BFBS Daily Dits

Commodore Maryla Ingham is one of the Royal Navy’s most senior female leaders. She’s been commanding Standing Nato Maritime Group One, Iceland.
The task force provides a visible deterrent guarding vital undersea communications - everything from online banking to booking a holiday.  
BFBS Forces News’ reporter James Wharton went to meet her aboard the flagship HMCS Ville de Québec, in Reykjavík and tells Lauren Michell all about it.

⚓In this episode

Commodore Maryla Ingham shares frank insights on growing Russian naval activity and how Nato forces keep critical sea lines free and open.

She is the first woman in the Royal Navy's 366-year history to have held five separate commands.

Hear how the Nato task force’s work in the North Atlantic affects our daily lives at home.

Plus, James Wharton shares what it was really like to film this behind-the-scenes story.


💻Watch more on this story

Meet the British Nato commander hunting Russian threats in the High North

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Breaking the Silence on Women's Health in Defence

Lance Bombardier Annie Robertson has turned her personal experiences of Endometriosis and pregnancy loss into advocating for greater awareness and support when it comes to the health of service women. Lauren Mitchell is joined by BFBS UK presenter Lydia Tester to talk about a subject affecting thousands of women.   

⚕️In this episode:

Meet Lance Bombardier Annie Robertson who’s campaigning for better women’s health support across the British armed forces.

Learn of the work of the Defence Endometriosis Support Group.

How to break down stigmas around women’s health.

Learn of the changes being made for service women - from uniform adaptations to improving understanding among chains of command.

Plus, how to be an ally when it comes to women’s health.

💻Support and information

Defence Endometriosis Support Group

BFBS Audience Support

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The Princess Wales’s Royal Regiment is leaving Cyprus after two years on the island, making way for the Welsh Guards to take over as the new infantry battalion in Episkopi.

Lydia Tester chats to Anthony Ballard, the BFBS Cyprus Station Manager, to hear all about the handover.

🏝️ In this episode

• How 1PWRR and the Welsh Guard completed their handover
• How the Welsh Guards are settling in
• What’s in store for the Welsh Guards

🏔️ Take part in the BFBS Big Salute

Operation Summit

New homes are being built for service families in Cyprus as part of the apollo project. 

Lydia Tester speaks to BFBS Cyprus reporter Will Hollis to find out what the new homes are like. 

🏠 In this episode

•  A look into the brand-new homes in Dhekelia

• How the homes are being future proofed with seismic compliance
• What’s next for the Apollo Programme

🎮 LISTEN to The Lobby

Sir Pigasus cleared for Take-Off

Former soldier Rich Bunn is an award-winning stand-up comedian returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. A semi-finalist of the event’s prestigious ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ competition last year, his military-themed show features storytelling about his time in the British Army. Kam Kelly caught up with the stand-up star and shares his story with Lydia Tester.

🎤In this episode: 

·         Comedian Rich Bunn shares his unique take on life in the military.

·         Go behind the scenes on crafting a live stage show and producing hilarious social media posts.  

·         Why comedy and having a laugh can be a vital lifeline in the armed forces.

·         Plus, would Kam or Lydia be brave enough to try stand-up comedy?

📻Listen to the UK national BFBS Breakfast Show

·         UK Breakfast with Kam & Danni

🎶Catch up on music specials

·         BFBS Music Specials

Meet ‘The Nauti Girls’ Taking on the RNRMC Race Across the UK 

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) has launched its ‘Race Across the UK’ fundraising challenge. The mission? Travel from Dartmouth to Inverness in Scotland in just four days, without using a car, flying, or relying on map apps, all while raising vital funds for the Naval community. Lydia Tester is joined by George Wedlake who shares the story of one of the teams – ‘The Nauti Girls’, a truly nautical duo.    

 
🗺️In this episode: 
 
What does The RNRMC ‘Race Across the UK’ involve? 

Meet ‘The Nauti Girls’ AKA serving Royal Navy sailor Pippa, and Navy partner, Rosie 

How military skills, resilience, and teamwork can give teams an edge in the race 

Follow the event and support the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity 

Plus, could your friendship survive this four-day journey? 

📻More stories like this on BFBS The Forces Station 

BFBS Radio 

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The Big Salute Operation Summit

At just 14 years old, Katie Maddocks has represented Gibraltar in this year’s Commonwealth Games. 

Lydia caught up with Greg Burnet to hear about Katie’s experience competing in Glasgow.

🏊In this episode:

• What it was like for Katie to make her Commonwealth Games Debut
• How growing up as a military child has helped with resilience
• And how to balance school with training

📻Want to discover new music?

