Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Break in at Brize Norton two jets damaged

159 replies

justasking111 · 20/06/2025 09:32

I'm stunned that the base used by the prime minister, ministers, the royal family VIPs from overseas can be breached like this so easily.

Apparently by a Palestinian organisation.

We can't even defend on our own soil

"Two e-scooter riding pro-Palestine activists breach RAF Brize Norton and sabotage two... - LBC" https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/raf-planes-sabotaged-palestine-protesters-brize-norton-security-breach/

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
justasking111 · 21/06/2025 23:08

Dilbertian · 21/06/2025 22:41

All of which is geared towards harnessing the strength of the grassroots and directing it towards bringing down Israel...

So not to stop the war in Gaza, not to help Palestinians live their lives in peace and security, not to ensure human rights for Palestinians.

No. To bring down Israel.

They are terrorists and should be treated as such.

In your opinion of course.

OP posts:
Dilbertian · 21/06/2025 22:41

All of which is geared towards harnessing the strength of the grassroots and directing it towards bringing down Israel...

So not to stop the war in Gaza, not to help Palestinians live their lives in peace and security, not to ensure human rights for Palestinians.

No. To bring down Israel.

They are terrorists and should be treated as such.

lazyarse123 · 21/06/2025 22:27

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 21/06/2025 20:17

has this ever happened? no.
how likely is it? not very.

Show quote history

Why bother having any military then if it won't be needed?

notimagain · 21/06/2025 22:23

NeverDropYourMooncup · 21/06/2025 22:19

Kind of like telling us to fit a 3 pin into a US socket, isn't it?

Show quote history

Ah haaa,, never thought of it like that, neat analogy..

NeverDropYourMooncup · 21/06/2025 22:19

notimagain · 21/06/2025 22:12

@Longtimelurkerfinallyposts

The RAF have been refuelling US and Israeli fighter

Oh this is getting better...please explain how they have managed this, precisely....(not just "they've joined two aircraft up",)

It's late so a few key words/phrases to maybe help:

"Flying boom"
"Probe and drogue"
"Incompatibility"

Kind of like telling us to fit a 3 pin into a US socket, isn't it?

notimagain · 21/06/2025 22:12

@Longtimelurkerfinallyposts

The RAF have been refuelling US and Israeli fighter

Oh this is getting better...please explain how they have managed this, precisely....(not just "they've joined two aircraft up",)

It's late so a few key words/phrases to maybe help:

"Flying boom"
"Probe and drogue"
"Incompatibility"

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 21/06/2025 21:54

The RAF have been refuelling US and Israeli fighter jets.
(as well as providing cargo transport and using 'spy planes' to carry out reconnaisance for Israel over Palestine).

This has been known (by activists) for quite a long time, and is now (as a result of this action) finally being reported in the mainstream media.

I note that the people who took this action targetted these particular planes, but did not damage other planes parked up at Brize Norton (eg the Vespina one used by the Prime Minister), so no, they weren't as 'indiscriminate' as you suggest, @notimagain

notimagain · 21/06/2025 21:27

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 21/06/2025 20:20

You're missing the point of the action - to target the planes that are actually being used to shore up Israel's genocide. The RAF is using surveillance/ refuelling aircraft for this, NOT their fighter planes.

Show quote history

...to target the planes that are actually being used to shore up Israel's genocide. The RAF is using surveillance/ refuelling aircraft for this, NOT their fighter planes.

Well someone"s certainly missing the point.. and a logical target for that matter.

If surveillance aircraft are a worry the protesters going after a Voyager was a really odd choice, pretty dull really.

....and as I asked another poster earlier on today - what aircraft do you think Voyagers might be refuelling that are involved in shoring up "Israel's genocide"?

I think in all honesty all the protesters did was go for the easiest, softest air force target they could find within easy reach of London..they didn't care if what they damaged had any relevance to the Israel/Palestine conflict or not...it would be nice in a way if they were at least a bit honest about being indiscriminate...

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 21/06/2025 20:20

notimagain · 21/06/2025 09:17

TBH I'd be slightly more impressed if the vandals had actually gone after a fighter or similar, rather than trying to ground those aircraft that might be needed if there's a requirement to British nationals out of e.g Cyprus.

But going after an actual combat aircraft might have been a bit risky, especially at some bases....

Show quote history

You're missing the point of the action - to target the planes that are actually being used to shore up Israel's genocide. The RAF is using surveillance/ refuelling aircraft for this, NOT their fighter planes.

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 21/06/2025 20:17

lazyarse123 · 21/06/2025 13:29

Just have a little think about that. What if one of the dictators around the world and god knows there's a few to choose from decided to attack us directly? What would we use for defence?

Show quote history

has this ever happened? no.
how likely is it? not very.

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 21/06/2025 20:13

Vivienne1000 · 20/06/2025 22:22

Thank you for your compliment.
I work full time, am honest and don’t try and disrupt people going about their business. I didn’t go to boarding school and live off trust funds. I wouldn’t dream of vandalising aircraft which had been used in dropping aid in Gaza. If they had been shot then it’s their fault. I suggest these idiots go to the border and beg to be allowed to go and help in Palestine. That might earn respect.
lets be honest they wouldn’t do thst would they?

