RAF Marham knife incident

[Pen Pusher]

It means that the two assilants were of middle eastern origin. If you're insinuating anything else, that is bordering on racism, and there is no place for it on this forum!

And when was the last time you heard of the Methodists ordering a Fatwah, Anglican suicide bombers. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints killing people for criticising the Bible?.

Mind you Spanish Catholics did have the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. Monty Python anyone?.


Brian

[quid21]

Why not let the police do their job.

The place for speculation is down the pub!

[Andy_99]

Lets stop getting all wound up about this until the full story comes out.

In my mind

1) Do we need to reconsider our safety ? There's many a time I've been alone at the fenceline, am I now a target for somebody ?
2) Do we need to be more vigilant when we are out & about ? If we spot anything have we got the means to call it in ?
3) Will there be a knee jerk reaction from the Police/RAF/USAF that will make the pursuance of our hobby more difficult (closure of viewing area's, blocking of access)

Was the reported incident at Bulford Camp last night just the start of a Knee Jerk reaction from the Police ?

I know a lot of the security has been outsourced to private companies who often don't pay as much respect to the genuine spotters/photographers as those in the Police/MOD Police/RAF Police etc... I can only see things getting a bit more difficult for us moving forwards.

[quid21]

The Police are doing their job. I don't do pubs, so I speculate on here, or is that banned!!.
Look!. I'm 73, had a hugely enjoyable and fulfilling life, done a huge amount of things that you youngsters will probably never do.[and done things that I hope you never have to], so I can understand the angst IF I had posted an offensive post, but I didn't.
Free speech and all that,. Just live with it!. I don't get angry with people these days, but please don't tell me what to do or say when I post an alternative completely harmless view!!!!!!.

I think there have been cases where speculation on here may have ended up as being fact in the printed media. Everyone is entitled to speculate, but sometimes it can be seen by others as insensitive or can be misconstrued.

Hey its Friday, lets all lighten up!

[Thunder]

Interesting statement from the police....

"Police say they can't rule out terrorism but they're also saying there are also other plausible alternative explanations."

[deerhunter]

Right thats it, Jem has just gone up in my estimation, should be the next PM, he`s a top notch fella.

He called me young, thats good enough for me, happy days

[deerhunter]

You and me both Jem

[Jackaroo]

Hi All,

I'm considering visiting Marham tomorrow to catch some Tonka action as this year has been bereft of this iconic warplane for me. In light of Thursdays incident would you know whether I would be ok to photograph in usual places? If I were to see any suspicious activity, other than calling 999 is there any other numbers I need to know? I have heard that there is a civil aircraft spotters register where you can sign yourself up and get ID to prove who you are and in turn allowed to be left to get on with your hobby in peace. If there is, surely it would be worth the MOD to set one up and use us, the trusty Plane Spotter as extended sets of eyes?

All comments welcome...well, kind ones at least..;-)

[page_verify]

It might help if I paraphrase your question Jackaroo? Can I park just outside an RAF station that's very recently had a potentially terrorist related attempted abduction happen just outside of it?

While the powers that be may not get excited enough to actually tell you to move, I'd imagine quite a few military and family members, as well as the local community, will report seeing a car parked on the perimeter and use up security staff time and energy that could be used more productively.

[Jackaroo]

Oh well at least someone answered. Cheers page_verify I'll take your patronising response as I won't bother. Although still can't help but think extra eyes around military airfields would benefit the security services.

[turmo]

I'd imagine quite a few military and family members, as well as the local community, will report seeing a car parked on the perimeter and use up security staff time and energy that could be used more productively.

That just sounds like the reactionary effect that Bad Guys want to generate. 'Oh I better stay at home like a good little mouse'. Get out and there and continue living life as normal, that's how we made it through forty years of 'The Troubles' in NI.

