BFBS Sitrep

Rosie Stone was recording an audio diary at the moment she came under fire on a patrol in Southern Afghanistan.

This was her first experience of a combat situation after more than eight years service in the Army.

But it became a very different learning experience as she was given shelter and tea by local Afghan women while a gun battle raged behind their compound wall.

Rosie shares her recording of that moment with Kate Gerbeau, and explains how that moment shaped her new life as an expert in human security and gender in conflict.

Rosie Stone was recording an audio diary at the moment she came under fire on a patrol in Southern Afghanistan.

This was her first experience of a combat situation after more than eight years service in the Army.

But it became a very different learning experience as she was given shelter and tea by local Afghan women while a gun battle raged behind their compound wall.

Rosie shares her recording of that moment with Kate Gerbeau, and explains how that moment shaped her new life as an expert in human security and gender in conflict.

On the 16th of December 2008 HMS Endurance suffered a very sudden and catastrophic flood in the South Atlantic.

Tom Sharpe was in temporary command of the Royal Navy ice breaker as her engine room filled in less than half an hour, and she lost power in turbulent seas.

Tom tells Kate Gerbeau why he ignored advice from the UK to abandon ship, how he led his crew to save the ship from sinking, and how it gave him confidence to lead without being risk averse.

On the 16th of December 2008 HMS Endurance suffered a very sudden and catastrophic flood in the South Atlantic.

Tom Sharpe was in temporary command of the Royal Navy ice breaker as her engine room filled in less than half an hour, and she lost power in turbulent seas.

Tom tells Kate Gerbeau why he ignored advice from the UK to abandon ship, how he led his crew to save the ship from sinking, and how it gave him confidence to lead without being risk averse.

“Please don’t look back, more dangerous times lie ahead which means you need to look forward… so that we are ready if war chooses us”. 

So says the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, in this special edition of Sitrep explaining what 2025 may bring.

Kate Gerbeau and Professor Michael Clarke tackle some of the biggest questions for our defence. Could fighting in Ukraine end, and might British troops be sent as peacekeepers or trainers? Would Russia make a military move against another European country? And will the Defence Review be a revolution or evolution for our Armed Forces

The Chief of Defence Staff, the heads of the Royal Navy and RAF, and a team of top experts also share their assessments of what’s most likely to lie ahead, right around the world.

“Please don’t look back, more dangerous times lie ahead which means you need to look forward… so that we are ready if war chooses us”. 

So says the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, in this special edition of Sitrep explaining what 2025 may bring.

Kate Gerbeau and Professor Michael Clarke tackle some of the biggest questions for our defence. Could fighting in Ukraine end, and might British troops be sent as peacekeepers or trainers? Would Russia make a military move against another European country? And will the Defence Review be a revolution or evolution for our Armed Forces

The Chief of Defence Staff, the heads of the Royal Navy and RAF, and a team of top experts also share their assessments of what’s most likely to lie ahead, right around the world.

Sitrep’s Simon Newton is back from the frontline of Ukraine’s war with Russia.  He shares stories from troops who led the push into Kursk,  how British Challenger 2 tanks are used (and extremely well hidden), and the challenges of even reaching the frontline.

The UK led Joint Expeditionary Force is a British defence success, according to a new study.  But the author Ed Arnold joins us to explain why the JEF is facing a use-it-or-lose-it moment that threatens the credibility of the force.

And Mike explains how military opportunism led to the downfall of Syria’s regime, why Israel has seized the same window of opportunity to launch a third major military campaign, and the West’s worries about the Islamic State terror group also seizing the moment.

Sitrep’s Simon Newton is back from the frontline of Ukraine’s war with Russia.  He shares stories from troops who led the push into Kursk,  how British Challenger 2 tanks are used (and extremely well hidden), and the challenges of even reaching the frontline.

The UK led Joint Expeditionary Force is a British defence success, according to a new study.  But the author Ed Arnold joins us to explain why the JEF is facing a use-it-or-lose-it moment that threatens the credibility of the force.

And Mike explains how military opportunism led to the downfall of Syria’s regime, why Israel has seized the same window of opportunity to launch a third major military campaign, and the West’s worries about the Islamic State terror group also seizing the moment.

Two architects of the Strategic Defence Review have lifted the lid on how they’re working on the plan for the future of our Armed Forces.

But when they tell MP’s one aim is to get it “as least wrong as possible” on predicting future conflicts, does that inspire confidence?  Kate and Mike are joined by Sitrep’s Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne to analyse what’s been revealed, and what is still shrouded in secrecy.

Syria’s civil war appeared dormant for years, but has suddenly reignited.  Last time it led to the UK’s Operation Shader against jihadist terrorists, so are we going to have to rethink the ending of that operation?

Brigadier Gavin Thompson explains why he and several dozen other British Officers are embedded into Kuwait’s armed forces, and gives an insight into their life and work in the small gulf state.

Two architects of the Strategic Defence Review have lifted the lid on how they’re working on the plan for the future of our Armed Forces.

But when they tell MP’s one aim is to get it “as least wrong as possible” on predicting future conflicts, does that inspire confidence?  Kate and Mike are joined by Sitrep’s Sian Grzeszczyk Melbourne to analyse what’s been revealed, and what is still shrouded in secrecy.

Syria’s civil war appeared dormant for years, but has suddenly reignited.  Last time it led to the UK’s Operation Shader against jihadist terrorists, so are we going to have to rethink the ending of that operation?

Brigadier Gavin Thompson explains why he and several dozen other British Officers are embedded into Kuwait’s armed forces, and gives an insight into their life and work in the small gulf state.