RAF AFGHAN DIARIES: SPECIAL FEATURE -- WEAPONS RANGE

SPECIAL FEATURE: It's a hot, dusty day in Afghanistan and Paul, along with the other troops from 51 Squadron RAF Regiment are heading to a firing range to test fire the squad's weapon systems. It's the first time off base for many of the men and some are understandably nervous. Whilst on the range the troops fire a range of weapons, including lightweight machine guns, the landrover mounted .50 calibre heavy machine gun and Paul's personal favourite, the 51mm mortar.


The RAF has given Paul Goodfellow a handheld video and a small 'lipstick' camera to create his films; he has no previous experience as a cameraman. His videos are checked in Kandahar to ensure they don't include any sensitive data, then sent to London and posted online.

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[FalklandsPortal]

Alot of people dwell on how the RAF Regt aren't ''proper soldiers'', but the fact that they see so little action around these bases is testament to their skill in preventing the attacks in the first place.

That, afterall, is what they are there for.

Come home safe lads.

[Heggity08]

the raf are infantry mate, except they protect air bases and go on a litlle less patrols

and as to the army being best, what does it matter were all fighting the same cause here so dont bitch ps Royal Marine Commandos, the best

[googlymoogly54321]

@Taity991 if the terrorists blow up the world, we all die, where is the solution in that, you tell me?

[Taity991]

bring our fuckin soldiers bacleave dem fuckin taliban terrorists bin laden followers to blow de fuckin world up if they want

[SpecJack15]

@GARGLER42 1 .50cal round will burn flesh within 8 inches away from the skin though. Quoted from a US Army Specialist serving in Afghanistan at Outpost Restrepo.

[GARGLER42]

A .50 cal mg round will NOT "tear your arm off with a near miss."

It punches nice neat .50 holes in paper targets held on wooden frames - even at 200m.

[20philfitz08]

lovin the video's boyz!! wot about convictios plz mail me about them plz.. nice1 boyz.. respect 2 evry1 out ther well done boys..

[MrNobodyGivesAFuck]

@FalklandsPortal well that is changing, as it is well known the raf regiment is coming into more contact with the taliban, and I've had a chat with a currently serving raf regiment gunner on raf website and he say's, every day the taliban try and attack raf bases with small arms fire and mortors. its the regiments job to parol the area surrounding the base to make it hard for the taliban to even attempt attacking a base

[Xxj4yfir3xX]

dang, how dangerous is it out there?

[royalairforce]

@BillionaireBastard91 Hi, yep, just sent you a message back!

[TheRealTaco87]

Don't tell me you Brits have interservice rivalry too. Geez louis!