Senior Aircraftman Paul Goodfellow
Job role: RAF Regiment Gunner

Joined the RAF: April 2005

Overseas travel: Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, Cyprus, Qatar

Career highlights:

• Being awarded the Association Trophy for Drill and Deportment for my efforts during basic training
• Filming video diaries for YouTube for six months and being interviewed by the BBC while on operational duty in Afghanistan
• Being in the [em]RAF news[/em] for my part in capturing an insurgent rocket team in Basra in 2006

‘Gunners provide ground support and security for air assets such as aircraft equipment and personnel, so you can be sent anywhere in the world where the RAF is operating. Within eight months of joining and after I had completed all the necessary training, I was on the front line in Iraq.

‘My day usually starts with an inspection – the RAF Regiment is big on ironed uniforms and polished boots! Then we’ll do some physical training. RAF Regiment training is the most intense you get in the RAF, so it’s really important to keep fit. In the afternoon we do skills and drills; I could be on the range shooting targets, doing weapons handling tests, or learning about a new piece of equipment that’s come into service.

‘Before going overseas we do specialist training on the country and situation we’re travelling to. The local people’s perspective of the British military is based on the troops they see everyday, so you have to respect their culture and understand how they live. They’re going to judge the rest of the coalition forces on your behaviour.

‘I’ve worked alongside the Americans, the Canadians and the Dutch. There’s a good rapport among the troops when you’re on operations, we’re all in it together after all. It’s tough being away from your family, but when you come back people are just so proud of you.

‘For six months in Afghanistan I did a daily video diary, I filmed everything from patrols to weapons training and even what I got up to in my spare time. It was definitely the best thing I’ve done for the RAF. I also play the guitar, I’m doing a gig next month for the RAF Benevolent Fund.’

Web Chat session with Senior Aircraftman Paul Goodfellow - Thursday 22 November 2007

Rob H: Hi Paul, Nice to see you back. How was the tour, and your wee stay in Cyprus?

Paul Goodfellow: at times the tour was demanding both physically and emotionally. but also an enjoyable experience, the stay in cyprus was great especially having a few beers with the lads i'd served with

Cpl James: Hi SAC Goodfellow, just like to ask, who asked you to film the diary for youtube out in afghanistan

Paul Goodfellow: The Royal Air Force I did it on behalf of the Royal Air Force marketing

Cpl James: have you ever served with the Queens Colour Squadron yet? Do you get the chance to become part of the Queens Colour Sqn

Paul Goodfellow: I haven't had the opportunity to serve with them yet, but I have friends currently stationed with the unit and it is something i would like to do in the future

Steven: What was the hardest part of the training for you?

Paul Goodfellow: Staying up at all hours of the evening getting your kit ready for inspection in the morning and then being told it wasn't good enough

ChrisSIdhu: How much oppertunity is there for promotion or moving into other roles within the REgiment?

Paul Goodfellow: Promotion in the Regiment is very good at the moment, if you work hard you will be rewarded

gaz: paul how did you find the raf regiment training can u give us any tips to help me prepare for it.

Paul Goodfellow: i found the training physically and mentally demanding, but great fun and if you want to see guys doing the training at the moment it's here on the careers website

Air cadets 2457: What do you think of air cadets and were you a air cadet before you joined the RAF

Paul Goodfellow: i wasn't an air cadet but i think it is a worth while experience for any potential recruit

GRs: Heh there Paul, thanks for the insight into tour life with the video diaries. I hear that most servicemen give each other nicknames? If so have 51sqn or the B flight lads given you any interesting ones?

Paul Goodfellow: i am know as goody, hollywood goodfellow and oasis wannabe

Cpl James: What weapons do you fire when you are on duty?

Paul Goodfellow: I am LSW (light support weapon) gunner

weerossiman: After your training do you get to decide what you want to further train as? Or do you get sent to a squadron anywhere?

Paul Goodfellow: after training you are most likely to be sent to a field squadron and be sent on tour to gain experience, after a couple of years in the service there are many other roles available such as special forces support group

Steven: while in training or on duty was there any point which you wished you had chosen a different career path?

