Photo courtesy of Lone Voice
Yes military matters again and I make no apology because if we don't have a strong military we're exposed to every madman with a grudge. The Telegraph states 'The shut-down of two RAF Tornado squadrons is to go ahead a year early in order to save money, leaving Britain with just eight aircraft kept ready to protect its skies.'
The 43 and 111 squadrons, which were due to stand down in late 2010, could be merged or axed from September although the MOD says it has not worked out the full details. The move will reportedly cut the number of fighter jets on standby to protect Britain from 25 to 12. However, it is said that at all times four of these will be undergoing maintenance, leaving only 8 on standby at any one time.
Senior defence sources were reported to have confirmed that the squadrons were being axed early. A spokeman for the MOD told the newspaper, "There will be no change to the air defence of the UK. The Tornado F3 will continue to fly from RAF Leuchars and maintain the Northern Quick Reaction Alert commitment until its planned out of service date in 2001."
Well that's all right then, we're protected until 2011 for Quick Reaction Alert for another 18 months at least here in Scotland.
It's quite unbelievable what this government is doing to HM Forces and doing it without any protest from the opposition parties. They should be shouting from the rooftops that we need our country well protected. Once upon a time we had the best military in the world. Now we have a military which is the laughing stock of the western world, not because of the quality of our troops who are still second to none, but the way their hands are tied with poor or no equipment to do their jobs. Small countries like Switzerland provide the best that can be bought but we now know we're third rate where our military is concerned. In fact we're third rate in many aspects but that's another story.
Sleep well in your beds from September and take comfort that we have 8 planes to protect us from unfriendly countries. There are plenty of them around since we became involved in other people's wars for the sake of one person's ego.
H/T to Lone Voice and RantingPenguin
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29 comments:
I am putting you back on my blog roll.
You are too good to miss.
The baseline force posture won't change - a handful of armed jets and support aircraft at various readiness states. The role of the F3 is a quick reaction alert interceptor (QRA(I)) and – properly managed and supported – it is good in this role despite being a relatively poor fighter and interceptor. This is what is being spun by the government.
However, the key issue in terms of operational effectiveness is the maintenance of this readiness state and the ability to deploy further aircraft if the threat level increases. I remember, not so long ago, when the Russians sent quite a few Blackjacks and Bears our way and we had loads of aircraft either up or being brought up to readiness. This is tied to the number of airframes and crews (also including E3-D Sentry radar aircraft and VC-10/Tristar tankers). This is the critical question: will there be any reduction in either airframes or crews resulting from the disbandment of these squadrons?
Aircraft serviceability and crew availability are critical to the maintenance of a QRA(I) capability that can be quickly reinforced to meet a more substantial threat. There may well be a handful of jets ready to go for air defence, but what happens when they are scrambled and more jets are needed (their time in the air and range is fuel limited) or if one or two are unserviceable? The answer is clear – the air defence of the UK will break down. I can’t remember what the precise military tasks assigned to the air defence system were, but I doubt they are capable of being fulfilled in full in all foreseen circumstances. Brown and Hutton will have achieved what Hitler and the Soviet Union failed to do over the last 70 years – neutralisation of the Royal Air Force’s UK air defence capability. Remember, this government has already destroyed the Fleet Air Arm, and Labour concocted a fake letter to the Times from RAF and RN officers to pretend the scrapping of the Sea Harrier had support from the Armed Forces.
There are also other matters – maintenance of a cadre of RAF fighter pilots, enough airframes to allow combat-ready training for new pilots coming through who will eventually convert to Typhoon, the trifling matters of squadron history and tradition. Both 43 and 111 have long and illustrious histories. I remember hearing, as a new RAF officer, that the then-Chief of Air Staff had threatened to resign if further squadrons were cut. That was over a decade ago.
The baseline force posture won't change - a handful of armed jets and support aircraft at various readiness states. The role of the F3 is a quick reaction alert interceptor (QRA(I)) and – properly managed and supported – it is good in this role despite being a relatively poor fighter and interceptor. This is what is being spun by the government.
However, the key issue in terms of operational effectiveness is the maintenance of this readiness state and the ability to deploy further aircraft if the threat level increases. I remember, not so long ago, when the Russians sent quite a few Blackjacks and Bears our way and we had loads of aircraft either up or being brought up to readiness. This is tied to the number of airframes and crews (also including E3-D Sentry radar aircraft and VC-10/Tristar tankers). This is the critical question: will there be any reduction in either airframes or crews resulting from the disbandment of these squadrons?
