I have a son in the RAF who is about to be deployed to Afghanistan next month, I just wondered if anyone here on the forum has family serving there?
I'm sure the whole forum will be thinking of you and your son. As they were when my daughter and son-in-law both deployed to Afghan at the same time. They returned about a year ago now, after deploying 2 weeks after they were married.
Fortunately they both returned safe and sound, well physically anyway, neither my daughter or son-in-law have mentioned much about their tour, but things have started to come out slowly. Both of them are Combat Medics and so were subject to the immediate aftermath of any incidents, my daughter was out on the ground at a Patrol Base and was on patrol in the middle of a contact when one of 'her lads' (as she called them) was unfortunately killed by an IED, whereas my S-I-L was based at Camp Bastion, where you would have thought he would have been safe, but he was dealing with the poor souls being flown in by the MERT and transferring them to the Base Hospital, this included Afghan civilians including many children.
As I said the forum will be thinking of your family during this stressful time, and it is stressful for the families back home especially when the doorbell rings and you're not expecting anyone, your heart leaps and you walk slowly to the door, hoping to god that there isn't a uniformed person the other side and the relief when you open the door and it's the delivery person with your latest purchase from Hattons, is immeasurable.
Good luck to your son, I'm only glad my family have completed their tour and won't be going back.
Regards
Neal.
Your lad is in good hands. I served in Northern Ireland and the Falklands. The Armed Forces are a breed apart, we look after each other. Whether RAF, Army or Navy the lads will look after you and you will look after them. When HMS Coventry was hit by an exocet missile and had to abandon ship, they were singing 'Always look on the bright side of life' because nothing fazes a serviceman. There is no 9 to 5 for us, whinging cos the trains late or the boss asked us to work overtime, every night tucked up in a nice warm bed. We volunteered and knew the risks, we always hope it will never happen, but it if does we are ready and together as a band of brothers we did our duty. I am proud of the servicemen who went before me and who now serve and who will serve in the future, only they will know the true meaning of friendship and trust, your life is in their hands as theirs is in yours. Britain may be going down the pan, but our service men and women are the finest in the world.
Your boy will serve and he will change, but he will be the better for it, because he will know the true meaning of trust and friendship a civilian can never comprehend.
Regards
Ian
Never a truer word spoken Ian..
Cheers
Mark
Thanks for the encouraging posts gents but its a very unsettling feeling even though he is nearly 40! He's assured me that everything should be as best as it can be considering the circumstances. I'm not sure what his role will be but all I know he has high security clearance.
Back here in the UK he's in the RAF and his role is to do with ATC watching our sky's.
Regards
David
All I can do is send respect and best wishes.
David
my niece, bored with life in the UK, got a job with the company that runs the NAAFI shops. She is on her second tour in Afghan and loves it. Before you thing "oh she just works in a shop", yes she does but she lives in a tent with the regulars, has her own body armour, her own alert shelter and often has to jump in a Chinook to collect or delivery supplies. She eats, sleeps, goes to the gym and works with the 'regulars' even taking money from the Americans at poker ;)
I am fortunate that in my time in the RAF I never had to go into a live war zone but I know, and still work with, many who do. There are strict guidelines for doing everything out there, processes and procedures are kept very tight and for good reason, it makes the safety and security of everyone more efficient.
Given his trade there are 2 or 3 roles he may undertake, all of which, you will be pleased to know, should not see him out on the frontline in an armoured car, in fact he is probably more likely to gat addicted to coffee ;)
Please keep us all updated on his progress when you can, and be assured you will always find support from like minded folks on here
Ditto the above posts
Quote from: Lawrence on July 19, 2013, 03:03:22 PM
David
my niece, bored with life in the UK, got a job with the company that runs the NAAFI shops. She is on her second tour in Afghan and loves it. Before you thing "oh she just works in a shop", yes she does but she lives in a tent with the regulars, has her own body armour, her own alert shelter and often has to jump in a Chinook to collect or delivery supplies. She eats, sleeps, goes to the gym and works with the 'regulars' even taking money from the Americans at poker ;)
I am fortunate that in my time in the RAF I never had to go into a live war zone but I know, and still work with, many who do. There are strict guidelines for doing everything out there, processes and procedures are kept very tight and for good reason, it makes the safety and security of everyone more efficient.
Given his trade there are 2 or 3 roles he may undertake, all of which, you will be pleased to know, should not see him out on the frontline in an armoured car, in fact he is probably more likely to gat addicted to coffee ;)
Please keep us all updated on his progress when you can, and be assured you will always find support from like minded folks on here
Hi Lawrence, for what its worth your niece and the people she works with have a fantastic reputation. Whilst chatting to my son over a pint he did tell me there is no NAAFi out there as we know it, but it is nicknamed the "Board Walk" where there is almost every kind of meal to eat etc. He went on to describe it as like a small high street!
The big guy flys out there in August and his TOD will be for 6 months so I am already looking forward to another meet up soon and of course a pint with him in February.
Thanks for your post Lawrence really appreciated, I'll keep you and the guys updated.
Regards
David
I served with the Royal Engineers for 8 years from 1998-2006, including tours of Bosnia and Afgahnistan. As stated Before the training all 3 services receive are second to none. Your lad will be in good hands and well looked after.
All the best to you and your family over the next few months. :thumbsup:
Proud of all our lads and lasses out in dangerous places.
:beers:
Dave G