BFBS Daily Dits

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

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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

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The BFBS Big Salute is our annual campaign that raises vital funds for armed forces charities. Each year we invite forces charities to apply for grants to support specific projects for the serving military, families and veterans.

Since it started in 2007 the Big Salute has raised over £1.5 million, and has supported over 54 charities 

Lauren Mitchell catches up with Jess Bracey to find out about this year’s campaign, Op Summit 

⛰️ In this episode:

• Sign up, get sponsored for your virtual or physical mountain climb and raise money for military charities
• Hear about our presenter Melissa Davies in Canada who is taking on The Rockies
• A thank you message from one of this year’s beneficiaries, Elysium - a UK charity that built the first national memorial dedicated to armed forces members and veterans who have died by suicide

🖊 SIGN UP for The BFBS Big Salute Op Summit Challenge

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In this week’s episode: Esports, Rocket League... and a very expensive lesson in remembering your cables. Owen "Psycho" Williams, Leyna "Affinity" and special guest Daromas share one of the funniest behind-the-scenes stories from BFBS Esports.

Pupils at Queen Berengaria School in Dhekelia Barracks swapped classrooms for clouds of colourful powder as they took part in the school’s annual Colour Run.

Lauren Mitchell catches up with Ryan Galpin to find out why he couldn’t resist getting involved in the fun.  
 

🌈 In this episode:

• What makes the Queen Berengaria School Colour Run such a highlight in the school calendar
• How the event raised over €2500 for the school’s Parent, Teacher, Friends Association
• Plus, colourful memories from Lauren’s time in Brunei and getting stuck in at forces events!

📱 Watch Ryan take on the Colour Run

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

Sonny Fodera – Can We Do It All Again?

We are in the middle of airshow season and one event that has got lots of people talking is the Farnborough Airshow. 

Around 1,600 exhibitors, spanning commercial aviation, defence, space, advanced air mobility, manufacturing, AI, and sustainability.

On Friday there was a renewed "Pioneers of Tomorrow" public day, aimed at inspiring future engineers, pilots, and scientists.

Lauren Mitchell chats to Richard Wyeth who was on the ground for BFBS The Forces Station. 
 

🎧 In this episode:

• We hear from Farnborough International Airshow CEO Gareth Rogers about the success of the event and inspiring the next generation
• Military aviation galore hearing about the Typhoon, F35 and the British Army’s Red Devils, plus memories of sitting in an Osprey helicopter in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
• How do you actually pronounce Chinook?
• We launch the BFBS Big Salute 2026 Campaign, Op Summit, inviting you to take part it our latest fundraising challenge 

✈️ LISTEN to our dedicated Military Aviation Podcast ‘MavGeeks: A Military Aircraft Obsession’ with Gini Carlin

🖊 SIGN UP for this year’s BFBS Big Salute Fundraising event Op Summit, where we are asking you to raise a mountain of cash by physically or virtually climbing a mountain in aid of military charities.

The Armed Forces have been showcasing themselves at Europe's biggest agricultural event, The Royal Welsh Show.

Lauren Mitchell catches up with BFBS Social Media's Toby Pickard to find out more about the day.

🌾 In this episode
Why the Armed Forces are at the Royal Welsh Show
What visitors can see and get involved with
How the Army is engaging with young people and local communities
Toby's highlights from one of Wales' biggest annual events

📱 More about the Royal Welsh Show
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Two instructors from the Cyprus Army Cadet Force have walked 87 miles across Cyprus in the middles of a heatwave to raise money for charity. 

Lauren Mitchell catches up with BFBS Cyprus Hal Stewart to hear how the epic challenge unfolded – from unexpected detours to blistered feet and soaring temperatures. 

🥾 In this episode 

• Why two Army Cadet Force instructors walked from Episkopi to Dhekelia 

• The unexpected five-mile detour around one of Cyprus' biggest power stations 

• How 32°C heat, blistered feet and new trainers tested their determination 

• Plus, the charities they're supporting, why they'd never do this walk again... and Hal and Lauren reminisce about Christmas in the Cyprus snow before heading to the beach! 

📱 Support the challenge 

Search Cyprus Army Cadets on JustGiving to donate. 

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The RAF Benevolent Fund is one of the charities supporting serving RAF personnel, veterans and their families when they face financial hardship or need extra help.

