Armed Forces Day - 27 June 2009
All tickets for Armed Forces Day have now been allocated. Only those who have applied for and received their tickets in advance will be able to gain entry on the day
Armed Forces Week in Medway!|
A fantastic day out packed with ceremony, excitement, have-a-go adventure and commemoration
The day will commence with a Celebration Parade!
The day will commence with a Celebration Parade through Chatham town centre featuring contingents from the three armed forces led by a Royal Marines Band. The veterans’ contingents, complete with standards will join the parade as it proceeds into The Historic Dockyard where a royal salute will take place prior to an open air Drumhead service.
Throughout the day, displays and activities will take place on land, water and in the air as some of the very best assets of the armed forces swing into action. Specific display areas will include those for the aviation buffs at Anchor Wharf where the RAF will take centre stage, a British Army Expo, the Sea Cadet Corps Village, Soldiers Through-the-Ages tableaux and an exciting programme of activities on and over the river.
The event will very firmly place the entire Armed Forces family of veterans, current Forces and Cadets at the centre of an outstanding occasion
In the heart of The Historic Dockyard, Museum Square will become the “Veterans’ Rendezvous” where music, catering, promotions stands and other entertainment will create a venue of veteran relevant interest.
Back by popular demand to entertain the veterans will be the little blonde bombshell, Forces Sweetheart KAZ
In the primary Armed Forces areas, have-a-go adventure and fun will be the order of the day as young and old alike are invited to try their hands at a whole host of activities including drive a digger, bricklaying and mine-detecting with the Sappers, an inflatable assault course, a shooting range and climbing wall with the RAF Regiment. At the dockyard’s Thunderbolt Pier, a Royal Naval ship will be open to visitors and at Anchor Wharf, visitors will be able to get that extra special close up photo with a three-quarrter size Euro Fighter Typhoon 'mock up' and even sit in the cock pit of a close to full size Chinook 'mock up'. Subject to operational commitments, it is planned for Rolyal Naval ships to be opened to visitors at Thunerbolt Pier within The Historic Dockyard and at No. 2 Basin at Chatham Maritime.
In the air, there will be flypasts by the world-renowned 'Red Arrows' and Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The military displays will be joined by those of the RNLI, Kent Fire and Rescue, BAE Systems, HM Coastguard, Bactec International, military vehicle preservation groups, and many more in an ever increasing list of participants.