Flying Officer Burridge

[endplay]

London Gazette 26 May 06

RAFVT

Appointment to commission as Flying Officer

Brian Kevin Burridge KCB CBE

Probably my ignorance but what's this about and for anyone he's offended in the past, get your licks in quick - I envisage rapid promotion.

[Roland Pulfrew]

The RAFVR's newest AEF pilot?

[fagin's goat]

No doubt his AEF students will soon be learning the language of management-speak gobledegook. How about an 'estimate' before the first 'effects of controls' trip?

[microlight AV8R]

What's the significance? Aren't all commissions published in the London Gazette? Or. was I speshul :ooh:

RAFVT doesn't quite ring true though. There is RAFVR and RAFVR(T).

Can anyone confirm whether RAFVT is right?

[6foottanker]

Microlite, I suggest you start your research with a look into recently retired RAF Air Ranks with knighthoods........ :ugh:

[microlight AV8R]

Microlite, I suggest you start your research with a look into recently retired RAF Air Ranks with knighthoods........ :ugh:

Ah! So it's some chap who used to have spaghetti emblazoned all over his peak. well I hope he gives the Cadets a good time.

Can anyone confirm the branch he's commissioned in?

Still unsure on that.

[Ops and Mops]

RAFVR (Training Branch)

[FJJP]

...And there is Fg Off Sir Michael Knight RAFVR(T)...

Top bloke.

[wg13_dummy]

...And there is Fg Off Sir Michael Knight RAFVR(T)...

Top bloke.


http://www.tv-series-on-dvd.com/cover/knight-rider-2.jpg

Was he fed up of being in the German hit parade?

[Tombstone]

We need to talk about your poster collection...;)

[SirToppamHat]

And Fg Off Sir Peter Squire. Noted his vehicle pass (nice car for a Fg Off) had a different rank on it for some reason, and I was a bit surprised that a Fg Off had been allocated the VIP Suite at StM.

STH

[Skeleton]

BB was a top bloke.
Was always right, which is probably why he made it a lot further than i did :)
But a good bloke none the less. Only Stn Cdr i saw in 26 years that told his hangers on to p*/ss off and then listened, AND THEN DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

[Avtur]

Agreed; BB was a top bloke. Last time I flew with him though, he tried to plough a field adjacent to the runway threshold at Culdrose with several MR2 Dunlops. Nice mud painting on the flaps!

[Lima Juliet]

BB was a top bloke. Is he dead or something?:}

Anyway, I hold a juxtaposition to this opinion on the man myself. I reckon he did more damage to the Blair Force than 6 squadrons of SU-27 Flankers could have achieved!!! And we're still waiting for his British B-52 effort MRA4 - now there's progress for you...

speak gobledegook I'm with ya brother...

'Funniest' speach I ever heard him make was that it was"alright to be scared" before going on Ops - now that's the sort of leadership we want Blackadder, not the namby-pamby, battle-dodging, I'd rather not charge stark naked at Jerry, three sore bottoms to one.

I hope he's a bit more inspiring to his 13-18 year olds!

LJ:)

[No idea]

Well lets just hope he passes his CRB check - wouldn't mind staffing that case for his dismissal from the RAFVR:)

[Danny_Boy]

And Fg Off Sir Peter Squire. Noted his vehicle pass (nice car for a Fg Off) had a different rank on it for some reason, and I was a bit surprised that a Fg Off had been allocated the VIP Suite at StM.

Are you sure STH. As a former CAS, Sir Peter stays on the active list, so why would he need to be appointed a VR(T) commission?

[uknasa]

Danny Boy

Former COS no longer stay on the Active List - they stopped doing so about 10 years ago.

[cazatou]

Should we not be thankful that people who have reached the most senior rank are willing to continue their commitment and be willing to give their time to the Air Cadets?

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE PAID EVEN A FLEETING VISIT TO YOUR LOCAL AIR CADETS?

[lightningmate]

Retention on the Active List was limited to 5 Star officers when they relinquished their 5 Star appointments ie they retired. Hence Admirals of the Fleet, Field Marshalls and Marshalls of the RAF all enjoyed 'retirement' on full pay. Very nice to!

The CDS held 5 Star rank until several years ago when that nice little earner status was regraded to 4 Star.

I believe the words at the time stated that 5 Star rank would only be re-instated during War-Time - whatever that may be defined as in todays big wide world.

lm

[SirToppamHat]

uknasa, thanks for defending me. It's only about a year ago and my memory isn't that bad;) .
Should we not be thankful that people who have reached the most senior rank are willing to continue their commitment and be willing to give their time to the Air Cadets?

