Memories of RAFG
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Often in Jersey, but mainly in the past.
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May I just say that I really really regret not having done RAFG in those days .. or ever, actually.
I read on with reinforcement of the things I had heard in the past.
I read on with reinforcement of the things I had heard in the past.
Laarbruch c 1976
At the post Taceval wash up when Laarbruch got a ‘2’ for ‘Strike’ having inadvertently launched a strike against a ‘withheld’ target Gp Capt Mike Knight declared ‘If Laarbruch don’t get a ‘1’ next year ‘my cock’s a kipper’ !’
The distaff guys in front of me, can’t recall if they were German or Cloggie, said something to each other sounding similar to ‘was ist mein Hahne ist ein haring’ ?
At the post Taceval wash up when Laarbruch got a ‘2’ for ‘Strike’ having inadvertently launched a strike against a ‘withheld’ target Gp Capt Mike Knight declared ‘If Laarbruch don’t get a ‘1’ next year ‘my cock’s a kipper’ !’
The distaff guys in front of me, can’t recall if they were German or Cloggie, said something to each other sounding similar to ‘was ist mein Hahne ist ein haring’ ?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: avro country
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However a lot of us had two squadrons of buccs to download at 'endex' so we never made the bar unless the ex finished early afternoon.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Having been posted into Laarbruch as an SAC aircraft electrical mech, recently married without kids I had no chance of getting married quarters. After a few weeks of searching around I got a two bedroomed private flat at Phalzdorf which was about 14 miles from camp. Eight flats, two Brits couples and six German family's. It was brilliant as we stayed away from camp at the weekends and socialised with the locals.
Friday evening would start with me and my wife getting home to find our next door neighbour Artur, sitting on a crate of beer outside our flat and spending the whole of Friday evening apologising for WW2. I didn't know much German and he didn't know much English but we communicated in beer language. It worked and we became good friends.
The couple below us had two young kids and when I was on nights, Elka would invite me for coffee around 11 am. A great life and I wish that the cold war could be brought back again. I would certainly volunteer.
Friday evening would start with me and my wife getting home to find our next door neighbour Artur, sitting on a crate of beer outside our flat and spending the whole of Friday evening apologising for WW2. I didn't know much German and he didn't know much English but we communicated in beer language. It worked and we became good friends.
The couple below us had two young kids and when I was on nights, Elka would invite me for coffee around 11 am. A great life and I wish that the cold war could be brought back again. I would certainly volunteer.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dark Side of West Wales
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Gutersloh c.1959 Two lads and two local lassie's go for a night out in Bielefeld. Great time had by all but driving proving difficult do to the amount of alcohol consumed. The road back to camp was lined with rather substantial trees which was common place in RAFG at that time. Car (Opel Rekord) travelling at about 60 kph accidentally clips a tree which causes said car to perform a barrel role. Car lands back on all four wheels, engine still running though out of gear but now with no glass in windows, roof a good six inches lower, two hysterical women, though thank God no one actually hurt. Quite amazing really as we did not have seat belts in those days.
The shock of the incident seemed to sober us up and it was decided to take the girls back to their homes in the town. Later arriving back at camp at about three in the morning. Wave 1250's out of window and barrier raised to let us in. Drove car off quickly and park it outside of our accommodation.
Next morning standing in the shower owner of said Opel says to occupant of the adjoining shower that he had a really bad dream and that in the dream he had written his car off. The chap in the other shower then asks him if he has seen his car this morning and the full horror is then revealed.
Later in the crew room a plot is hatched to take the car out of the camp and roll it into a large and deep ditch to claim the insurance.
That saga is perhaps for another time.
The shock of the incident seemed to sober us up and it was decided to take the girls back to their homes in the town. Later arriving back at camp at about three in the morning. Wave 1250's out of window and barrier raised to let us in. Drove car off quickly and park it outside of our accommodation.
Next morning standing in the shower owner of said Opel says to occupant of the adjoining shower that he had a really bad dream and that in the dream he had written his car off. The chap in the other shower then asks him if he has seen his car this morning and the full horror is then revealed.
Later in the crew room a plot is hatched to take the car out of the camp and roll it into a large and deep ditch to claim the insurance.
That saga is perhaps for another time.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Laarbruch, and the dreaded Tornados are coming to boot the Bucc's out!
It's a Tuesday and JT Rigga is on Keys & Teas.
The first Torpedo arrives and is gently manipulated and polished into a slot in MEAS under the Station Forms Store. The Towing Team consisted of three Chiefs, one Flt Sgt and another Flt Sgt on Brakes. I watched from the Tea-Bar door on the mezzanine.
Almost a coach load of RAFP turn up and a pristine White Rope Cordon on polished Oak Stands is placed around the beast of the future and a single and lowly acting cpl rafp is placed within the Cordon to protect this new bringer of doom.
