Voices of the Armed Forces | Fancy a Brew‪?‬ Ministry of Defence

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.