Anyway people shouldn't be parking at the fence, for lots of reasons other than security-scares. If you don't fancy being a locally-considerate spotter and walking to the base, why not park-up a few miles out on the departure line and grab some gear-up shots. Much tidier! I don't understand this obsession with photographing aeroplanes with their gear down, it's like taking photos of cars with their bonnets up

[Thunder]

Did people stop going into Hyde Park in 1982, in case other people mistook them for the IRA??

I would still go, however maybe be a bit more thoughtful than usual about what you're doing and where you park. Would it even harm to contact the MGR even the local police and give them your car reg and personnel details beforehand, at least that way if anyone did phone in they would be able to discount it.

Common sense prevails ............

[Jackaroo]

Good point Turmo I would normally park up at Chalk Lane but as you say planes with wheels down aren't as attractive as blasting off from departure end...Chalk Lane is far from the main entrance and sensitive areas. I was thinking of trying further down on the A1122 toward Fincham. By the way whoever it was who put Thunder & Lightnings site together and put in the research needs a big pat on the back. A fine work.

Look I don't want to cause grief I just wondered if we, the military aviation enthusiast community could contribute toward helping the security services keep HM forces personnel safe in an increasingly unsafe world...

[Jackaroo]

Thanks Thunder yes I was considering calling RAF Marham in the AM to confirm if my visit would be causing a security issue. I am being thoughtful, hence the posts.

[Thunder]

I think we all have a duty to keep others safe regardless of who they are or who we are. If you see something that you think is suspicious then you phone it in using 101 or 999. Being armed with a DSLR and probably a Tele lens, photographic evidence can also be obtained. Now I'm not saying to go all Ninja and put yourself into a situation that may prove dangerous, as I said earlier 'common sense prevails '. However if I was standing at the fence and was approached by a stranger asking dozens of questions about based units, movements, shift change times, daily rituals , off base movements of personnel etc etc....... it would ring a few alarm bells in my head, and therefore I would report it asap.

[page_verify]

Jackeroo, my reply wasn't meant to be patronising, my apologies if you read it that way. Instead, I tried to help write your question in a different point of view. I'm sure whatever it is you do that requires you to have SC clearance helps us all remember that sadly the general public, including RAF families, don't have the "stiff upper lip" attitude that the British used to have when as a society we got on with life during the Troubles and to some degree the Cold War. Now, the media has made almost everyone expect life to be as calm as a mill pond and therefore get very sensitive the moment anything does happen. My suggestion was that while alerting the RAF station's security would normally be sufficient, I wonder whether right now we need to spare a thought for the families that are probably still in shock at what's just happened?

[Jackaroo]

Ok page_verify fair enough and fair comment.

Thunder, I imagine being dressed as a cabbage standing in a field next to military establishment holding what looks from a distance to be a "long" would be a poor career move...

Having said that I have seen plenty of fellow enthusiasts on my travels indulging in such activity...

[slogen51]

I'd imagine quite a few military and family members, as well as the local community, will report seeing a car parked on the perimeter and use up security staff time and energy that could be used more productively.

That just sounds like the reactionary effect that Bad Guys want to generate. 'Oh I better stay at home like a good little mouse'. Get out and there and continue living life as normal, that's how we made it through forty years of 'The Troubles' in NI.

Anyway people shouldn't be parking at the fence, for lots of reasons other than security-scares. If you don't fancy being a locally-considerate spotter and walking to the base, why not park-up a few miles out on the departure line and grab some gear-up shots. Much tidier! I don't understand this obsession with photographing aeroplanes with their gear down, it's like taking photos of cars with their bonnets up

So taking pictures of planes in a field down wind of departures is not an obsession? We all have an obsession on here - it's planes and whether it wheels up or wheels down just keep calm and carry on (sensibly)

[Thunder]

and what did just happen?? The police seem to be remaining very tight lipped on just what exactly they are investigating.

I've never been to Marham, but I assume that standing at the fenceline you would be well away from the MQ's and any off base infrastructure, therefore well away from any personnel and dependents?

[Vulcanone]

Odd that no crimes are solved and filed in 7 days isn't it