Threats are made to the Bucc population to prevent 'sabotage'!
At 1700 the hangar empties and JT Rigga does his rounds and subsequently delivers the keys to the guardroom..job done.
At 2030 there is a knock at 26 Teddar Cres... Man in Bluer woolly Pilley and white hate says "You have left the hangar unlocked Return and lock the fire door at the Blast Wall end, NOW!"
Oops! I'll get on my bike and be there in a tick....(thinking 'silly little rigga' all the way there)
Wednesday, Hangar Controller not too impressed!
At 1700 Rigga does the rounds again and by 1730 hands keys in....At 1930 theres a knock at the door..."WOT! AGAIN???" Multiple apologies and checking of the doors again, home by 2030.
The following evening, at the front door, I am told I will be charged with neglect the following day! I lock up again knowing that I have locked all the doors properly.
At 0830 - after being bollocked 'somewhat' be several persons of rank, I pick up a clipboard and do a survey of the hangar's security. I ask questions in all sections and do walk around internally and externally. I spend the day writing my observations...
I am summoned to the Flt Sgt's office and asked if there is anything I want to say before the charge goes ahead. I show him my findings and he reads it...all of it.
In my defence I found that although ASF locks up and 'secures' the hangar, VASS, the Bays, GEF, Stores and the Armoury are still working in the hangar. Many of the staff walk through the doors that I had closed to leave work. Many of the personnel in the sections also had personal (and illegal) keys. There were several wood-framed (and probably original) windows allowing direct access to the Hangar Floor - and all with broken clasps that did not work - rending the hangar floor insecure in any case.
My final conclusion was that the RAFP probably had not conducted any sort of security survey (of the camp or hangar) prior to allowing the new thermo-nuclear clump onto the floor....
I wasn't charged.
It's a Tuesday and JT Rigga is on Keys & Teas.
The first Torpedo arrives and is gently manipulated and polished into a slot in MEAS under the Station Forms Store. The Towing Team consisted of three Chiefs, one Flt Sgt and another Flt Sgt on Brakes. I watched from the Tea-Bar door on the mezzanine.
Almost a coach load of RAFP turn up and a pristine White Rope Cordon on polished Oak Stands is placed around the beast of the future and a single and lowly acting cpl rafp is placed within the Cordon to protect this new bringer of doom.
Threats are made to the Bucc population to prevent 'sabotage'!
At 1700 the hangar empties and JT Rigga does his rounds and subsequently delivers the keys to the guardroom..job done.
At 2030 there is a knock at 26 Teddar Cres... Man in Bluer woolly Pilley and white hate says "You have left the hangar unlocked Return and lock the fire door at the Blast Wall end, NOW!"
Oops! I'll get on my bike and be there in a tick....(thinking 'silly little rigga' all the way there)
Wednesday, Hangar Controller not too impressed!
At 1700 Rigga does the rounds again and by 1730 hands keys in....At 1930 theres a knock at the door..."WOT! AGAIN???" Multiple apologies and checking of the doors again, home by 2030.
The following evening, at the front door, I am told I will be charged with neglect the following day! I lock up again knowing that I have locked all the doors properly.
At 0830 - after being bollocked 'somewhat' be several persons of rank, I pick up a clipboard and do a survey of the hangar's security. I ask questions in all sections and do walk around internally and externally. I spend the day writing my observations...
I am summoned to the Flt Sgt's office and asked if there is anything I want to say before the charge goes ahead. I show him my findings and he reads it...all of it.
In my defence I found that although ASF locks up and 'secures' the hangar, VASS, the Bays, GEF, Stores and the Armoury are still working in the hangar. Many of the staff walk through the doors that I had closed to leave work. Many of the personnel in the sections also had personal (and illegal) keys. There were several wood-framed (and probably original) windows allowing direct access to the Hangar Floor - and all with broken clasps that did not work - rending the hangar floor insecure in any case.
My final conclusion was that the RAFP probably had not conducted any sort of security survey (of the camp or hangar) prior to allowing the new thermo-nuclear clump onto the floor....
I wasn't charged.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Ahhh wobbly... And Jever Pils that turned your poo black.....
Around '68. Elderly cpl, in uniform, returning from a session in the Post; apprehended at the gate by plod who wanted to lock him up for D&D. You can't do that says cpl, I'm the Duty Armourer.
That was the year we missed news of the moon landing; what a day to press the hooter.
That was the year we missed news of the moon landing; what a day to press the hooter.
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Buster15... now that you mention it, I remember in the First Gulf War, after the declaration, the Tornados launching from Bruggen. We lived in Montfort on the Dutch side, they went off in the evening and I wished them God's Speed. Later in the following morning they returned and as I had counted them out, I counted them back in again.