Paul Goodfellow: at times the job is extremely difficult but the rewards and life experience i have gained would never have been available in any other career

john lewis: hello SAC Goodfellow, just wondering how long have you served in the RAF and how many tours have you done so far?

Paul Goodfellow: i have been in just under three years, and i have served in both Iraq and Afghanistan

ollie: Hi,I was wondering if you ever wanted to be an aircrew and if you are happy that you chose not to be

Paul Goodfellow: in Afghanistan i got the opportunity to work with aircraft quite often, you don't have to be aircrew to fly in the RAF!

MP Sqnldr: Do you specialise in any fields, sniper, etc

Paul Goodfellow: secondary duty is a team medic, before i deployed to afghanistan i was trained by ex-sas medics

GRs: lol, Hollywood, thats a good one it suits your camera style. Do you plan to do any more TV work? Or is it back to crawling round muddy fields?

Paul Goodfellow: crawling around muddy fields with a camera following

Coco: hi Goody - did you make friends with any of the yanks out there at KAF?

Paul Goodfellow: yes i got to work with the americans quite a lot, as well as the dutch and canadians

Kevin Goodfellow: What has been the proudest moment of your career

Paul Goodfellow: passing out into the regiment watching my dad cry (hello dad)

Chloe: HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU GET TO GO HOME PER YEAR?

Paul Goodfellow: the RAF will try and give you as much time off as possible after serving an operation, as to how times you get home a year depends on where your unit is deployed around the world

weerossiman: Since training have you only been with 51 squadron? if so were you made to go into that squadron or did you have a choice?

Paul Goodfellow: i choosed to go 51 squadron as they were due to go to iraq shortly after my training, the squadron has been great for making friends and learning new skills, i do plan to serve on other squadrons in the future

Moderator: Thanks for all your questions. We’ve had a huge response and will do our best to answer as many as we can.

Gunner Tom: would you say the regiment is a secure career, from cut backs etc, will the Regiment always be needed.

Paul Goodfellow: there will always be a need to defend air bases the british military couldn't go anywhere in the world without the RAF therefore the regiment play an integral part in today's royal air force

Chuck: do u have to do survial training

Paul Goodfellow: part of your basic gunner training teaches you to life in the wilderness, survival skills play a very big part in soldiering

Steven: after serving in iraq and afghanistan how easy is it to get back to normal when you arrive back home?

Paul Goodfellow: the excitment of getting back home and seeing family and friends is surreal, but the RAF give you pleanty of time off to aclimatize

Cpl James: Do you have any tips for us like how to get your parade shoes absolutney shiny?

Paul Goodfellow: queens colour squadron are experts at this, i tend to spend hours bulling my shoes there is no real tip just a lot of hard work

Hodson.: is it possible, like in the army, to do a commando course

Paul Goodfellow: yes it is possible, my ex sergeant did a detachment with the royal marines and gained his commando dagger

Cdt thomas: If you could do one thing in the raf (serving in another country, a different job ANYTHING!) what would it be?

Paul Goodfellow: become an airbourne trooper

Steven: how did your family and friends feel about you going to places like iraq?

Paul Goodfellow: i think the prospect was very daunting, but they were well aware that the royal air force had trained me correctly and to a high standard

Rob H: Do you get to go to other bases when on tour, considering you are in the RAF Regiment like Camp Bastion or even FOBs?

Paul Goodfellow: in afghanistan i managed to get to a couple of fobs, the squadron at times deployed and set up their own fobs in the desert. on operations the job can take you anywhere

jono247: hiya goody thnx for doing those video diaries m8 im due to do PGAC on the 3rd of december so it was great to see wat life is like on combat tour what would you say was the hardest tour for you and 51 squadron

Paul Goodfellow: i found my first tour of iraq the hardest, it was like on the job training as i was doing it for real for the very first time

Steven: when i was speaking to you at the careers office in Newcastle a few weeks ago you said you were on 24 hour call is that still the same?

