BFBS Daily Dits

American football is making its mark in the Armed Forces, with flag football offering a fun, non-contact way to get into the sport. 

Lauren spoke to BFBS Colchester's Ashley Paul after he headed to the Military Corrective Training Centre to find out more about Tri-Service flag football! 

🏈 In this episode 

• Find out what flag football is! 

• How American football is growing within the Armed Forces and across the UK 

• How the Army, Royal Navy and RAF are working together to grow the sport 

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What can you expect from a new posting to Joint Force Command, Brunssum - the NATO command headquarters in the Netherlands? The military community came together to welcome newly posted service families with world cuisine, culture and live music at the Newcomers & Families’ Day. BFBS Germany presenter, Jade Callaway visited the event and catches up with Lauren Mitchell.

🥳 In this episode:

How newcomers are supported when arriving in the Netherlands posting.

The role JFC Brunssum plays in NATO led Europe-wide operations.

Colonel James Cackett, the UK’s Senior National Representative, outlines the value of the day.

Culture, community and the international atmosphere that make JFC Brunssum a unique new posting.

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The first ever military team has just completed an epic adventure training expedition to Greenland. Exercise Greenland Legacy 26 saw the tri-service team replicate Fridtjof Nansen's journey to and across Greenland in 1888. BFBS presenter Lydia Tester spoke to some of the crew about their experiences, and she shares more with Gini Carlin.


🫡In this episode:

Team Leader Lieutenant Colonel Tony Lancashire on highlights of the adventure.

Lance Corporal Charley Marr’s experience as the youngest and only female member of the team.

The group battle storms, navigate crevasses and endure temperatures of -40°C.

How adventurous training builds resilience, collaboration and leadership skills.

 

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To mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the United States, firefighters in the Falkland Islands took part in a memorial stair climb at Longdon Gym. The team took to Stair Masters, climbing the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs - matching each of the height of the World Trade Centre towers – to remember the 343 firefighters who lost their lives. Supporting their counterparts worldwide, the challenge supports vital emergency service charities. 

Tom Paine visited the gym and joins Gini Carlin to chat about the event.   
 
‍🚒In this episode: 
 
Corporal Matt Hyland on the challenge’s physical demands, the importance of remembering 9/11, and why supporting emergency service charities is important. 

The Fire Section don full PPE and breathing apparatus to climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs on Stair Masters.  

Firefighters worldwide stand with their counterparts to honour the 343 members of the New York Fire Department who lost their lives in the attacks. 

Plus, there’s more on the vital work of Firefighters across the armed forces. 

📲 Watch more on the story on social media 
 
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Jonah’s War Dogs Weekend 

Today is National Day, the biggest day of the year for Gibraltar. On the Rock it’s a national holiday and sees people dress in red and white and throw a party. But behind the celebrations, music, food and good times, the day holds a great deal of significance for proud Gibraltarians. Gini Carlin heads to Casemates Square to experience the day’s celebrations.

🥳 In this episode

Lieutenant Colonel John Pitto, Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, on what the day means to him and fellow Gibraltarians.

Learn of the significance of the day, Gibraltar's unique identity and why National Day remains such a powerful expression of community spirit and self-determination.

Gibraltarians party across the Rock with live music shows, traditional food, Tinto de Verano and everyone dressed in red and white.  

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Marines v Paras: How to watch 2026 Falklands Cup football clash live

At RAF Cosford the very first Royal Air Force Functional Fitness Championships were held. The phys activities incorporate strength, mobility, balance, and coordination – to train aviators’ bodies for real-world combat demands. BFBS Forces News reporter Joe Hearne attended the championships and joins Lauren Mitchell for the lowdown.

🏋️ In this episode:

Squadron Leader Abi Bagshaw, Chair of the RAF's Functional Fitness Association shares how the competition first came about.

Corporal Chris Mowlam-Jones describes the competitive side of the phys challenges.

From sprinting into cover across uneven terrain to rescuing casualties, learn how the physical activities upskill aviators.

How the sport draws on the popularity of CrossFit and Hyrox. 

Plus, the future of Functional Fitness as a recognised sport within the military. 

💻 Read more on this story online

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The Royal Regiment of Scotland was honoured with the first-ever Freedom of Inverclyde, marking a significant moment in the regiment's 20th anniversary year. Serving soldiers and veterans proudly paraded through Gourock, Greenock and Port Glasgow. Lauren Mitchell catches up with BFBS Scotland's Jim Gellatly, who attended the ceremony and parade.

🫡 In this episode

Lt Col (Retd) Jonathan Tink, Regimental Secretary reflects on the significance of the day.