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Top secret Jaguar base and planned visit by Tarzan ( Michael Hesseltime ) the Defence Minister of the time named for wearing an old DPM parka..
As they did at the time we were selected to host his visit to a frontline squadron and a HAS was selected, we move out and German contractors moved in, years of exhaust grime is removed by shot blasting the whole of the interior metal structure and includes the floors, all the internal structure is then repainted and the floor sealed bringing the HAS back to an immaculate as built state.... Jaguars are positioned in the HAS and an impressive display of weaponry is set up in front with the Squadrons number picked out in 30mm Aden round belts...
The scene is set...
And then the decision is made that after his visit to see the Jags, he will be entertained while the weaponry is removed and he will then watch a wartime scramble with the guys in full NBC kit...
So, onto the morning of the visit and literally hours before his arrival I am told to nip out and fuel the Jags, requesting them to be dragged outside I am told no as all the weaponry is position ( and it took them ages to do) I point out to no avail that the rear Jag is renound for venting and I am told to get on with it.... Anyway, out I go and start refuelling, true to form the damned thing starts venting by the gallon, HAS flooded and despite my protestations it's all my fault.
Panic stations on the Sqn and bags and bags of chicken **** dumped on the pristine floor to absorb it all then swept up leaving a slight crunch under foot and a huge chicken **** stain that stands out a mile in the immaculate HAS.
As they did at the time we were selected to host his visit to a frontline squadron and a HAS was selected, we move out and German contractors moved in, years of exhaust grime is removed by shot blasting the whole of the interior metal structure and includes the floors, all the internal structure is then repainted and the floor sealed bringing the HAS back to an immaculate as built state.... Jaguars are positioned in the HAS and an impressive display of weaponry is set up in front with the Squadrons number picked out in 30mm Aden round belts...
The scene is set...
And then the decision is made that after his visit to see the Jags, he will be entertained while the weaponry is removed and he will then watch a wartime scramble with the guys in full NBC kit...
So, onto the morning of the visit and literally hours before his arrival I am told to nip out and fuel the Jags, requesting them to be dragged outside I am told no as all the weaponry is position ( and it took them ages to do) I point out to no avail that the rear Jag is renound for venting and I am told to get on with it.... Anyway, out I go and start refuelling, true to form the damned thing starts venting by the gallon, HAS flooded and despite my protestations it's all my fault.
Panic stations on the Sqn and bags and bags of chicken **** dumped on the pristine floor to absorb it all then swept up leaving a slight crunch under foot and a huge chicken **** stain that stands out a mile in the immaculate HAS.
Further to #29, the HQ building looked much the same when we (by then HQ 2Gp) left on 31 March 1996. (A small handful of residual staff for Host Nation-related purposes stayed on, presumably till Bruggen closed as a RAF base.)
1 tour in RAFG towards the end of the F4 mud moving days.
IF YOU CAN REMEMBER RAFG.........you weren't there!
IF YOU CAN REMEMBER RAFG.........you weren't there!
Buster15... now that you mention it, I remember in the First Gulf War, after the declaration, the Tornados launching from Bruggen. We lived in Montfort on the Dutch side, they went off in the evening and I wished them God's Speed. Later in the following morning they returned and as I had counted them out, I counted them back in again. Aviation is a wonderful fellowship, I worked in ATC at Eurocontrol/Maastricht UAC. Happy days, now behind me. Just my thoughts.
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Laarbruch 1978 GDT training and we are being lectured on the kinds of biological weapons there are. One bright spark raises his arm and asks the instructor if rabies were ever used said instructor nearly chokes laughing and apologises for the hysterics and says excuse me but I just pictured in my mind a Buccaneer going low level over Russia with Alsatians attached to the pylons cue whole class now in hysterics and one rather embarrassed classmate.
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Bruggen GDT centre and perusing the horror board of photos put up as a warning, the poor Waaf Smoking in bed naked and burnt to a crisp to the waist, everything else untouched, the horrific pictures of the poor kid glue sniffing in front of the gas fire and the flash welding the bag to his face, the pictures of the car after the Armourer trainees been given a block of semtex and told to use enough to blow a door open, and the resulting crater with the engine block some distance away... and finally the Xray of some guy side on with the snapped off flute of a champagne glass up inside his rectum..... anyone else remember those?
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Last edited by NutLoose; 9th Nov 2017 at 11:13.
Thread Starter
Ladies & Gentlemen,
This has been a fantastic response, I'll try and get round to you all in due course via PM!
Anymore are certainly welcome.
FB
This has been a fantastic response, I'll try and get round to you all in due course via PM!
Anymore are certainly welcome.
FB