Paul Goodfellow: i am currently on stand by as a battle replacement for afghanistan but that ends at the end of this month - don't worry it's not all bad

Charlie: Hi i'm really interested about joining the RAF, but im not sure about what part to join, when u were thinking about joining did u always think you would be a gunner? or did u see a careers advisor which influenced your direction?

Paul Goodfellow: the best advice is from the careers office staff, they will speak to you about your life and experiences and direct you to the role that willl suit you as an individual

weerossiman: What do you do with your free time while on base?

Paul Goodfellow: i play the guitar, and i am representing the raf at a concert in the near future, i also do alot of sport and socializing with the troops

john lewis: referance you conversation about promotion, how long are you looking at before you get your first stripe? depending on how good an SAC you are and experience is it around 3/4 years before you get Lcpl?

Paul Goodfellow: the raf regiment doesn't have a lance corporal rank but the responsibilty of being a fire team commander depends on your performance as a gunner, if you work hard you could find yourself leading a fire team within two and half years like myslef

Andrews: is there alot of comparisons made between the raf reg and the other forces equivelents? i.e. marines and paras?

Paul Goodfellow: the training and job is very similair to that of the marines and para reg. we are all combat infantry

Moderator: Thanks for all your questions. We’ve had a huge response and will do our best to answer as many as we can

ollie: When your deployed in on operations did you have any moments where you thought that i shoudnt ahve joined the RAF and just worked in an office?

Paul Goodfellow: ha ha ha, at times i questioned why i joined but when you are helping to build a democracy in somewhere like afghanistan, and the local population thank you for being there it makes it all worth while

haydn from 471 sqn atc: hey did you know what you wanted to be before you joined up

Paul Goodfellow: i used to be in the civilian police force so i guess wearing a uniform has always been my thing

Cpl James: Do you have sports matches against other parts of the RAF, say Regiment v RAF Police etc?

Paul Goodfellow: yes we do and we also play the army and the navy and if you are really good there is a tri-service team

Derek_Gilder: Does the training that you do help you to prepare mentally for the worst? The thought of having to shoot a weapon at an actual person to try to kill them for example.

Paul Goodfellow: it takes a certain person to serve in the raf regiment. but having to fire a weapon could be part of any job in the royal air force

jono247: my m8's a royal marine and me dad was in the royal fusiliers for 14 years and they both laugh and joke about each others regiments is there much competition between british forces and how is the raf regiment viewed by them

Paul Goodfellow: there is a lot of competition and everyone wants to be the best at the end of the day we are all there for the same purpose, on operations everyone works together

weerossiman: Was there times when you were away on duty that you felt you weren't welcome by the locals? and what reaction did they give you?

Paul Goodfellow: yes at times locals were not as friendly as usual this is for a number reasons. they could be scared to talk to us due to insurgent activity or we may have offended them without realizing it's important to respect other cultures and beliefs especially as a front line troop

Cpl James: do you work alongside RAF Police on keeping security?

Paul Goodfellow: in iraq i worked on the main gate of basra airbase alongside the raf police and in afghanistan the raf police came on patrol with us

tomjj: hey paul i spoke to you on ur diaries so good to speak again- are there going to be any videos about life on base?

Paul Goodfellow: yes there is i am currently working on some special documentaries on life in the uk as an raf regiment gunner - keep checking the site they are on their way i promise

Gunner Tom: where did the nickname "Guin" come from

Paul Goodfellow: penguin's birds that can't fly

Rob H: Hows the Monkey doing you got in Afganistan?

Paul Goodfellow: i'd like to think he's still fit and well. he is a rock ape after all

Cpl James: When you are on tours to afghanistan, do you still get to do sports activities?

Paul Goodfellow: yes it's very important to get in the gym and keep fitness up especially on operations

Moderator: Thanks for all your questions. We’ve had a huge response and will do our best to answer as many as we can

lclarke: on ur traning when u had to learn how to put on and live in a NBC suit, and go in to the gas chamber how did that feel?

Paul Goodfellow: very wierd at first, and the gas chamber was not a pleasant experience but nbc training is very important as it could save your life one day

Cpl James: Are there internet cafe's or phone booths on RAF base to talk to family and friends?