When former RAF serviceman Matt Neve faced financial uncertainty, following injury and major life changes, the RAF Benevolent Fund provided vital support, helping to ease pressures and enabling him to rebuild his life. 
Lauren Mitchell chats to Gemma-Leigh James about the amazing service the RAF Benevolent Fund provide and how they have helped one veteran in particular.  

🎧 In this episode

• How a tour of Op TELIC, loading repatriated service people, led to Matt’s medical discharge and PTSD
• The moment the Invictus Games made him realise he needed further care
• When the RAF Benevolent Fund stepped in to help with rent following an accident at work
• Why people who fundraise for charities make such a difference to beneficiaries like Matt; most recently an RAF serviceman climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the RAF Benevolent Fund 

💙 READ more about the help available from military charities on the BFBS Audience Support Hub

📱 CHECK OUT photos from AS1 Rowan’s mammoth Mount Kilimanjaro climb in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund on the BFBS Brize Norton Facebook Page

Soldiers from First Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment have been putting on their gas masks as they complete Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training before returning to the UK.  
Lauren Mitchell catches up with BFBS Cyprus reporter Will Hollis to find out why the training is so important and what life has been like for the battalion during their two-year deployment on the island. 

 ☣️ In this episode 

• Why 1PWRR are preparing for CBRN duties 

• What it’s like training in protective equipment under the Cyprus Sun 

• How the unit respond to chemical threats 

• Saying goodbye to Cyprus and heading home to Woolwich! 

📱 More about CBRN training 

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The final of the 2026 World Cup took place last night with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time. With military personnel watching the matches across the forces world, how did they get involved? 
 
Lauren Mitchell and Jade Callaway share their experiences of following the fixtures in Germany 
 

⚽ In this episode 

• Group chats go international as the forces world entered their own sweepstakes for the world cup 

• How Sennelager hosted an open-air cinema night for the final 

• We hear from the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant who helped BFBS put on the event 

• Plus, bucket hats, bean bags and a big cup of coffee the morning after! 
   

📱 WATCH more stories from the team in Sennelager 

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University Officer Training Corps (UOTC) cadets from the UK have visited Augustdorf in Germany, for a unique opportunity to learn from the Bundeswehr, the German army. 
 
Lauren Mitchell and Curtis Tyler followed them on their exercise 
 
🫡In this episode 

• WO2 Jans Vander of the Bundeswehr outlines how the trip’s fostered interoperability and international partnership between the UK and German military  

• Students get up close to military tech including demos and displays of kit, vehicles and simulators   

• Cadets don camo cream, weaponry for rural and urban training exercises in the field  

• Plus, berets, boots and breads rolls! 
   

📲WATCH more on this story on social media  

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Musicians from British Army Band Catterick have helped children at Sacred Heart Primary School in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, turn their ideas and lyrics into an original recorded song.

Chris Kaye headed to a recording session and catches up with Lauren Mitchell. 
 
🎺In this episode 

• What’s life like as a musician in British Army Band Catterick? 

• Discover the unique opportunities British Army Music offers soldiers. 

• Kids turn rock stars, penning lyrics, exploring musical styles and recording tracks. 

• Soldiers inspire young people into careers in the armed force. 

• Plus, it’s a busy summer across Yorkshire for the military musicians.  

📻More stories like this on BFBS The Forces Station 

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The Adjutant General’s Corps Warriors Netball team have been busy training in Gibraltar. Whilst on tour, they also lead a netball  session with military children. 
  
Jacob Dyer met the players and catches up with Lauren Mitchell.
 

🏀️In this episode: 

• Lieutenant Colonel Lorraine Thomas, Chair of AGC Netball, on developing the next generation of players - blending experienced athletes with soldiers new to Army sport 
   

• The team reflect on overseas training in the heat and humidity of Gibraltar 
    

• Players prepare for the upcoming Inter Corps Championships 
     

• Soldiers lead coaching sessions with military kids, inspiring future netball players.  

🎧Hear more stories like this on the radio:   
 
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We take you behind the scenes of an exclusive, access all areas interview with the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, aboard HMS Daring at HMNB Portsmouth.  
 
Tim Cooper from Forces News joins Lauren Mitchell to talk through what it was really like to spend time with the man in charge of the Royal Navy.

