Watching the whole ground activities and then a takeoff of one of those birds was such a moving sight. Saw it a few times at RAF Mildenhall. Watching it takeoff and then go vertical into the dark morning sky (with the rocket like afterburners) is something I'll never forget.
Shared lodging with some of those guys back in the day. They had rooms at the ends of the "Morgue" at Mildenhall. They had to cut holes in the doorways so they could fit their egos through and not get concussions
They did look fabulous at the OClub in their polyester party flight suits, though.