Will Parker 

The British Superbike Championship roared into Thruxton, but alongside the high-speed action was a team using motorsports to change lives of wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. 

Lydia Tester is joined by Richard Wyeth to hear about his visit to the track 

🏍️ In this episode 

• What the British Superbike Championship is 

• Balancing military life with competitive racing 

• How volunteers, veterans and serving personnel find purpose and support through motorsports 

🏆 Join the BFBS Fantasy Premier League 

Fantasy Football 

Taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks for the BFBS Big Salute 

Want to help us raise money for forces charities? Get involved with the BFBS Big Salute Op Summit challenge! 

BFBS’s Richard Hatch will be tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks in aid of six small charities supporting the military community.   

Rich tells Lauren about his plans and the favours he’s pulling from some famous faces.      

 🧗‍♂️In this episode:   

How did this this challenge first come about from listeners?   

Rich gets support from SAS: Who Dares Wins star Billy Billingham and forces fundraiser Sally Orange. 

Expert advice and tips from Mark Airey, Founder of Team True Spirit  
How you can get involved and fundraise for the BFBS Big Salute  

Plus, fancy dress or no fancy dress?   

 📻Follow Richard Hatch’s BFBS Big Salute Op Summit story   
  
BFBS Radio

 
🖊️Sign up for the BFBS Big Salute Op Summit

BFBS Big Salute: Op Summit
 
🎧Listen to the latest BFBS Pro League: The Lobby podcast  
  
BFBS Pro League: The Lobby  

Leuchars Station opened its doors for a day of fairground rides, music, food and activities for it’s annual Families and community day.

Lauren Michell is joined by BFBS Scotland’s Jim Gellatly to find out more about the event...

🎡 In this episode

• The history of Leuchars station
• Fairground rides, ice cream, and a Harrier cockpit!
• Royal Scots Dragoon Guards talk about their history and life at Leuchars
• A pygmy hippo skull, toilet roll Waterloo-era soldiers and Scotland’s school holidays...

📱 WATCH highlights from the Leuchars Family Day

BFBS Scotland

➡️ Learn more about the AI Skills for Military Partners course

BFBS Academy

The Female RAF Officer who Swam the Channel

Squadron Leader Nic MacKay from RAF Honington, Suffolk, has achieved one of the toughest challenges in sport - completing a solo swim of the English Channel in just over 10 hours. Lydia Tester shares this amazing story with Lauren Mitchell.

🏊In this episode:

Find out what motivated Squadron Leader Nic MacKay to take on this epic open water swim.

How she balances service life with elite-level sport.

Discover how swimming can be a powerful way to improve your mental wellbeing.

Plus, why fewer people have swum the Channel than climbed Everest.


📻Listen to more stories like this on BFBS

BFBS Radio | BFBS

🧗Take on the BFBS Big Salute: Operation Summit

Join us for Operation Summit | BFBS

Sun, Sand and Serious Fitness at The Flamingo Throwdown in Cyprus

Ryan Galpin joins Lauren Mitchell to talk about taking on The Flamingo Throwdown beachside workout at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus.

🦩In this episode:

The Flamingo Throwdown competitors face a tough mix of strength, endurance and CrossFit-style beach-based physical challenges.

Captain Janet Poon puts Ryan through his paces in the mixed pairs category.

The incredible support from the RAF Akrotiri community.

Plus, the winning team’s tasty post-recovery plan.

📲See more from The Flamingo Throwdown

 BFBS Cyprus on Instagram

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BFBS Radio App

Hundreds of performers from around the world have gathered at the Castle Esplanade for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Lauren Mitchell speaks to Mark McKenzie to find out what goes on behind the scenes for one of the biggest events in the military calendar...

🎺 In this episode

• What happens during the frantic final days of rehearsals
• We hear from the Tattoo’s Chief Executive, creative team and RAF Musicians
• Princess Anne pays a visit to rehearsals, the Red Arrows are set to make an appearance, and Mark explains why the tattoo never gets old!

📱 See behind the scenes of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

BFBS Scotland

📺 Watch the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo from overseas

BFBS TV

RAF Valley’s Families Day is the biggest behind-the-scenes look at the people, aircraft and community that keep one of the RAF’s busiest training stations flying. It’s an opportunity for loved ones to explore the UK’s equivalent of Top Gun.

Lauren chats to Jess Bracey whilst she’s on the ground in Anglesey soaking up the atmosphere and finding out why Families Day means so much to those at RAF Valley...