⚓In this episode: 

• The First Sea Lord says “morale’s high and the Navy are ready to fight” 

• HMS Daring – a Type 45 air defence destroyer – laid up since 2017 following her refit, is now set to resume duties this year 

• General Sir Gwyn Jenkins reflects on his first year leading the Senior Service 

Plus, what was it like to plan and film this exclusive interview 
 
📺WATCH the full interview  
 
BFBS Forces News on YouTube 
 

📱Plus, there’s more with Forces Shorts on BFBS TV Player App  
 
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Soldiers of 1st Battalion The Rifles have conducted experimental counter drone exercises on Sennybridge Training Area in the Brecon Beacons, Wales.  
 
BFBS's Toby Pickard was there and joins Lauren Mitchell.  
 
 
🪖 In this episode: 

• Riflemen test identifying, tracking and jamming enemy drone threats in pioneering training  

• Learn how drone warfare is shaping and changing future world conflicts   

• Corporal O’Neill recognised for innovation, winning Soldier of the Year at the inaugural Fitzgibbon Award 

• Find out where 1st Battalion The Rifles will deploy to next  
   
   

📲 See more on the drone training exercise  
 
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🖥️WATCH BFBS Forces News’ exclusive interview with the First Sea Lord  
 
BFBS Forces News on YouTube 
 
 

The Army Engagement Team host a “Meet Your Army” showcase in Colchester, giving students, school-leavers and local businesses the chance to find out what it’s really like to be in the armed forces.  
 
Ashley Paul tells Lauren Mitchell all about it.

 
🪖In this episode: 

• Busting common myths about the military 
   

• Young people explore the vast array of careers in the British Army 
   

• A Royal Logistics Corps Reservist shares how service life’s opened opportunities for international travel and adventure training.       
   

📲See pictures from the ‘Meet Your Army’ showcase  

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3 Battalion The Rifles have been commemorating the Duke of Wellington’s 1812 victory at the Battle of Salamanca. 

Mark McKenzie and Jim Gellatly from BFBS Scotland tell Lauren Mitchell how it was marked at Dreghorn Barracks. 

Content Warning: this episode features the sound of gunshots 

🫡 In this episode: 

• What is Salamanca Day? Jim gives us a history lesson. 

• How do 3 Rifles celebrate? 

• Re-enactors show off their weapons! 

• Soldiers take on a 24-hour physical challenge 

  
  

📺 See Salamanca Day videos here: 

• Instagram @bfbs.scotland 

  
  

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Tim Humphries joins Lauren Mitchell to explore the tennis tournament’s close connection with the British armed forces. 
 
 
🎾 In this episode: 

• Volunteers from the British Army and the Royal Navy reflect on the prestige and pride they feel serving as stewards on court this year 

• A bittersweet moment for one sailor serving at SW19 in memory of his brother 

• Hear the fascinating story behind the historic 80-year bond between the military and Wimbledon 

• Plus, the volunteers share stories of spotting celebrities court-side 
   

🎧 Listen to BFBS Radio for your chance to win with the Wimbledon tennis themed ‘Guess The Grunt’ competition 

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Lauren Mitchell and Curtis Tyler look back on a fun-packed community day in the sunshine at the Garrison Summer Fete.  
 
   
🍦 In this episode: 

• Why the Fete is such an important thank-you to service personnel and families posted to Germany. 

• Lauren climbs into a Challenger 2 tank and gets up close to the M3 amphibious rig with 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron. 

• There’s some seriously competitive welly-wanging 

• Plus, BFBS’ Operation Ice Cream van delivers tasty treats and its own World Cup style jingle! 
   
     

📱Watch more from the Sennelager Garrison Fete on our social channels: 

• BFBS Germany on Instagram 
   

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The Royal Navy’s biggest training base, HMS Collingwood has held its annual open day and hosted the historic Field Gun competition. 
 

But who won bragging rights?   

 
George Ryland was there and tells Lauren Mitchell all about it. 

⚓ In this episode: 

• Behind the scenes at the historic Field Gun competition 

• Find out who won the coveted Brickwoods Trophy  

• HMS Collingwood opens its doors to the public 

See more on HMS Collingwood’s Open Day on our social channels: 

• BFBS Radio on Instagram 

📺 Catch up on all the action from the World Cup with the BFBS TV Player   

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