Yes I reckon so, and I don't think the general response on here was negative. However, let's not forget the significant difference between those who give their time to run and help with the ATC sqns across the country, and those who fly for the AEFs. Having gone through the whole system from the age of 13, I have even more respect for those who are in the core of the ATC movement, yet they seem largely to attract criticism on these pages.
STH

[fagin's goat]

Guys, you miss the point. BB is parachuted into a prime AEF slot on the basis of his RECENT flying instructional experience....I think not!!!!

I'm not in the RAF and am delighted never to have served in the light blue - but BB's selection for AEF duties smells bad - as a tax payer I do not wish to provide pleasant post-retirement duties for former Air Rank Officers.

Helmet on, head down!

[airborne_artist]

Quite a few AEFs have a waiting list for pilots - but I'm sure that the one closest to Sir BB's residence just happened to have a vacancy that day.

[cazatou]

SirToppamHat,

I joined the ATC at age 14 and at 18 became an Aircrew Officer Cadet in the RAF; eventually becomimg an Aircraft Captain; Flight Instructor/ Local Examiner & MG/IRE on 32 Sqn.

My Father became Chairman of the Civilian Committee, my Mother ran the "Canteen" and my younger brother became a VR/T Officer.
Perhaps I can claim a little knowledge of the subject?

PS I was also ACLO at Abingdon and Manby. At Abingdon in the early 70's we averaged 450 Cadets per week at Annual Camp. As a Fg Off ACLO I had a Flt Lt Assistant on loan from HQ Air Cadets.

[SirToppamHat]

Cazatou

I think you need to re-read my last post; I thought I was agreeing with you. Your involvement at the sqn level does you and yours credit. You must be as aware as anyone of the significant difference between some of the VR(T) staff on the AEFs and those who do the graft on the sqns? The backbone of the ATC is its sqns - without them, the AEFs would have no-one to take flying.

STH

[buoy15]

CAZ - you mentioned 32 - says it all really - swanee, swanee, how I luv ya!
Ever do anything dangerous or exciting?
You all need to go back on this site to look at AEF pilots threads - I posted one about one of the most modest Fg Off (Air Rank) chappy who had jumped out of a lot of ac and survived to train cadets
I have flown with Brian Burridge and have had everyday dealings with him as my Stn Cdr
He naturally aspired to CAS through Integrity, Honesty and Trust - the staple diet of the Armed Forces - During his period in the desert, he had to wrestle with the Bliar government who didn't understand these principles and that's when he probably decided he'd had enough
He doesn't need the money - he's probably happy as a pig in sh*t flying cadets in props with no pressure and enjoying the 'way blue yonder' as it was when he was a Plt Off all those years ago - these youngsters are lucky to have a very happy, old, but not very bold, pilot teaching them
Please leave him alone and let him get on with the job
Thank you - B15

[jindabyne]

fagin's goat

I respect your right to post here, but please crawl back to whence you came and refrain from further contribution.

[Skunkerama]

Saucer of milk with that comment Sir?

[jindabyne]

Cream, preferably

[air pig]

If it was not for all those retired regulars, those on holding postings, or just giving up some of THEIR valuable time that could be spent doing other things with famillies and friends, the ATC/CCF woulld be a far less attractive organisation to many of todays youth.

My first flying experience was in the back of a "chippie" flying out of Macrihannish at camp. Never forgotten it to this day, and I only had a snatched chance to convey my thanks to the pilot. The experience is still fresh 30+ yrs later.

How many RAF/RN/AAC posters to this site had their first experience of flight through the ATC/CCF, I suspect very many.

I say thanks to whoever is in the metaphorical front seat, and carry on what you are doing in the future.

[rudekid]

AirPig

I hope that people holding aren't posted to ATC/CCF units- I don't believe this should happen.

I'm not disputing the fact that the system is only made better by the many excellent volunteers who give up precious time to contribute to the ATC/CCF. It's certainly something I would consider once I retire from full time service. I just don't hold with the idea of regular serving Officers being sent to hold at ATC units-this is how I read your post.

As a former Air Cadet, I can only hope the organisation is still around when I get to retirement.

Back to the main issue...

