BFBS Daily Dits

Airtanker has been recognised with a Gold Armed Forces Covenant Award for its commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.

Gemma-Leigh James told Lauren all about the achievement.

✈️ In this episode:

• Find out about Airtanker and how they support the RAF
• Hear how Airtanker’s sponsored reservist programme brings together civilian and military expertise
• How Airtanker are helping inspire young girls into Aviation

📻 Listen to SITREP

What will replace the main service rifle, the SA80?

The countdown to the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 is on! As part of the launch, Invictus Foundation and The Education Exchange West Midlands have teamed up to create ‘INSPIRE’ - bringing lessons of resilience and mental fitness to classrooms. Lydia Tester found out more and joins Lauren Mitchell.

🫡In this episode:

The launch saw Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, go back to school, joining former Invictus Games competitors and pupils at a school in Birmingham.

Helen Helliwell, CEO, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, on West Midlands communities getting ready to welcome 550 competitors from 25 nations.

INSPIRE shares stories of wounded, injured and sick service personnel to teach pupils lessons in resilience and mental fitness.

Plus, how service personnel and veterans can get early access tickets to the Games.

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More than 250 sailors from HMS Queen Elizabeth have marched through Edinburgh as the ship's company exercised its Freedom of the City.

Mark McKenzie tells Lauren all about the parade.

🥁 In this episode:

• Hear from HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, Captain Claire Thompson
• Discover how the ship’s company are balancing celebrations with preparations for their next phase
• Chat of the F-35 flypast! 

📱Check out the parade

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Judo might be an individual sport, but at the UK Armed Forces Judo Championships, teamwork and inter-service spirit are just as important.

George Wedlake headed to HMS Nelson to find out more about the competition and told Lauren all about the day.

🥋 In this episode:

• What makes judo such an intricate and fast-paced sport
• Hear from Royal Marines Commando and former Team GB judoka Chris Sherrington
• Why Judo is a great sport for the Armed Forces

⛰️ Operation Summit

Take part in the big salute

Serving personnel, veterans, families and supporters were brought together to celebrate some of the incredible people and organisations making a difference across the military community at the Armed Forces Community Awards.

Lauren Mitchel spoke to Natasha Renaux who got dressed up for the event, to hear all about the night.

🏆 In this episode

• Natasha takes us behind the scenes at the Armed Forces Community Awards

• Meet Hounds for Heroes, winners of the Animal Partnership Award

• Plus, Natasha shares some of her highlights from the night — including meeting Alfie Bo!

🎶 Watch Alfie Bo

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Stelios Makes Military History!

RAF Benson has given its iconic gate guardian a new lease of life. The Spitfire has been refurbished and was rededicated on the 86th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Lauren Mitchell chats to BFBS's Jacob Dyer about the special ceremony and the story behind the aircraft.

✈️ In this episode

• Find out what a gate guardian is
• Discover the story of Flight Sergeant William “Bill” Johnson
• Plus hear about the behind the scenes of the Spitfires restoration, including the many hours spent removing old layers of paint

📸 See the Spitfire

BFBS Brize Norton

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Behind the scenes of Pressure

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 

📱 Check out the Touchdown! 

BFBS Colchester Facebook 

🤖 Learn about how to use AI for your everyday 

AI Skills for Military Partners

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.

📲 Watch more on social media

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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 
 
BFBS Falkland Islands on Facebook 

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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.  

📻 Listen to more stories on radio

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⚽ Watch the 2026 Falklands Cup

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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📺Discover Forces Shorts on BFBS TV Player App 

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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.    

🎥 See more on the story on social media

BFBS Scotland

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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.
  

🎬 Find out more about the MET Office

The Most Important Weather Forecast in Military History

🎮 Listen to the latest episode of The Lobby

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.

📻More stories like this on BFBS Radio

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Music Specials

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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