Paul Goodfellow: yes i have wireless connection in my room and a phoneline which helps me keep in contact with loved ones back home

weerossiman: Do you know where your next tour is going to be and how long in advance do you prepare for going away?

Paul Goodfellow: 51 squadron could well be returning to iraq next year you will get told well in advance as there is a lot of training to complete before going on operations

Cpl James: What is RAF life like on base?What is the food like at your RAF base

Paul Goodfellow: an raf base is like a small community at raf lossiemouth we have a bowling alley, outdoors sports facilities, a large indoor gym two bars an internet cafe, and the junior ranks food is very good you can eat as much as you like three times a day

Daniel: How mny langues do u spk?

Paul Goodfellow: i've learnt basic arabic, and pastu after serving in iraq and afghanistan but i am not fluent

MP Sqnldr: I'm a MP Officer at RAF Lossiemouth, We work very close with the RAF REGT sqn's how have you felt working with the MP's. Also how has it be seeing other sections do their jobs, fancy any?

Paul Goodfellow: coming from a civilain police force background i have enjoyed working with the mps, also on operations they work very hard and my respect for them is massive - say hello to me up lossie

Gunner Tom: Where do you see the Regiment in the future, increasing in size? reducing in size?

Paul Goodfellow: increasing in size the demand for gunners is always there

Craig: i was looking to be a PTI but i know you can't apply to be one until ur 17 and a half so are there any colleges you can go to from when your 16 until you r the right age or do you just have to wait

Paul Goodfellow: speak to your local afco

Cpl James: do you do alot of office work or are you doing the practical side such as in the field training?

Paul Goodfellow: practical side mostly which is what you join for - boys and their toys

Arron: how did you come about doing this live chat one the website?

Paul Goodfellow: due to the success of the raf afghan diaries on youtube

eagle man: I am going to go rifle shooting with my air cadet squadron during the weekend for the first time have you got any tips.

Paul Goodfellow: make sure you do your drills correctly and listen to your instructors and enjoy

Cpl James: Did you have a driving licence before entering the RAF or did you gain it in the RAF

Paul Goodfellow: i already had mine from the police, but the raf will pay for you to get yours i have done my hgv through the raf

Corporal1218: What RAF Station are you based at when in the UK?

Paul Goodfellow: i am based at raf lossiemouth in scotland near inverness but there are regiment bases all over the uk

Cpl James: Do you get rewarded highy for your tasks? With your medal from afghanistan, are you permitted to wear it all time when in uniform?

Paul Goodfellow: you wear it on your number one uniform at parades, it's a great honour to wear a medal on your chest

Rob H: How does it feel influencing loads of people to join the RAF Regt? You certainly have made me so Happydays!

Paul Goodfellow: it's an honour to pass on my experience and knowledge, it's a rewarding career if you put the effort in Happy Days

2378 (cybi) sqn atc: wats the best rifle you have fired

Paul Goodfellow: the light support weapon is very accurate, but you can't beat firing an ak47

Cpl James: Do you get trained to handle a weapon at all jobs of the RAF?

Paul Goodfellow: everyone in the raf is trained to fire a rifle

robbo: why didnt u join army rather than RAF regiment?

Paul Goodfellow: i spoke to all three services and got the best positive response form the royal air force

shivon: My son has just been to the careers centre and we were discussing fitness levels,He is not particularly a sporty boy, what kind of exercise will help prepare him for fitness test he may undergo?

Paul Goodfellow: there is an excercise page on the web site http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/nextsteps/fitnessprogramme.cfm we are not looking for super heroes, as long as you are determined the raf will get you to the standard required

Ross MacLaren: Where has been the best place you have visited whilst in the RAF?

Paul Goodfellow: i have enjoyed all the places i have been too for very different reasons but chilling out with a beer on a beach in cyprus after six in afghanistan was very nice

Steven: when on tour how do you keep track of events at home such as family and how bad newcastle are doing at football?

Paul Goodfellow: via the internet and the odd out of date newspaper - enough said about newcastle and their football ha ha

Cpl James: do you have good housing facilities. Do you have a TV in your room or computer etc?