Jindabyne

Like or loathe BB, it does suggest something untoward with the selection process for AEF flying. I know several people who are/were on waiting lists for AEF slots with more relevant recent experience than BB. Maybe he was lucky and was the only available candidate to fill a slot at his chosen AEF. However, you and I know this to be a little unlikely at best. Sadly, it smacks of nepotism and the age old 'jobs for the boys' attitude that is prevalent about much of the upper echelons of the RAF. I surmise that this selection wasn't commenced after BB had retired and that he used his office to ensure the position he wanted. Even if he didn't directly use his position to influence his recruitment, he's bright enough to know he wouldn't be refused. Wg Cdr EFT or whoever would find it difficult to turn down a request from a serving CAS.

I'm willing to bet that if you'd blind recruited for the same position (recruited from relevant experience without names attached) he wouldn't have been the first candidate called forward...

Whatever way you look, it smacks of an abuse of power.

Now in the bigger scheme, I've got bigger things to concern me. I just find it worrying that the most senior officer in the RAF could concern himself with feather-bedding his retirement when his troops are so badly stretched, demoralised, under equipped and STILL warfighting.

I'm sure that he doesn't require any additional fiscal remuneration and should just enjoy his retirement, looking from afar on a once proud RAF he's helped to emasculate.

[air pig]

I actually know of a serving RAF aircrew officer, who whilst moving from JP to FJ course, spent time inbetween the courses as a pilot at an annual camp flying cadets for the summer, obviously no names.

[rudekid]

Air Pig

That sounds like a while ago, if you meant moving from JP to FJ! We've had Tucano since '92, think last JP5 course was '93 although doubtless someone will correct me...

Even BB must have only been a Sqn Ldr in those days...:E

Don't have any beef with that; good luck to them for a couple of weeks over a summer camp. I would have bigger issues if you had said guys were posted in for long periods between courses. Especially as I know (frontline) Sqn's are crying out for holding types at the moment.

Thanks for info, I wasn't after a witch hunt.:ok:

[Maple 01]

Sir Peter Squire, nice bloke, gave me a medal once.......

[greycoat]

Can anyone imagine Bungalow going for, and being accepted for, such a position ...

[air pig]

hi rudekid

I apologise that I did not make myself clear at the original posting.

Cheers

Air pig.

[fagin's goat]

jindabyne..... oh I do seem to have touched a raw nerve!! Are you Fg Off Sir gobledegook himself or perhaps just related?

[jindabyne]

Neither. My post of 20/6 was an unfortunate knee-jerk reaction to a person who appears to be so anti-RAF making totally unsubstantiated comment about someone he so obviously dislikes (your posts in early 2005 refer). As a taxpayer, I'll wager you're getting good value for money Mr Goat.

And with that, I'll apologise for the tone of my knee-jerk and leave this particular room, hoping not to witness further ill-informed comment based upon personal antipathy of the individual.

[mgdaviso]

AirPig
I hope that people holding aren't posted to ATC/CCF units- I don't believe this should happen.
I'm not disputing the fact that the system is only made better by the many excellent volunteers who give up precious time to contribute to the ATC/CCF. It's certainly something I would consider once I retire from full time service. I just don't hold with the idea of regular serving Officers being sent to hold at ATC units-this is how I read your post.

Rudekid, people holding are most definately not posted to ATC/CCF units (we meet in the evenings and at weekends - what good would that be to someone who works during the day? What I think Airpig is referring to is that some jocks, after gaining their wings, are holding and working with the AEF's / UAS's flying the RAF's future - different kettle of fish.

The ATC is a voluntary organisation, and we very much welcome past, present and future members of the RAF on a voluntary basis only!

I hope this clears things up.

[Gingerbread Man]

Fg Off Sir Peter Squire
Was it my imagination, or did I see an old GR3 (?) at Wittering with his name on the side? Think it was being used for towing practice.

[circle kay]

Gingerbread Man,

Was it behind a Unimog doing more than 40?

If so Jim Nic was driving it and I claim my £5:)

[Gainesy]

Peter Squire was on 1(F)Sqn in the early 70s.

[Gingerbread Man]

Sorry CK, it was just sitting in a hangar.

Cheers Gainsey, I guessed as much.

Ginger ;)

[Archimedes]

And he was rather busy with 1(F) just over 24 years ago, too...

[Gingerbread Man]

What could you be refering to...? :}

[Op_Twenty]

Michael Boyce, Navy Chap, Top boy, stood up to that fool Hoon. Lost his job for it but that's the kind of leadership we need, not BB 'Family values' speech whilst he's having an affair. Political, apologies spears inbound.