RAF Laarbruch memories
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Rings a bell, probably an AOCs parade in April, maybe 1969 or 70, on the main runway. It snowed, we departed at the trot. I believe the AOC was not impressed, hence we did it all again the following week.
Laarbruch was always a favourite det. for us.
Loved the way a fog bank would appear above the heated pool in the early months of the year.
Loved the way all the heads broke off of the fire flails when one was discovered just over the road from the VASF pan and we had to hurriedly move 2 Canberras away from the quite large fire that ensued.
Loved the way a fog bank would appear above the heated pool in the early months of the year.
Loved the way all the heads broke off of the fire flails when one was discovered just over the road from the VASF pan and we had to hurriedly move 2 Canberras away from the quite large fire that ensued.
Laarbruch was a wonderful posting. 7 years and I loved every minute....
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2 tours in RAFG, Laarbruch 80's and Bruggen 90's. Both the highlights of my 22yrs.
However Laarbruch wins hands down. Better laid out, and in my opinion a better location.
Happy days!!!
However Laarbruch wins hands down. Better laid out, and in my opinion a better location.
Happy days!!!
Now overshadowed by the 1987 tragedy, but in the 1970’s the trek to Zeebrugge was a regular part of serving at Laarbruch.
So, to add to the praise of Laarbruch, I also had tours at Bruggen and Gutersloh (and the three at Laarbruch) and I can firmly state that LBH won hands down with Gutersloh a close second. My wife and I had 11 years in all in RAFG and I think we made the most of it - some of it with thanks to Oldsquipperman.
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RAFG, the photo is not Laarbruch, LL didn’t have that mast in the background. If it did chances are I would have had to climb it at sometime or other.
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" but in the 1970’s the trek to Zeebrugge was a regular part of serving at Laarbruch."
Ah yes, fond memories of the Antwerp tunnels....even more "entertaining " with a glider trailer in tow.
Never at LBH, but many visits c/o 431 as we got to go everywhere. Always a popular bolt hole when Bruggen decided go to war for a couple of days......also noted for having something ostensibly called a gliding club.....
Ah yes, fond memories of the Antwerp tunnels....even more "entertaining " with a glider trailer in tow.
Never at LBH, but many visits c/o 431 as we got to go everywhere. Always a popular bolt hole when Bruggen decided go to war for a couple of days......also noted for having something ostensibly called a gliding club.....
“Krystal n”
I guess you are referring to TRGC - RAFGs premier gliding club? . ��
I guess you are referring to TRGC - RAFGs premier gliding club? . ��
Join Date: Mar 2011
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It is Leuchars, we were on det there (TFM or APC?) and the aircrew threw 1000 pounders around, a bit of a change from their usual recce job. We erks lived under canvas by the SAR compound and took our turn at night doing armed guard (with pick axe handles) on Harriers. Unless I'm very much mistaken that's me (as a FLM) strapping the nav in with my mate Viv taking care of the pilot. Happy days.................................(and I do have some piccies of my time on II (AC) and later XV at Laarbruch somewhere but at the time we weren't allowed to take many and get away with it!)
So, to add to the praise of Laarbruch, I also had tours at Bruggen and Gutersloh (and the three at Laarbruch) and I can firmly state that LBH won hands down with Gutersloh a close second. My wife and I had 11 years in all in RAFG and I think we made the most of it - some of it with thanks to Oldsquipperman.
Substantially more, and of course some old scrotes hung on as ROs., Barrack Wardens and the like.
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Reading recent posts reminds me that, for many people of all ranks and persuasions, once you were on the RAFG circuit you stayed there. The rest of us never got a look in!!
ISTR a few Air Traffickers did RAFG/Shawbury Instructor/RAFG/Shawbury Examiner/RAFG etc. etc.
ISTR a few Air Traffickers did RAFG/Shawbury Instructor/RAFG/Shawbury Examiner/RAFG etc. etc.
Its a bit late now, but the trick to getting back to RAFG was to apply for everywhere else as soon as you returned to UK.
