RAF BRIZE NORTON ACCESS

[ROCKFISHER]

Hi all,later this year my son is due to fly out to Afghanistan (he is an infantry soldier).
He has suggested to me that i will be allowed to the airbase to see him depart.
My questions are:-

1 - Is there any chance of getting airside to get some pics.
2 - Will they take a dim view if i turn up with camera kit (50D & 100-400)
3 - If answer to Q1 is positive,who do i ask in advance,The camp commander?
4 - As i have previously held press passes,will that affect any security clearance.I should add that it didnt when i was invited to The infantry training garrison at catterick and was allowed to take pics including weapons!.....prior to the visit i had to fill out a security clearance form.

Many thanks for your advice...Pete

[ROCKFISHER]

I take it no one has tried this before then!!......sent email to their press officer and awaiting reply.....ill post update as soon as.

[Scout7id]

Good luck! Hope you get a positive reply and I hope your son returns home safely.

[ROCKFISHER]

Hi,had an email from the Raf Brize Norton press officer this morning.A very positive reply as well.They have stated that subject to security clearance they have no objections at all and i would be welcome to photograph both in the departure terminal and airside as well!!...I will need to agree that Any pictures taken are not released to press agencies or the press in general.

Now the next hurdle!!...They stated that i will need permission from The army press office HQ as it will be the army personal that i will be photographing but subject again to security clearance and the permission of my sons commanding officer that shouldnt be a problem and i can tell them that the RAF have in principle agreed.

I again will let you know how i get on.

[Cosha]

Im a weapons Tech For the MOD - not serving though!

My Armoury Has quite strict Laws on Photos and secrets (i hold alot of new kit)

You should be fine, as long as you get "WRITTEN PERMISION" i cant stress that enough! last thing i would want to happen is that they take all of your kit away from you - They can and will no questions asked - please get it on paper!

I would also recomend you take a lite kit with you, dont go all bells and whistles!

Also, remember that if you get the go ahead, please respect that some people deploying will not want a picture taken - as you know as your son is deploying (1st tour?) there will be a few upset people (you wont see it on there faces)

Apart from that Sir - I hope you son has a quick tour, and that his unit will come back safely! Give him my best wishes!

I expect your more proud of your son than the pictures you bring home!

Pm me when your pictures go live!

[ROCKFISHER]

Thanks for that,some great advice.And yes i am more proud of my son than anything in this world.It will be his first tour and he cant wait!!
I was allowed into catterick infantry training garrison and was allowed to photograph some weapons both individually and with men...these included SA80's,LMG'S,and GPMG'S i was also shown the laser indoor training range and had a go with a SA80!....also saw and took pics of captured iraqi weapons such as AK47 and a RPG and Launcher.
Again many thanks...PETE

[Cosha]

Ah the Good old DCCT Lazer Range! Agree Good Fun! Don't have to clean up weapons after you fired them!

I remember my first time on the trainer! Perfect headshot at 800 meters on a tango! turns out it was a woman running with her pram and child! :D she was no threat but she was holding something funny (that was her baby)

Good good fun!

We keep AK 74 / 47 And RPG's and the like - 50+ we use them for when the police want to look so they can get some hands on time and for the MOD too! always amases me how crudly there made!

I have a fire power demo on 31st so i hope to get some good shots!

When is his deployment! he will leave you a boy and return a man! i sent a private away last year fresh from basic, come back 6 month later looking 6 years older!!

Best of luck!

[FatAlbert]

Hi all,later this year my son is due to fly out to Afghanistan (he is an infantry soldier).
He has suggested to me that i will be allowed to the airbase to see him depart.
My questions are:-

1 - Is there any chance of getting airside to get some pics.
2 - Will they take a dim view if i turn up with camera kit (50D & 100-400)
3 - If answer to Q1 is positive,who do i ask in advance,The camp commander?
4 - As i have previously held press passes,will that affect any security clearance.I should add that it didnt when i was invited to The infantry training garrison at catterick and was allowed to take pics including weapons!.....prior to the visit i had to fill out a security clearance form.

Many thanks for your advice...Pete


Pete,
What sort of "airside pics" are you after? Your son climbing up the ac steps etc?, or the whole shooting match - aircraft - "departure lounge" - the unit getting on board ?

I'm only asking 'cos I have a friend at BZN who may be able to help/advise who the right contacts are. BTW any photos showing the MOD in a good light are generally welcomed.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

FA

[ROCKFISHER]

Pete,
What sort of "airside pics" are you after? Your son climbing up the ac steps etc?, or the whole shooting match - aircraft - "departure lounge" - the unit getting on board ?

I'm only asking 'cos I have a friend at BZN who may be able to help/advise who the right contacts are. BTW any photos showing the MOD in a good light are generally welcomed.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

FA

Thanks mate...i have had a very positive response from the Raf press officer with some great advice, and this coming week my son is asking his Commanding officer to approve my doing a shoot of the whole group going away.Once that is in place i am hopeful that written permission will be granted by the MOD.
Pete

[FatAlbert]

Thanks mate...i have had a very positive response from the Raf press officer with some great advice, and this coming week my son is asking his Commanding officer to approve my doing a shoot of the whole group going away.Once that is in place i am hopeful that written permission will be granted by the MOD.
Pete

Pete,
Good luck to you, hope that you can get the shots you want. And to your son, Stay Safe young man!

FA