Voices of the Armed Forces | Fancy a Brew?

Grab yourself a brew and join 3 of the 12 members from the Forces Wives Challenge as they discuss their preparations for the Heroes of Telemark expedition in Norway and how the beginning of this journey has formed into a lifelong sisterhood. The women have been brought together by the Forces Wives Challenge (FWC). This was created to unite women with partners in the Armed Forces through adventure and challenge and, in doing so, translates the strength and resilience in the Forces Wives community into high performing female teams. FWC was founded by forces wife, Heather Sharp, who previously served in the army's Royal Engineers'. FWC has led challenges including Mount Kilimanjaro, the National 3 Peaks, the world's highest volcano, Ojos del Salado, 100km ultramarathons and a variety of virtual challenges throughout lockdown. Through these challenges, FWC has raised over £50,000 for charitable causes including the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, Scotties Little Soldiers and now, through this mission, The War Widows Association. The journey of The Heroes of Telemark SOE agents entails a story that changed the course of history. In March 1943, in what was effectively a suicide mission, The Heroes of Telemark completely sabotaged Hitler's advanced development of an atomic bomb by bravely destroying the Nazi's supply of deuterium oxide (also known as heavy water) from the occupied Vemork power plant in the Telemark region of Norway.

In our festive special of the Fancy a Brew? podcast, join four Submariners as they discuss life beneath the waves during the holiday season. Unseen and unhindered, the silent Submarine Service gives the Royal Navy strength beneath the waves providing continuous nuclear deterrence 365 days a year. This vital mission has seen at least one of the UK's nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines patrolling the seas undetected every minute of every day, for over 50 years. They deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety and that of our NATO allies.

In the latest episode of our podcast, join Lance Sergeant Henry, Guardsman Andy, Lance Sergeant Phillips and Lance Corporal Chris as they discuss life in Kosovo, a country in the European Western Balkans. The Armed Forces' presence in Kosovo is the UK's contribution to the NATO-led international task force. The task force was established in 1999 after UN Security Council Resolution 1244. It aims to assist the local security authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all citizens.

HMS Montrose is one of the Royal Navy's thirteen Type 23 Frigates. She is stationed at HMNB Devonport, but supports missions all over the world. She is currently serving on Operation KIPION in the Gulf, where the Armed Forces have maintained a presence for over 30 years. Following the start of the Iran–Iraq War in September 1980, tensions were high in the region and as a result the Gulf became an unstable and fragile area. Since then, the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary have been on patrol in the region 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, helping promote peace and stability in the region, as well as ensuring the safe flow of oil and trade. Ensuring the free flow of international commerce is the Royal Navy's top priority. It does this through the three principles of the mission: vigilance, surveillance and assurance. Join Lieutenant George, Able Rate Maca and PTI Chris as they talk about their experiences of serving onboard HMS Montrose in the Gulf.

The global terrorist group Daesh previously took advantage of regional instability and political upheaval to control areas of Syria and Iraq roughly the size of the UK. Daesh poses a threat to UK national security as it seeks to expand its terror network, using propaganda to radicalise and recruit citizens from the UK and around the world. That's why the UK Armed Forces work day and night overseas to help keep Britain safe. The UK Armed Forces' mission in the Middle East has seen them work alongside 80 other nations to help provide safe and stable communities for the Iraqi people to live and work in, with the operation carried out both on land and in the air. Join SAC Ciaran and his father Flight Lieutenant Stuart as they share their stories and experiences of deploying together as father and son on Operation SHADER.

Since 1974, our troops have been deployed to Cyprus on Operation TOSCA, the UK's longest-running UN mission. Around 260 soldiers from the British Army form the largest contingent of the multinational force. In an area of continuing tension, they patrol 24/7 along the Buffer Zone that separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. The Buffer Zone extends approximately 180km across the island, and patrolling helps to keep the peace and maintain stability in the country. Join Major Holt, Private Ball and Lance Corporal Quigley from 6 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps as they share their stories and experiences of life inside the Buffer Zone on Operation TOSCA.

In the latest episode of our podcast, join Leading Seaman Fawcett, Sub-Lieutenant Mileham and Chief Petty Officer Fitzgerald as they share their stories and experiences as part of the crew onboard HMS Tamar. HMS Tamar can perform a variety of roles from intercepting drug traffickers and smugglers to protecting UK territorial waters and providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of a disaster. She has also trained extensively to work with Royal Marines Commandos on board and search operations.

The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, has set off on their 28-week global deployment. The Carrier Strike Group will be engaging with more than one-fifth of the world's nations, including India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Singapore. Type 23 frigate HMS Kent is part of the UK Carrier Strike Group formation, supporting HMS Queen Elizabeth on her maiden deployment. Join Petty Officer Stansfield, Able Rate Castello and Lieutenant Tattersall as they discuss life onboard HMS Kent and what it is like being part of the UK Carrier Strike Group.