An emotional homecoming for Cpl Paul McEntee, Pipes, Drums and Bugles of 2 SCOTS proudly marches through his hometown.

The importance of the strong, historic connections between the Regiment and the local community.    

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At Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe – SHAPE in Belgium, the community of 32 NATO nations came together for SHAPE Fest - one of the year’s biggest events. From international food to live music and military traditions to cultural displays, SHAPE Fest brings together all allied nations at this annual event. BFBS Germany presenters, Curtis Tyler and Lauren Mitchell attended and look back on a big weekend of celebrations

🎉In this episode

Squadron Leader Ree Rafael describes the scale of SHAPE Fest

The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alexus G. Grynkewich, United States Air Force, welcomes military personnel and families to the event

What goes into the planning this huge multicultural international event

Plus, Finnish rock bands, Dutch clog-making and classic British garden party cuisine!


📲See more on SHAPE Fest on social media

BFBS Germany on Instagram

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Looking ahead to the new Champions League season

From deciding if aircraft can fly, to helping commanders plan military operations, the meteorological office play a key role across Defence.

Lauren Mitchell speaks to Karl Lambert to find out how the Met Office continue to forecast for the British armed forces.

🌦️ In this episode

• Why accurate weather forecasting is critical to military operations.

• Find out how meteorologist, Flight Lieutenant Nicola Jones and other Met officers work alongside deployed military units worldwide.

• We reveal the remarkable true story behind the D-Day forecast.

• Karl tried his hand at presenting a TV weather forecast.
  

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The Most Important Weather Forecast in Military History

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The Lions Bring It Home

The prestigious Tattoo Cymru is staged at William Aston Hall, Wrexham. The concert tells the story of Royal Marines and seafarers whose service is rooted in Welsh history. The Royal Marines Association Concert Band and a host of musical acts bring a blend of pipers, drummers, singers, dancers, drill teams for a display of military precision, pomp and pageantry.  Kam Kelly joins Lauren Mitchell to look ahead to the show.

🎵 In this episode

Concert producer Gareth Butler outlines what audiences can expect from the concert.

Learn more about Wales’s proud armed forces history.

The fascinating story of how military tattoos originated.

Plus, pipers personally lead concert goers to their seats.

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Forget screens, homework and being told not to touch things, children at RAF Brize Norton got stuck into an interactive STEM camp. Designed to make science, technology, engineering and maths, exciting, this hands-on course saw children – many from families with parents in the military – take on engineering-based challenges and discover where STEM subjects could take them in the future. BFBS Brize Norton’s Gemma Leigh James attended the camp and caught up with Lauren Mitchell about it.

🚀In this episode

Squadron Leader Adam, RAF Brize Norton’s STEM Ambassador and team inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators and problem-solvers.

The kids build Lego robots, launch air rockets, tackle engineering tasks and coding challenges.

The young people meet with aviators to learn more about life and work in the Royal Air Force.

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2 Para’s B Company have taken on a half marathon in the Falkland Islands to remember those who lost their lives during the attack on Kabul airport attack during Op Pitting 2021.

Lauren Mitchell is joined by Tom Paine to hear more about the memorial event.

🏃 In this episode

• Hear from those taking part in the challenge
• Major Aaron shares his personal account of the events
• How the memorial event brought together members of all communities

⚠️ Content warning

This episode contains a first-hand account of the Kabul airport attack. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know has been affected by anything discussed in this episode, support is available at bfbs.com/audiencesupport

August has transformed Edinburgh into a city full of music, comedy, theatre and art – and BFBS Scotland has been right in the middle of it. 
Lauren Mitchell speaks to Mark McKenzie to look back at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 
🎭 In this episode 

• What makes the Edinburgh Fringe such a huge part of life every year in August 

• How Project Comedy is giving veterans a chance to connect, perform and challenge themselves on stage. 

• Mark reveals his highlights from one of the busiest months of the year in Edinburgh 

📱 Go behind the scenes 

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 

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The SEA Dragons are LAN bound 

Gibraltar’s famous Barbary macaques have inspired a new trail of colourful sculptures across the Rock. One of these monkey statues was created by talented young artist Phoebe Noble, a military child.

Lauren Mitchell catches up with BFBS Gibraltar’s Greg Burnet.

🎨 In this episode

• Find out about the new Jump Around Gibraltar trail
• How Phoebe’s dad reacted to the sculptures reveal
• And how the artists, youth groups and community organisations have all helped bring 10 apes to life

📍 See the statues

Jump around Gibraltar

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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.

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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

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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

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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?

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·         UK Breakfast with Kam & Danni

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·         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 

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