Ah. On the return stopover to our trip (above) our CO ('PW') decided that we had far too much in the way of ammunition and that it would be wrong to return it to stores; they'd only store it.

He therefore ordered a range day, and after everyone had done all the right shooty things and a bit more, it became monotonous, until someone spotted a lone shitehawk at 11 o'clock high. The poor beast then became the most persecuted bird in history (I've little doubt) as every GPMG and rifle in our group took careful aim on it - for some reason there was a huge overload of tracer. If that's what happens to you as a fighter pilot when the Messerschmidts come out to play, I'm glad I joined the military Army.

Our bloodlust sated, we were lucky to have a WRAF trolley dolly with us on the way back to Brize. The skirt was a bad idea, though. The only way to and from the tailgate was over the central divide.

Originally Posted by Whiskybreath

Ah. On the return stopover to our trip (above) our CO ('PW') decided that we had far too much in the way of ammunition and that it would be wrong to return it to stores; they'd only store it.

He therefore ordered a range day, and after everyone had done all the right shooty things and a bit more, it became monotonous, until someone spotted a lone shitehawk at 11 o'clock high. The poor beast then became the most persecuted bird in history (I've little doubt) as every GPMG and rifle in our group took careful aim on it - for some reason there was a huge overload of tracer. If that's what happens to you as a fighter pilot when the Messerschmidts come out to play, I'm glad I joined the military Army.

Our bloodlust sated, we were lucky to have a WRAF trolley dolly with us on the way back to Brize. The skirt was a bad idea, though. The only way to and from the tailgate was over the central divide.

Do you actually even know someone in the army? I hope your post was a wah, because otherwise either you have a vivid imagination or are going senile.

Originally Posted by greenbaggyskin

I had the mixed fortune to have a short stay there about 3 weeks after 9/11. The place was absolutely buzzing with US forces and there was not a square inch of apron or dispersal space to be had. It was a crap base, but a very interesting short stay with more exotic and little-known hardware on show than I had seen in my entire service.

The Americans used Masirah as a staging post in 1979/80 when they attempted to release the hostages in Tehran.

The whole operation was a major cock-up and I was told it started on Masirah when two of their transport aircraft nearly collided on the ground. For some reason the approach to the start of the runway crossed it. So at night with full security and no lights, aircraft A was just beginning its take-off when aircraft B crossed in front of it.

They missed each other by a whisker.

Only went there once enroute from Malta to Ethiopia - don't ask! My biggest and worst memory was of naked RAF types sauntering around a swimming pool.

Spent 9 months there. Army weren't normally there for that length of time but we were seconded to DOE for a ship/shore pipeline. In 9 months I might have done 90 days work! Saved a bucket load of money, got a tan and arrived back in UK just in time for the fantastic summer of '76. Good times.

Originally Posted by Balleh

The Americans used Masirah as a staging post in 1979/80 when they attempted to release the hostages in Tehran.

The whole operation was a major cock-up and I was told it started on Masirah when two of their transport aircraft nearly collided on the ground. For some reason the approach to the start of the runway crossed it. So at night with full security and no lights, aircraft A was just beginning its take-off when aircraft B crossed in front of it.

They missed each other by a whisker.

Almost a full rehearsal for Iran then.

Originally Posted by Madtyke

This is the Russian way of dealing with Somali pirates

Pirates may have Perished!

Maybe every navy in the gulf should use this technique. They'd soon stop it.

Funny that, a similar sort of thing happened in Beirut just before Terry Waite was lifted. A Russian was lifted and disappeared into the Beirut ether, so the KGB CP team went out and lifted the highest ranking member of the appropriate clan, removed an ear and sent it along with a note detailing how other bodyparts would follow unless their comrade was released. The Russian was back home have Weetabix by breakfast time.

Was there for 48 hours 74 returning from Hong Kong , aircraft broke down, RAF said replacement aircraft wold arrive 12 hours later, but we were stuck for 48hours in those in those fcking the hours in those fculing tents

Originally Posted by mattbarr

Was there for 48 hours 74 returning from Hong Kong , aircraft broke down, RAF said replacement aircraft wold arrive 12 hours later, but we were stuck for 48hours in those in those fcking the hours in those fculing tents

Can you try those last lines lines in English please, or are you pished?

Originally Posted by sapperbraindead

Maybe somebody can help me with this.I vaguely recall being told a Sultan during the 19th century punished the inhabitants of the island for piracy.They were not allowed to build permanent homes,and were only allowed very small boats to fish with,so they couldn't reach the mainland of Oman.
Possibly a good way of dealing with the Somalis!
Think I was in the Crazy Horse Saloon? (fire section) bar waiting for flight to Cyprus,or I might be hallucinating again

Crazy horse saloon, that takes me back. Remember getting pissed in there quite a few times, was a nice change after salalah, no fucker trying to kill us, apart from the RAF cooks of course

Originally Posted by Mexeman

Can you try those last lines lines in English please, or are you pished?

Slightly pished,stuck there for 48 hrs in two man bivvys on the airfield, when the wind got up the sand got everywhere glad to get out of there