I NEVER applied for Germany....always for Hong Kong, Cyprus, Gibraltar...and got Germany!
I NEVER applied for Germany....always for Hong Kong, Cyprus, Gibraltar...and got Germany!
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still have a photo of a Mr G..F "expressing his sentiments " at an AGM........mind you, I did force myself to launch a few times from TRGC....just for the view Have to agree with Rigga about the posting strategy ..... and .you were far from alone here .....I'm sure it was a cunning ploy by Innsworth to reduce their workload.
You have to cast aside the rose-tinted glasses and admit that it was not all beer & skittles - I remember Mineval/Maxeval/Taceval season as hard, often unpleasant, work. But of course there were lots of pluses to compensate.
Talking of Mineval/Maxeval/Taceval, we had a det. to Laarbruch and it turned out that a Taceval was in operation.
Everyone was in masks and protective clothing.
A couple of us went down to SHQ to exchange GBP into DM's, over 12 to the £ IIRC, there we were accosted for not being properly dressed for the occasion.
This state went on for about another 2 days, no one had told RAFG that we never participated in any 'Vals. even at home.
Everyone was in masks and protective clothing.
A couple of us went down to SHQ to exchange GBP into DM's, over 12 to the £ IIRC
, there we were accosted for not being properly dressed for the occasion.This state went on for about another 2 days, no one had told RAFG that we never participated in any 'Vals. even at home.
I was posted into Laarbruch in June 1996, knowing that the base was on borrowed time.
On the 9th Jan 1997 (almost 23 years ago to the day), I was on a day shift in the Met Office (part of Ops Wg HQ) - it was early on in the morning and I generally watched every take off and landing, but on this morning I was talking to the forecaster Frank C about something when I heard a strange noise making me rush to the window. I later deduced that noise was the sound of an ejection seat being used in anger, but at the time all I saw was a Harrier hitting the runway hard, sliding along and then rolling inverting and exploding into a ball of flame. I've re-lived that moment a number of times in my head - part panic, part upset (I thought the pilot was still inside) and part professionalism - I NEED TO DO MY JOB! I jumped to and starting time-marking all the met instruments and proceeded with a 'crash observation' - my first in 5 years.
Very quickly a Puma launched and landed just opposite our office on the North side of the main runway and we quickly realised he was picking up the pilot. Thank God he managed to eject in time! I'm not sure I'm allowed to mention the pilots name here - D_n S_________r, but if you're reading this D_n, can I say, never have I been so relieved to hear you got out OK with I think just a broken angle/leg. I didn't know him, but it's funny how working in a tight knit FJ station like Laarbruch makes you feel like a family - cliche perhaps, but that's how it felt to me.
Happy days, the like of which will never be repeated again - I still consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity.
On the 9th Jan 1997 (almost 23 years ago to the day), I was on a day shift in the Met Office (part of Ops Wg HQ) - it was early on in the morning and I generally watched every take off and landing, but on this morning I was talking to the forecaster Frank C about something when I heard a strange noise making me rush to the window. I later deduced that noise was the sound of an ejection seat being used in anger, but at the time all I saw was a Harrier hitting the runway hard, sliding along and then rolling inverting and exploding into a ball of flame. I've re-lived that moment a number of times in my head - part panic, part upset (I thought the pilot was still inside) and part professionalism - I NEED TO DO MY JOB! I jumped to and starting time-marking all the met instruments and proceeded with a 'crash observation' - my first in 5 years.
Very quickly a Puma launched and landed just opposite our office on the North side of the main runway and we quickly realised he was picking up the pilot. Thank God he managed to eject in time! I'm not sure I'm allowed to mention the pilots name here - D_n S_________r, but if you're reading this D_n, can I say, never have I been so relieved to hear you got out OK with I think just a broken angle/leg. I didn't know him, but it's funny how working in a tight knit FJ station like Laarbruch makes you feel like a family - cliche perhaps, but that's how it felt to me.
Happy days, the like of which will never be repeated again - I still consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity.
Last edited by NickB; 7th Jan 2020 at 09:23.