New British Overseas Bases
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its the sort of beer filled hole 2 Group pilots love. Always somewhere interesting to explore and something to do. Sure it may be somewhat provincial, but the locals generally love us and the rum is cheap!
Ah yes, I remember British Guiana, for I was a co-pilot in Hastings 340 from RAF Colerne that landed at Atkinson Air Force Base (Georgetown) in June 1964. We were on a training flight the purpose of which was to give crews experience of aerodromes that might be used if we were to establish a 'slip' pattern to support the rapid positioning of troops to quell insurgencies.
The plan was to visit the NAAFI that supported the British Army outpost based by the aerodrome so as to acquire relatively inexpensive booze that we would take with us to our next stop in Barbados for a party that had been arranged by the RAF Association. First we had to night-stop, and were just being welcomed into the Mess on the first floor of a building when an insurgent in the adjacent jungle opened up on us with a machine-gun. Our army hosts hit the floor instantly and we were no more than a few nano-seconds behind them! The threat was contained, thought I don't remember how, and - a little jittery - we all repaired to bed on the ground floor. Early in the morning whilst we were still asleep there was sudden BANG just outside our dormitory that got us awake in an instant! This was not a renewed assault on us but a starter cartridge being fired to get a Whirlwind helicopter engine going. We had no idea that the aircraft had been parked there overnight!
We didn't tarry that morning but bought the drinks and scurried off to Barbados were we were forced to extend our stay to avoid some rather nasty weather that was brewing.
And so I do remember British Guiana, but wouldn't criticise it based upon my experience there more than half a century ago!
The plan was to visit the NAAFI that supported the British Army outpost based by the aerodrome so as to acquire relatively inexpensive booze that we would take with us to our next stop in Barbados for a party that had been arranged by the RAF Association. First we had to night-stop, and were just being welcomed into the Mess on the first floor of a building when an insurgent in the adjacent jungle opened up on us with a machine-gun. Our army hosts hit the floor instantly and we were no more than a few nano-seconds behind them! The threat was contained, thought I don't remember how, and - a little jittery - we all repaired to bed on the ground floor. Early in the morning whilst we were still asleep there was sudden BANG just outside our dormitory that got us awake in an instant! This was not a renewed assault on us but a starter cartridge being fired to get a Whirlwind helicopter engine going. We had no idea that the aircraft had been parked there overnight!
We didn't tarry that morning but bought the drinks and scurried off to Barbados were we were forced to extend our stay to avoid some rather nasty weather that was brewing.
And so I do remember British Guiana, but wouldn't criticise it based upon my experience there more than half a century ago!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Having experienced Belize City in the 1970s, with such highlights as Sweetwater canal, I would hesitate to criticise Georgetown. I rather enjoyed my 10 weeks there.
UK already has a base in Singapore.
Long read here on the challenges and merits of the argument - https://thinpinstripedline.********....l-britain.html
Long read here on the challenges and merits of the argument - https://thinpinstripedline.********....l-britain.html
Thin Pinstriped Line: Global Bases for a Global Britain?
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And of course we’ll need another Group HQ to look after these....another 2*, lots of 1*s etc...great
Given a quiz to guess how many Groups are actually in the RAF today, I suspect even those serving would struggle (Clue...a number between 5 & 7)...keep awake at the back now !
Given a quiz to guess how many Groups are actually in the RAF today, I suspect even those serving would struggle (Clue...a number between 5 & 7)...keep awake at the back now !
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
Why would we need an RAF presence, let alone a group, for a naval supply base? Might need a couple of suppliers in exchange to support aircraft spares I suppose...
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Doesn’t need to be ‘re-activated’ as it’s already in use as one of the Field Army training bases. Up and running and in good order by all accounts!
There I was thinking the US Army could pick the world's worst places to locate a Base.....the RAF must be learning from my Army!
Looking at satellite photos it would appear Gan is being used again; it's labelled 'Gan International Airport' and there are a few light aircraft visible along with traces of recent work at the western end of the runway which appears to have 3 thresholds marked on it!
Then there's also the airfield built on the British owned but US operated Diego Garcia; appears to have plenty of spare parking space, surely the Americans wouldn't object to an RAF contingent there (or would it disrupt the operations which they carry out and which we're not supposed to know about)
Then there's also the airfield built on the British owned but US operated Diego Garcia; appears to have plenty of spare parking space, surely the Americans wouldn't object to an RAF contingent there (or would it disrupt the operations which they carry out and which we're not supposed to know about)
There is always the Guantanamo, Cuba base (Gitmo) the Americans continue to operate that has a very nice airfield with lots of room to expand, a second disused air field that could be re-opened, Port facilities, and harbor.....along with some very secure housing going mostly empty.
There is always the Guantanamo, Cuba base (Gitmo) the Americans continue to operate that has a very nice airfield with lots of room to expand, a second disused air field that could be re-opened, Port facilities, and harbor.....along with some very secure housing going mostly empty.
Are the Defence ministers raving mad? We cannot even man / person our ships or recruit for the army yet dreams of empire resurface. Surely there are enough real threats around without dreaming of expansion........ I thought the two carriers were a step too far but really ................... !
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Are the Defence ministers raving mad? We cannot even man / person our ships or recruit for the army yet dreams of empire resurface. Surely there are enough real threats around without dreaming of expansion........ I thought the two carriers were a step too far but really ................... !
Re-open RAF Wick'.
In September 1964, Wick was re- opened for a major exercise, when I had just started the MOTU course at Kinloss. The more advanced students on MOTU were formed into crews with their instructors, but we lowly beginners found ourselves at Wick organising accomodation, rationing and anything else needed. We also combined controlling the rabbit population with providing fresh meat to the mess kitchens.
Been there, done that.
In September 1964, Wick was re- opened for a major exercise, when I had just started the MOTU course at Kinloss. The more advanced students on MOTU were formed into crews with their instructors, but we lowly beginners found ourselves at Wick organising accomodation, rationing and anything else needed. We also combined controlling the rabbit population with providing fresh meat to the mess kitchens.
In September 1964, Wick was re- opened for a major exercise, when I had just started the MOTU course at Kinloss. The more advanced students on MOTU were formed into crews with their instructors, but we lowly beginners found ourselves at Wick organising accomodation, rationing and anything else needed. We also combined controlling the rabbit population with providing fresh meat to the mess kitchens.
It was only de-mobbed in '98.
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Yes the air-con in the accommodation was "excellent" and the bitching from the PS about the use of the Stornoway Wedge was indeed music to our ears!
Last edited by weemonkey; 2nd Jan 2019 at 15:32.
Cunning Artificer
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The Sergeant's Mess at Gan is a lot nicer now than it was back in the day - and even then it was the best place to stay on the island.