So how long does it take your DP to return from Afghanistan?

[orienteerer]

I'm just looking for sympathy! To put this in perspective DH & I are both ex regular Army (so appreciate & know situation) and this is DH's 2nd (Govt) contract in Afghanistan. This time round (2nd contract so been there many times before) it's his 2nd R&R and, ho hummmm, he's delayed yet again. He was due to leave his FOB last night and has now been delayed for 2nd night running. I know the scenario but just want a little sympathy, he was due in UK on Thu and we are booked on Eurotunnel on Sat!! Help.

Very short "bump"....

Db got stuck as problems with Crabair both ways and flight brought forward going back.

Thanks scaryteacher. Sadly he's still stuck in some dusty compound & now there's a dust storm. He's relying on our transatlantic chums to get him out of ground zero, after that a combination of GB then UN then scheduled. On his last contract he was with Crabair, ironically he had less delays, but you can't do much about the sand storms. Ho hum, looks like DS the dog and I will be going solo to France at this rate.

Oh that sucks! Im an ex army wife and no all too well how this goes.... we leave when we leave - we're home when we're home. Practically impossible to make plans. Friends of mine had booked a holiday to south africa and two days before they were due to go his coy were stood to at 24hrs notice to move bfore not 12 hours later being sent to Afghan, most frustating! Feel your pain

MN hug for you luvvy

Thanks fatheadsgirl.

Ho hum, hopefully 5th time(!) lucky. This is DH's 5th night waiting for a flight, Ist night was mechanical failure and last 3 nights no move due to sand storm. DS, the dog and I will now be going on holiday on our own on Sat. Hopefully if and when DH makes it back to UK he'll be heading for Portsmouth by train & Normandy by ferry. I can't wait to negotiate all those French toll booths without a front seat passenger.

To be fair to the RAF boys handling the flight its not their fault the darn planes keep breaking down. If the MoD would shell out for a few more suitable aircraft they wouldn't have this problem.

DH was DAMO at Basra in 2005 and had to deal with, understandably, upset troops and few stroppy high-ranking officers too. It wasn't much fun for him having people shout at him for something that wasn't his fault.