Dropping aid in Gaza?
What are you on about?

You know that Israel controls the borders and often stops international observers from going to Palestine?

OP posts:
Original poster
justasking111 · 21/06/2025 18:58

Cyprus has arrested an Iranian accused of spying on the base there since April.

OP posts:
SerendipityJane · 21/06/2025 17:45

Reading the BBC "story" about the UKs dilemma with Iran, does rather make you ask "cui bono" over all this nonsense ?

Madcatdudette · 21/06/2025 17:43

SerendipityJane · 21/06/2025 17:23

That is an outrageous accusation.

G4S and ATOS also have a piece.

And you will be hearing from Fujitsus lawyers if you repeat that libel.

Show quote history

I confess, I forgot about them 🤣🤣

MistressoftheDarkSide · 21/06/2025 17:38

SerendipityJane · 21/06/2025 17:23

That is an outrageous accusation.

G4S and ATOS also have a piece.

And you will be hearing from Fujitsus lawyers if you repeat that libel.

Show quote history

And suddenly I miss the laugh emoji 😂

High five 👋 xxx

SerendipityJane · 21/06/2025 17:23

Madcatdudette · 21/06/2025 17:00

@MistressoftheDarkSide Serco might as well own the UK at this point. Is there anything our governments won’t hand over for Serco to manage 🤷‍♀️

That is an outrageous accusation.

G4S and ATOS also have a piece.

And you will be hearing from Fujitsus lawyers if you repeat that libel.

Madcatdudette · 21/06/2025 17:00

@MistressoftheDarkSide Serco might as well own the UK at this point. Is there anything our governments won’t hand over for Serco to manage 🤷‍♀️

SerendipityJane · 21/06/2025 15:20

MistressoftheDarkSide · 21/06/2025 14:47

Of course, perimeter security could be another matter. But there's probably alot of shouting going on right now along the lines of "how the fuck did this happen?" All the way down the line. Be interesting to be a fly on those walls.

It happened because nobody stopped it.

Make of that what you will ...

Original poster
justasking111 · 21/06/2025 15:18

MistressoftheDarkSide · 21/06/2025 14:32

Just been poking around on Reddit, and it is being claimed that security on bases in the UK is done by Serco and G4S. If that's the case, it's definitely just a duck.

OH fhs 🙈

OP posts:
notimagain · 21/06/2025 15:11

@LakieLady

. They didn't want the planes used to aid refuelling of planes in Israel's war

Which aircraft do you or the activists think the RAF Voyagers are refuelling?

MistressoftheDarkSide · 21/06/2025 15:04

notimagain · 21/06/2025 14:58

And?

As it says it's a contract to provide "multi-activity logistical, engineering and airfield services."..

No mention of security that I can see, apologies if I've missed it.

In fact I owe you a thanks for highlighting it because it is a classic example of something I referred to way back in this thread, the contracterisation of support roles in the RAF.

That in turn led to fewer enlisted personnel.being available to perform the PITA jobs overnight and at weekends such as guarding the main gate, or sentry type duties.

Show quote history

I just posted it to verify that Serco are involved with providing services at Brize Norton, because it could have been a Reddit fever dream.

And I too need an education in the contracting out of things associated with the military because those of us with little direct knowledge or experience of military life probably assume that most of it is done by well - the military.

So I'm getting a bit of an education here, which is no bad thing 😊

EasternStandard · 21/06/2025 15:04

LakieLady · 21/06/2025 14:51

That was precisely the objective. They didn't want the planes used to aid refuelling of planes in Israel's war. Afaik, Palestine Action restrict their actions to property, not people, and I think banning protest movements that don't actually harm people is absurd. This lot would probably have banned the Greenham women if they'd been in power in the early 80s.

My understanding is that Palestine Action's objective is to hinder Israel's ability to carry on their (probably) illegal war in Gaza. They've succeeded in getting at least one company making stuff for the Israeli military to leave the UK.

I'm appalled that this government is contemplating supporting Israel in this way, especially when the ICC has issued arrest warrants for its PM and defence minister. There's at least a prima facie case that war crimes have been committed. Allowing RAF refuelling planes to assist Israel in suspected war crimes is disgraceful imo and makes the UK complicit in those suspected crimes.

Show quote history

I’m glad people are not just free to attack in the way you’re after.

notimagain · 21/06/2025 14:58

MistressoftheDarkSide · 21/06/2025 14:43

https://www.serco.com/uk/media-and-news/2024/serco-awarded-ps31m-contract-extension-to-continue-to-provide-support-services-at-raf-brize-norton

And?

As it says it's a contract to provide "multi-activity logistical, engineering and airfield services."..

No mention of security that I can see, apologies if I've missed it.

In fact I owe you a thanks for highlighting it because it is a classic example of something I referred to way back in this thread, the contracterisation of support roles in the RAF.

That in turn led to fewer enlisted personnel.being available to perform the PITA jobs overnight and at weekends such as guarding the main gate, or sentry type duties.

Pedallleur · 21/06/2025 14:52

justasking111 · 21/06/2025 14:04

Back in the day my dear friend spent three weeks at Greenham common. Another friend Faslane. No-one was able to wander in with paint back then.

Cruise missiles/nuclear submarines and missiles. Different security procedures.