Special Forces at RAF Valley 16.9.11 (Heavy Post)

[flyingslug_0]

Hi All, spent a very pleasant 5 days at Anglesey, spent 3 days at Valley and 1 day at Cad West. The SAS and SBS were there and we had to wait till the very day we were to leave before they started their training. I've not cropped the shots to show any faces in detail. We were amaed to watch the Chinook go "fishing" and then for the guys to jump out with their speed boats and come ashore. Some of the shots are for the record more than anything.
1.

RAF Valley 065 by craigsluman, on Flickr
2.

RAF Valley 072 by craigsluman, on Flickr
2a

RAF Valley 079 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 055 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 088 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 098-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 167-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 131 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 182-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 162 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 104-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 123-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 194 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 197 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 201 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 209 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 210 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 214 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 147-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
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RAF Valley 232-1 by craigsluman, on Flickr
20.

RAF Valley 241 by craigsluman, on Flickr

Sorry for the amount of pictures but I just couldn't stop pressing the shutter button

[np1991]

Cool, not something you see everyday Well covered

[Mark Owen]

Very interesting thanks of posting.

Regards.

Mark.

[richpittman]

Fantastic report

[Cherokee Rose]

Superb Craig. They did a good job with the Chinook on the choppy sea .

[Hunter]

An interesting set of photos - and, in my opinion, one of the best photo posts on Fighter Control for a long time. Not only a record of a rare event as far as us enthusiasts are concerned, but there are also some great photographs too - from a visual perspective. The shots of the Chinook low over the water are excellent and the fact that they aren't cropped adds to the impact. The limited colours too - a result no doubt of the weather conditions - add to their quality, as do the compositions, even if randomly shot. I also think some of the shots of the guys in their various 'small craft' are good too - and dramatic with it.

Oh, and some of the close-ups of the Chinook are outstanding too!

An excellent post flyingslug_0/Craig! Well done and well caught. Thanks for sharing.

[bobthehandyman]

An interesting set of photos - and, in my opinion, one of the best photo posts on Fighter Control for a long time. Not only a record of a rare event as far as us enthusiasts are concerned, but there are also some great photographs too - from a visual perspective. The shots of the Chinook low over the water are excellent and the fact that they aren't cropped adds to the impact. The limited colours too - a result no doubt of the weather conditions - add to their quality, as do the compositions, even if randomly shot. I also think some of the shots of the guys in their various 'small craft' are good too - and dramatic with it.

Oh, and some of the close-ups of the Chinook are outstanding too!

An excellent post flyingslug_0/Craig! Well done and well caught. Thanks for sharing.

I can only 2nd these comments, very good set, thanks

[KINROTATE]

This thread concerns me. People on this forum get very anal over showing aircrew faces, but get excited over seeing our SF do their thing and showing faces - I think less is more on this thread.

[KINROTATE]

Two threads, same content?

[flyingslug_0]

Thank you for your comments, I've only enclosed pictures that show no details on the guys faces. I've enclosed the air load master because he saw us taking his picture and was waving. If anyone thinks these pictures should be taken out then please say so and I will.

[Daveayr]

Wow, really enjoyed looking at them thanks for that

[Typhoon73]

Good enough to of been posted twice
Thanks
T73

[alexmac]

Great to be able to catch something like this though, rare opportunity.

[Mictheslik]

Glad you finally got them and it was good to see you on Cad.....might be worth selecting the faces and adding a bit of blur just in case though

.mic

[SteveS]

Topics merged. I too would suggest a little blur on the faces in a couple.

[Hunter]

Let's not over-react about the content of these photos. If any of the UK's armed forces chose to train in a publicly accessible and visible area and happen to get their photos taken that's 'their problem'. There is no UK law against taking photos such as these, and that includes photos of individuals in publicly accessible areas (if in doubt check the news items in Amateur Photographer over the past year or so).

Let's enjoy the photos for what they are; a record of a rarely seen training exercise that happens to include, for its own sake, some great photography!

[Victor5]

I remember a few years ago these exercises (Chamelion, Lobster Pot etc) were held at St Mawgan and photos like these would have been impossible to get. I guess they will be searching for another venue now!

[captain scarlet]

Interesting set mate, like it!

ps - did you turn the IS off?

[Red Hound]

I remember a few years ago these exercises (Chamelion, Lobster Pot etc) were held at St Mawgan and photos like these would have been impossible to get. I guess they will be searching for another venue now!

These exercises were held at CU after St.M, with the helicopters (normally a pair of Chinooks, 2xSk4, 1xSk5 a pair of Lynx3/8) operating from 'B' site. I think the last time it was held at CU was a year ago, but sometimes held twice yearly.

I believe they used containers to restrict the view from the Public viewing enclosure towards B site at Culdrose, presumably so that special forces personnel couldn't be seen.

[KevinJ]

Let's not over-react about the content of these photos. If any of the UK's armed forces chose to train in a publicly accessible and visible area and happen to get their photos taken that's 'their problem'. There is no UK law against taking photos such as these, and that includes photos of individuals in publicly accessible areas (if in doubt check the news items in Amateur Photographer over the past year or so).

Let's enjoy the photos for what they are; a record of a rarely seen training exercise that happens to include, for its own sake, some great photography!

That's a great attitude, these people risk their lives and you think it's their problem if people knowingly reveal their identities on a public forum viewable by any potential enemy, that has nothing to do with your point about photography in public places, these are not 'Joe public'. We're supposed to be on their side and supporting our armed forces. It's about having the decency to protect the identities of those people who rely on their anonymity to protect our country. Personally I would just slightly blur out the faces so to keep the interesting photos here, and it is a great set of images.