✈️ In this episode

• RAF Valley's role in training the next generation of RAF jet pilots
• The many attractions of Families Day, from flying displays to the Red Arrows hangar
• Formula One crashes the Air Show
• And talk of Typhoons, fun fairs, and cotton candy

🎮 Listen to the latest episode of The Lobby

Shrimp, Stomps & Stimple Bog 

RAF Reservists have been swapping their usual roles for urban warfare training alongside the Army at Ballykinler Training Area in Northern Ireland. Personnel have stepped out of their comfort zones to build the skills and teamwork needed for future operations.

Lauren chats to Rachael Price to hear why training together across the services is becoming more important than ever.

🎖️ In this episode

• RAF Reservists training alongside soldiers from 2 Royal Irish

• Cutting-edge simulation technology that prepares troops for realistic urban operations
• Plus, cam cream, mock villages, and building lifelong military friendships!

📱 Watch the training in action

BFBS Northern Ireland

⛰️ Take on Operation Summit

Join BFBS' Big Salute campaign by taking on your own sponsored challenge and helping raise money for military charities around the forces world.

bfbs.com/summit

Minden Day is one of the British Army's most enduring traditions, but what's the story behind this battle honour and why does it matter today?
Lauren Mitchell is joined by BFBS Germany's Curtis Tyler to explore the military history and significance of Minden Day, commemorated annually in Minden, Germany.

 ⚔️In this episode

·         The fascinating story of The Battle of Minden in 1759, during the Seven Years' War

·         What happens when soldiers accidentally do the opposite of what they were supposed to do... and still win?

·         Major Ryan Ingram of 130 German-British Amphibious Engineer Battalion, explores the history, heritage and lasting friendships between British and German military - making Minden Day such a special occasion.

·         Plus, the history lesson you didn’t get at school!

 📻More stories like this with BFBS The Forces Station

·         BFBS Radio

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·         BFBS Radio via your Smart Speaker | BFBS

More than 2,000 people gather in Colchester for the unveiling of a new Airborne Solider statue, celebrating 25 years of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team calling the city home.

Lauren's joined by BFBS Colchester’s Ashley Paul and Peter Johnson to talk about the emotional ceremony, arduous planning and why the statue means so much to the military and local community.

🪂 In this episode

• The new symbol of the bond between Colchester and 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team
• Unpacking the celebrations and community activities, including a new record from the Red Devils
• Plus, goosebump moments, and well-earned holidays!

📱 Watch the statue unveiling and celebrations

BFBS Colchester

🎧 Listen to the Sonny Fodera Music Special

Join Joe Carden as he chats with Sonny Fodera about the world of dance music and his sixth album, Can We Do It All Again?

RAF Aviators and Army soldiers have been put to the test during Exercise Greyhound Thunder at RAF Odiham.  

Lauren caught up with Natasha Reneaux, to hear about seeing the exercise up close. 

🚁 In this episode 

• A rundown on Natasha’s many recent adventures to RAF Odiham 

• The new specialist equipment helping air crews in the training 

• Plus, why RAF bases always have the best activities! 

📱 Watch Exercise Greyhound Thunder in action 

BFBS Aldershot 

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Lauren Mitchell has visited JFC Brunssum in the Netherlands to discover how King's Camps is helping military children stay active, make friends and create unforgettable summer memories.

Along the way, she finds out what life is like at one of NATO's key operational headquarters.

🏃 In this episode

• A behind-the-scenes look at life at JFC Brunssum and the UK's National Support Element
• Lauren swaps the microphone for an obstacle course 
• Plus, meeting the children taking part in the camp

📱 Watch Lauren take on King's Camps

BFBS Germany

 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Lobby

Casting Chaos and Pro League Suprises

A new chapter is about to begin at RAF Brize Norton. After two years in command, Group Captain Louise Henton’s tenure as Station Commander is complete. Before she left, she sat down with BFBS to reflect on the last two years, what it’s like being responsible for a station that keeps the RAF moving around the world and what makes her proud of the station.

Lauren Mitchell catches up with Gemma-Leigh James about her tenure. 

✈️ In this episode:

• Why is RAF Brize Norton such a significant base for the military
• Highlights from Brize Norton over the last year – BRAVO awards, opening of RAFA Kids, remembrance ceremonies and family's day
• Shout out to the RAF Falcons team for their mammoth summer of events

🖊 COMPLETE our BFBS survey to share your views on our services across Radio, TV, News, Sport and Podcasts, to be in with the chance of winning some online shopping vouchers. 

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