No disrespect to anybody serving on UK Sqns, but in my experience I would say that Rigga’s statement is more applicable to UK Sqns rather than the Sqns that used to be based in Germany.

Germany was more of a way of life than just another job. That way of life produced a special pride, that to be honest I did not see when serving on UK Sqns.

I always said that when they closed RAF Bruggen (the last operational flying station in Germany) the RAF lost more than a station; it lost a culture and a way of life that could never be replaced.

But the pride sticks forever. I know for a fact that the support from ex Germany “RAF techies” for Sqns such as the Crusaders and the Goldstars is still immense!

Just my opinion so please no offence intended to anybody serving on any UK based sqn

I served both at Bruggen (2 tours), Lossie (1 tour) and Marham (++ tours) and can't say I saw any difference, other than the lifestyle in Germany led to a few more parties etc.

I guess it depends, as someone said earlier, on the personalities at the time.

You must have been on the wrong Sqn(s):sad::E:rolleyes:

Perhaps I didn't put that quite right. I had a great time on all the sqns, mucho pride in the history and good mates, but it didn't seem to matter whether that was UK or Germany based (the parties in Germany were usually better, with one exception: a certain East Anglian Happy Hour at Wattisham :yuk:).

Likewise, three tours at Laarbruch, one at Bruggen and one at Gutersloh. Only the social life changed, not the work.

I also did 15 years on heli's and 11 on jets at all levels of maintenance.

And if there was ever a 'drop' in standards it was often due to Tornado "type casts" (those who'd never worked on anything else). They were often long-serving sqn personnel who thought they were the best but never really produced good standards - they just did some box-changing and got something to fly tomorrow, but not likely to fly for long after that. What I used to call a "First Wave Wonder" or what was once known as "War Go-ers" - not expected to return.

Marham vs Lossie
 

F3sRBest,

Thank you for pointing out my incomplete quote and apologies for the error - funny place to put the important information though! I note that in this case "discontinued" does not mean "cancelled" and the entry goes on to say the work may be re-advertised. So I guess that means all options remain very much open despite rumours down here in Norfolk!

JB

Rigga

Not heard that one for a long time, but I do remember it being said at a N Lincs Airbase, even on our shiney one's - well before the advent of the FSBA Squadron's at EGYM.

As for standards, now days we like to say ''Get it out of town'' DDPG/MEL Approved like on T*.

Rigga, you should not talk about the fairies like that, they did try their best, honest:E:E

Seriously though, sadly there is an element of truth in what you say.
I think it was a mixture of bad habits and corner cutting emphasised by low morale and general apathy from a certain corner of the Tornado world (in the early days) that somehow seemed to spread to the other areas of the Tornado world. I had a 5 year gap in my Tornado years and when I returned I was amazed (and bloody annoyed) at the drop in standards. A lot of it was due to a lack of in-depth knowledge of the jet, because as you say, a lot of them had spent their entire lives on Sqns and not been taught any different. :(:(

Ah yes Rects Sqn TTTE. One brill shift, one carp one. Thank F I "only" did 6 months there before heading to Laarpads for a brilliant but hard worked tour.:ok::ok::ok:

Work hard-Play hard

.................picking up twigs:E:E

16 Squadron - glorious!

after the local elections on may 5th!

So there isn't even a date yet?