Whilst away on operations downtime is crucial, but how can our serving personnel enjoy their time away from the action? Join Guardsman Sixsmith, Lance Sergeant Henry, Lance Sergeant McCormella and Guardsman Lilly as they discuss life as part of the UK Mobility Company deployed on Operation SHADER 12 in Iraq. No strangers to Iraq, for the last six years the UK Armed Forces have been passing on their skills and drills to the Iraqi forces. In 2014, and in parallel to the air campaign led by the Royal Air Force, a small team of experts from the British Army were sent to Iraq to train forces there.

Operation RESCRIPT is the codename for the military response to COVID-19 in the UK. It is the biggest ever homeland military operation in peacetime. Join the commander of this historic operation, Lieutenant General Tyrone Urch as he talks with Lieutenant Jonathan, Lance Corporal Dirgha, Lieutenant Fabian and Flying Officer Eleanor as they discuss life on Operation RESCRIPT. On 23 March 2020, the UK went into a national lockdown to suppress the threat of COVID-19. What most people don't know is that planning for the pandemic began a lot before this date under the name Operation RESCRIPT. From testing to driving ambulances to administering vaccines, the Armed Forces have played a crucial role in the UK's response to the pandemic.

Take a seat, grab a brew and join Squadron Leader Lizzie, Corporal Tom and Padres Jonny and Michael as they discuss life in the Middle East in the fight against Daesh on Operation SHADER. The global terrorist group Daesh poses a threat to UK national security as it seeks to expand its terror network, using propaganda to radicalise and recruit citizens from the UK and around the world. That's why the UK Armed Forces work day and night to help defeat Daesh. The UK Armed Forces' latest mission in the Middle East has seen them work alongside 80 other nations to help provide safe and stable communities for the Iraqi people to live and work in, conducting the operation on both land and in the air.

Grab yourself a brew and join Reservists Sergeant Liam Wood, Captain Richard Roberts and Private Giles Maythan as they discuss life inside the Buffer Zone in Cyprus on Operation TOSCA. Operation TOSCA is the name given to the British contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Since 1974, the British Army has been deployed to Cyprus as part of the UK's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force there. As one of the longest-running continuous operations, around 260 soldiers from the British Army form the largest contingent of the multinational force. In an area of continuing tension, they patrol 24/7 along the Buffer Zone that separates the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, keeping the peace and maintaining stability in the country.

Grab a brew, take a seat and join Captain Alex Bradford, Captain Kit Lewis and Captain Alex Park as they discuss life in Somalia on Operation TANGHAM. Somalia's vast stretches of coastline along the Horn of Africa are infamous for stories of piracy and illegal activity, but less known is the country's internal struggle with a lingering insurgency borne from civil war and extremist influence. Since 2017, the UK Armed Forces have been playing an active role in reinstating security and stability in Somalia by building skills within the Somali National Army (SNA).

Head to the sunny climate of Bahrain and hear about life on Operation KIPION from Lieutenant Commander Andrew 'Sharkey', Lieutenant Zoe Jones and AB(SC) Rebecca McKenzie. Operation KIPION is the name given to the Royal Navy's presence in the Gulf and Indian Ocean. The Royal Navy has been present in the Gulf for more than 30 years securing the safe flow of trade goods. The Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are on patrol in the region 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Eating mussels in the desert, Justin Bieber bed covers and a peculiar unidentified cactus, deploy to Mali with the Royal Air Force in this episode as they work alongside French forces on counter-terror operations in Mali. Flight Lieutenant Matt Jeffery, Flight Lieutenant Steve Wilders and Corporal Marc Towner talk about their time with French forces over a hot brew. The UK Armed Forces have been deployed to Mali since 2013, providing logistical support to French combat forces. In 2018, the Royal Air Force deployed three Chinook (CH-47) helicopters to provide logistical heavy ‘air-lift' support to the French counter-terror mission in the region. In 2020, after two years the Chinooks and their crews have completed more than 2,000 flying hours, moved over 1,000 tons of equipment and over 12,000 passengers.

Find out what life is like on a UN Peacekeeping operation in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Captain Jonathan Quicke, Sergeant Matthew Thurtle and Lance Corporal Matt Hughes talk about their time in Mali over a hot brew. As part of the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in Mali, soldiers from the British Army and across defence are helping to bring peace and security to the country. The Light Dragoons and the Royal Anglian Regiment form the basis of the new task group comprising soldiers from across defence with a wide array of skills, from bomb disposal experts to drone operators and a state-of-the-art medical team.