Paul Goodfellow: yes most raf bases offer en suite rooms now, i have tv and a computer in mine

shivon: How difficult is the transition from civvy to new recruit for young people joining the regiment?

Paul Goodfellow: it's a massive transformation, but in a very good way you will become more confident and gain great life and people skills

rob: what do you like best about your job paul ?

Paul Goodfellow: traveling and meeting new people - and obviously playing with guns is great

eagle man: what aircraft have you flown in with the raf

Paul Goodfellow: i have flown in chinook, puma, hercules, vc10 the list goes on

barney: if you get promoted to cpl, what jobs would you face?

Paul Goodfellow: more jobs become available the higher the rank, instructor duties and leading a section of men on operations is integral to the rank of corporal

Cpl James: Would you consider another job in the RAF besides a Gunner

Paul Goodfellow: no

jono247: do you recieve a medal for every tour or just once per place uve been to

Paul Goodfellow: you only get a medal if you serve for 30 days or more in an operational theatre

Cpl James: how old were you when you went to AFCO for the first time?

Paul Goodfellow: i joined at the age of 20 - but you can join the regiment from the age of 16 but you won't serve on tour until you are 18

Music-mad-chic1: What do you do to cope with being apart from your family and friends? Only I’ve never been away from my family and though I’m thinking about joining the RAF this really worries me a lot.

Paul Goodfellow: being away form family and friends is very difficult - probably the hardest part of the job but when you return home after six months away people are very proud of you - but the friends you make on squadron and the people you serve with are like your family, my battle buddies are like brothers

Cdt thomas: If you could go back to either iraq or afghanistan would you? and how long for?

Paul Goodfellow: i will go where ever the raf choose to send me for however long, it's part of my job to serve queen and country

Hodson.: is there every a time when you do notthing and stay at the barracks ?

Paul Goodfellow: we are always training and keeping our skills finely tuned, there is never a dull moment in the raf regiment

PURPLE GENIE: If there was one thing you could change about your job what would it be and why?

Paul Goodfellow: if i could change anything it would be a better public understanding of the raf regiment and what we do, we seem to be the regiment that britain forgot

acoops: hi paul, did you go straight from school after GCSEs or did you go onto sixth form and then university as well?

Paul Goodfellow: i attended sixth form and gained my a levels i then did just under three years in the police force before joining the regiment

Moderator: This chat closes in 10 minutes.

shivon: Is there anything you really miss when on tour?

Paul Goodfellow: tv, football, family and friends, and the pub

Rob H: How many Ex Cadets (Air Cadets, Army Cadets etc.) do you get joining the RAF Regiment?

Paul Goodfellow: we have quite a few ex-cadets joining the gunner on my basic training who won top student was ex-cadets so it is worth while

Waverider: How much freedom were you given to speak openly in your YouTube videos? How did this affect what you said?

Paul Goodfellow: i tried to give a candid and honest account of life on the frontline with the regiment, hardly any of the footage was edited out - but if it effected operational secuirity it wasnt shown for obvious reason

Rob H: Is there a night out that the majority of the squadron go out together?

Paul Goodfellow: at lossiemouth it is tradition to go out on a wednesday night, there is usually a large christmas bash and a leaving bash before we go away on tour

Rob H: How long does your issued squaddie tan last after a tour in iraq or afganistan last?

Paul Goodfellow: sunbeds

Moderator: This chat closes in 5 minutes.

charlie brown: hows the rugby if in the raf regiment am a keen player!

Paul Goodfellow: if you are particularly good at rugby you could find yourself represting the RAF or the tri-service on a regular basis

Steven: what do you think your job would be now if you werent in the RAF? do you think you would still be with the police

Paul Goodfellow: i am very keen to travel and explore, i would probably be in some exoctic location playing the guitar but i wouldnt have it any other way - raf reg - live life on the edge

Paul Goodfellow: i would just like to thank everybody for logging in and asking questions - there more videos planned for youtube starting in early december - sorry to everybody who didnt get their questions answered

Views expressed during the web chats are those of individuals and do not necessarily reflect RAF policy.