Aircraft serviceability and crew availability are critical to the maintenance of a QRA(I) capability that can be quickly reinforced to meet a more substantial threat. There may well be a handful of jets ready to go for air defence, but what happens when they are scrambled and more jets are needed (their time in the air and range is fuel limited) or if one or two are unserviceable? The answer is clear – the air defence of the UK will break down. I can’t remember what the precise military tasks assigned to the air defence system were, but I doubt they are capable of being fulfilled in full in all foreseen circumstances. Brown and Hutton will have achieved what Hitler and the Soviet Union failed to do over the last 70 years – neutralisation of the Royal Air Force’s UK air defence capability. Remember, this government has already destroyed the Fleet Air Arm, and Labour concocted a fake letter to the Times from RAF and RN officers to pretend the scrapping of the Sea Harrier had support from the Armed Forces.
There are also other matters – maintenance of a cadre of RAF fighter pilots, enough airframes to allow combat-ready training for new pilots coming through who will eventually convert to Typhoon, the trifling matters of squadron history and tradition. Both 43 and 111 have long and illustrious histories. I remember hearing, as a new RAF officer, that the then-Chief of Air Staff had threatened to resign if further squadrons were cut. That was over a decade ago.
Subrosa,
The RAF at it again, damn they're good, any excuse for a loaf!
Only joking, it's because they're all off to the Stan doing 4 month tours while the rest of us do 6 months plus!
Can't defend that can you Crabs?....
I agree, the sooner we are Independent and have an SDF for the security of our country and our needs and not some overinflated ego in Westmidden thinking they can use us like cannon fodder the better!
Pishin rain here in Armed Forces Land!
CD
SR, I thought you read my blog! Never mind, the best thing is to get the information out to as many people as possible. 'Unbelievable' is the word and it will continue until at least 2011 (according to this government).
As for today, Brown says he's looking forward to a return match. I hope you had good numbers in Glasgow today but there's nothing as yet on BBC Scotland; like I said - I love Brigadoon.
If you'd like a quick guide to 'tyke', come and visit later.
If you give me a minute I'll be able to name a potential attacker who would be more dangerous to us than New Labour. There's - er - wait, no - there's - um - I mean - um - er - can I get back to you on this?
subrosa
Britain
protect Britain
our country
what does an independent Scotland care about Britain.And why would the snp Government spend money on spears when we need ploughs.
And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Alex as a pacifist would agree of that I am certain.
They're spending so much on riot shields, batons, tasers, tear gas, and pepper spray they can't afford fighter jets anymore. The real danger to the government isn't from abroad anyway - it's from ordinary people in the streets.
Scunnert, I hope you're right.
I agree we need protection but who would attack us ? Okay i know a few states would love to attack us, ie, Iran, N Korea and er thats about it but neither have the ability to reach us. China has the worlds largest Airforce but have no meens of getting to us. Yet!!!
The biggest threat we face is from fanatics on the ground and those who have moved to the UK. I cant honestly see how our airforce will protect us from them. We need better border control and the will to fling out those who are here but make no contribution and who hold extremist views, thats the real threat.
Oooer i say Subrosa, Comment Mod on ? lol yeh keep Niko in check he is a pain.
WW, if that's a form of apology then I accept it.
Oh Jeff I was hoping you'd comment on this with your experience.
The F3 isn't bad for QRA, it flies on exercise over my place now and again doing low flying training. Only about once a month though. If it was more the meagre population would strongly object.
You've stated what I've been told in recent years and that is labour's neutralisation of the RAF air defence capability. Oh I do remember the destruction of the Fleet Air Arm and the little protests there were from opposition MPs, in fact I wrote to mine but it was too late.
Sadly the RAF squadrons are going, or nearly have gone the way of Scottish army regiments. It was on the cards for years but of course the men couldn't do a thing about it. Their only protest was not to sign on for further years and leave.
Thanks so much for your post Jess, I do appreciate it. RAF affairs are not my forte my any means.
Now now CD, let's not get inter-service matters cloud our judgements, even though they only have to do 2/3 of a tour in Afghanistan compared with the army. We'll be upsetting Jess and he's rather a pleasant person.
CD I doubt if, when we're independent if we could afford an air force but truthfully I haven't looked into that. It's kind of similar to affording our own signals regiment isn't it?
Wet there? Don't they supply brollies on the modern army? We're told you have the best of equipment. Surely the government wouldn't lie to the public about how well equipped our military are, surely not.
GV you KNOW I read your blog. You're just too quick at posting at times and I don't always leave a comment. I think I shall have to start putting xx if I don't have anything to say. Would that be ok?
