Vikings actor swaps longship for RAF transport aircraft as he heads to Brize Norton

Clive Standen, an actor best known for his roles in Vikings and Taken, stepped out of the studio and into the world of military operations.

He joined 1 Air Mobility Wing at RAF Brize Norton, the UK's largest military air base.

Mr Standen immersed himself in the frenetic world of air mobility, logistics, and precision military operations, experiencing the discipline and teamwork that makes the RAF a vital component of UK defence.

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"Recently, I was invited to join the team at 1 Air Mobility Wing Royal Air Force at RAF Brize Norton for a week to understand their vital role in ensuring UK defence personnel and equipment are delivered globally," the 44-year-old said in an Instagram post to his 1.2 million followers.

The actor, who played Rollo in Vikings in over 40 episodes of the hit Netflix series, went behind the scenes at the base for a documentary produced by the RAF.

The video showcases everything from early mornings to high-stakes air missions.

Mr Standen was pushed to his limits in several difficult, real-world scenarios alongside the personnel who serve within the RAF.

1 Air Mobility Wing focuses on passenger and cargo handling, and the safe loading and unloading of military transport aircraft, the RAF have said.

The RAF documentary on Mr Standen's experience is available to watch on YouTube.