Oh Vronsky here is Scotland we're open to any attack from anyone. We no longer have decent coastguard facilities and customs and excise have been reduced to a laughable level. I'll tell you if I can think of somehow we can protect ourselves from attack - not forgetting Scotland has the nuclear weapons stored on the Clyde.
Aye scunnert but there are quite a few people out there who would like to give it to Gordon Brown. In fact there are quite a few people in here who would too.
Yoohoo Spook, nice break? Lovely weather you've had.
You say China has the world's largest airforce but no way of getting to us yet. Spook, that's kind of an ambiguous statement. They can refuel in mid-air quite easily these days but of course Jeff could explain much more distinctly.
We need a combination of the three services to protect us, army navy and air force. That's why they exist. Unfortunately the off shoots of them such as the coastguards and customs have been whittled down token gestures.
I know of one person, if he was still alive, who would be loudly protesting at this reduction giving consideration to today's policies.
Subrosa i agree we need a strong airforce but todays enemy is more primative than super sonnic jets yet we cant stop them. The Chinese can refule in mid air but i think they would need about 200 plus air tankers just to make it to our airspace and even at that they would be sitting ducks.
The UK Gov should spend more on securing our borders and be tough on who we let in. We are spending billions on stuff that we will never use. I hope an independent Scotland would never act like this.
Ireland spends arounf £320 million a year on defence or 2% of GDP, we spend a lot bigger % than that yet Ireland has never been attacked, well appart from the British.
.............
Yeh good little Hols thanks Subrosa, visited Kelso, (My other halfs parents stay in kelso) Grangeover sands, and of course Millport. Wether was good but tress chilly..
Scunnert, the people may be first but there's a long line of others waiting in the wings. So many would like to see the downfall of Gordon Brown.
Spook how delightful to know that your generation think about visiting Millport. Was my Dad's favourite holiday destination and I've such happy memories of the place.
We still need a strong military defence force though Spook. You know, if anyone decided to attack the UK outwith the hours of 8-6 Monday to Friday, they'd conquer is no bother. We just don't have the strength here to cope as so many are away fighting.
I'd have to leave the technical side of planes to Jess, he's the expert and will answer you I hope.
True we need out borders secured but the tories reduced our customs officers by 50% back in the 70s. These were the people who policed Scotland's shoreline. Now anyone can arrive and of course they do complete with drugs et al.
Our expenditure on our forces isn't what really counts but of course it matters although it usually includes the hundreds of civil servants sitting in Whitehall doing little or nothing. Back in the 70s it was the same. Poor sods of navy commanders sitting at desks when they were just desperate to be out on the seas.
Kelso's not bad Spook, but Peebles is better :)
"Now now CD, let's not get inter-service matters cloud our judgements, even though they only have to do 2/3 of a tour in Afghanistan compared with the army. We'll be upsetting Jess and he's rather a pleasant person"
Miaow!
RAF work harder and quicker and need less time than the Army (ducks to avoid incoming...)
Oh dearie me Jess, I feel a little healthy competition in the offing. Perhaps it's best I keep my opinion to myself :)
V funny SR ;-)
AMW
any 4 terrorists and a Jumbo Jet would be enough.
Subrosa, okay i agree we do need a strong defence and yes much of the money goes to pen pushers in white hall. What we do need is more money for front line troops. I think we should invest on stuff that we will use but i do agree we need a strong airforce.
Hey Subrosa, visited kelso coz my other halfs parents stay in the town, no a bad wee place. Been to peebles a loads of times. The towns football club plays in the same legue as my club and in fact Whitestone Park in Peebles is the first and only venue in which i scored a hatrick of goals. Nice people and always make our club very welcome.
Ah Millport, love the place, Hey subrosa i lived in Millport for about 9 months when i was just starting secondery school. Went to Largs Academy for half a term before moving back to Edinburgh. It was sort of a wee family hoo ha between my elders but thankfuly they both so sence and got back together. We still have a propety on the Island an i often visit the island. Nothing beets Millport on a summers day with a Ritz cafe ice cream.
Faux Cu, do you know something, i never thought about that. Your right thats all it takes, 9/11..
Please read the excellent post Jess has written on his blog about this subject.
http://jess-the-dog.blogspot.com/
Spook, that includes you :-)
Your Mum kept her investment in Millport then Spook? Sensible woman :)
Did you read Jess's article? It will take years for the military to be equipped as well as say, the Americans. The army isn't what it used to be, lots more intelligence etc used these days. Oh before anyone jumps down my throat, I mean intelligence as in intelligence corps lol.
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