The Fuhrer is incandecent about Waddo Aisrhow!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: @exRAF_Al
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sandy,
I don't disagree with the tone of what you say but is that now an over used line trotted out by prescriptive heads of service in order to let the state know it's too stretched and some more resources are needed please? I sense and agree completely with the Staish's unease and displeasure, after all, it is he who has to fend off his Execs justifiably bringing him tales of poor hangar floor morale, matrimonial disharmony and fighting in the NAAFI/Spar- are there still KPIs for that sort of thing??!!
But, this is the longer term reality. We are seeing the start of increased apathy from the public in respect of how it sees the military and how it supports it. Charities are on their heels a bit, the public is listless, bored and looking for something new to fuel its need to feel worthy. I have absolutely no doubt that the stretch felt by the military is as taut and as demanding as it ever has been. I'm saying though, that short sighted and dogmatic polarised reactions like this will only make matters worse.
Hiding away and reducing the military profile is only going to, 'x' years down the line, result in an ever increasing, terminal decline in military fortunes. So, instead of feeding that, why not recruit genuinely dynamic people, folk drawn from the echelon of creativity and commercial acumen (with respect, not the job club that seems to power RIAT) who might seek a way of fusing HM Forces at Home Day (another PR disaster waiting to happen - will there be anything more soil destroying than a military parade through a town somewhere, in the year 2021, that draws hardly any interest?) with a 'national recruitment' day, a 'history comes alive' day etc etc?
It could even be a Public Services Day which has a roulement theme - I am just as appreciative of the nurses and firefighters as much as I am of my former colleagues but they get nothing (let's not invite the teachers though). Yes, I appreciate that the endeavour and statistically the sacrifice is different but by chopping an airshow, you're simply addressing the symptom, and not the underlying malaise. There is so much to be done that can be done - it is however, all entrusted to the wrong people.
Someone needs to get their heads out of the sand and look ahead - properly ahead, not just until after Waddo's runway is open, but 15-20 years. It isn't going to be a legislator because they're pretty much useless across the board, it can't be a Head of Service because the way it's going, they'll be soon busy rattling buckets themselves at their main gate - so who? One thing's for sure, if nothing gets done, the PPRuNe of 2024 will be lamenting why it was allowed to happen.
When we had sufficient bases and, more importantly, manpower, big on-station airshows were fine. Those days are gone my friend and leaning must take place before something happens that will cause everyone to ask "why were we stretching ourselves so much for a publicity event?"
But, this is the longer term reality. We are seeing the start of increased apathy from the public in respect of how it sees the military and how it supports it. Charities are on their heels a bit, the public is listless, bored and looking for something new to fuel its need to feel worthy. I have absolutely no doubt that the stretch felt by the military is as taut and as demanding as it ever has been. I'm saying though, that short sighted and dogmatic polarised reactions like this will only make matters worse.
Hiding away and reducing the military profile is only going to, 'x' years down the line, result in an ever increasing, terminal decline in military fortunes. So, instead of feeding that, why not recruit genuinely dynamic people, folk drawn from the echelon of creativity and commercial acumen (with respect, not the job club that seems to power RIAT) who might seek a way of fusing HM Forces at Home Day (another PR disaster waiting to happen - will there be anything more soil destroying than a military parade through a town somewhere, in the year 2021, that draws hardly any interest?) with a 'national recruitment' day, a 'history comes alive' day etc etc?
It could even be a Public Services Day which has a roulement theme - I am just as appreciative of the nurses and firefighters as much as I am of my former colleagues but they get nothing (let's not invite the teachers though). Yes, I appreciate that the endeavour and statistically the sacrifice is different but by chopping an airshow, you're simply addressing the symptom, and not the underlying malaise. There is so much to be done that can be done - it is however, all entrusted to the wrong people.
Someone needs to get their heads out of the sand and look ahead - properly ahead, not just until after Waddo's runway is open, but 15-20 years. It isn't going to be a legislator because they're pretty much useless across the board, it can't be a Head of Service because the way it's going, they'll be soon busy rattling buckets themselves at their main gate - so who? One thing's for sure, if nothing gets done, the PPRuNe of 2024 will be lamenting why it was allowed to happen.
HI Al - agree with your sentiments, just feel (with my cynical mode on) that we are beyond saving these types of events given current and especially future planned resources. I've been to RIAT 4 times as 'static' (I did move a bit though 
) and I always thought it was the ideal event to foster young peoples interest in all activities military aviation related. Lost count of the number of kids we showed around the jet who seemed wide-eyed with interest (probably about how old and smelly it was..). I appreciate it also has its very large spotter element but they too are paying the entry fee so helping swell the RAFBF coffers.
By the way, your typo made me larf "will there be anything more soil destroying than a military parade through a town somewhere"
Had visions of a group of marching erks veering onto council flower beds and causing mayhem
) and I always thought it was the ideal event to foster young peoples interest in all activities military aviation related. Lost count of the number of kids we showed around the jet who seemed wide-eyed with interest (probably about how old and smelly it was..). I appreciate it also has its very large spotter element but they too are paying the entry fee so helping swell the RAFBF coffers. By the way, your typo made me larf "will there be anything more soil destroying than a military parade through a town somewhere"
Had visions of a group of marching erks veering onto council flower beds and causing mayhem
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Somewhere flat
Age: 68
Posts: 5,558
Likes: 0
Received 45 Likes
on
30 Posts
Al,
The section that I used to work for at Waddington used to be run by a Wing Commander who had five squadron leaders and 16 junior officers working for him...when the airshow arrived from Finningley the section was given 5 major airshow secondary duties to manage. Many years later and the section has been part civilianised. It is now run by a Squadron Leader with two junior officers and guess how many airshow secondary duties it still has! How many are run by the civilians? Yep.
When I retired I held nine major service secondary duties - the loss of the officers on the section made no difference to the tasks that had to be carried out. I was in charge of one of the major enclosures and in one year there was an attempt to make me in charge of all crowd barriers at the same time. Add to this my increased primary duties and there was little time left for other living! All I can say is that I am happy to have retired when I did.
I am sure that there are many blue suiters at Waddington who have breathed a huge sigh of relief that the airshow (and its two week leave ban) has gone, leaving just the armed forces day as a thank you and another compulsory working weekend for many. Lack of manpower is not an empty excuse - it is a primary reason why the airshow has become increasingly difficult to organise as the "no-cost" part of the labour force has significantly reduced.
The section that I used to work for at Waddington used to be run by a Wing Commander who had five squadron leaders and 16 junior officers working for him...when the airshow arrived from Finningley the section was given 5 major airshow secondary duties to manage. Many years later and the section has been part civilianised. It is now run by a Squadron Leader with two junior officers and guess how many airshow secondary duties it still has! How many are run by the civilians? Yep.
When I retired I held nine major service secondary duties - the loss of the officers on the section made no difference to the tasks that had to be carried out. I was in charge of one of the major enclosures and in one year there was an attempt to make me in charge of all crowd barriers at the same time. Add to this my increased primary duties and there was little time left for other living! All I can say is that I am happy to have retired when I did.
I am sure that there are many blue suiters at Waddington who have breathed a huge sigh of relief that the airshow (and its two week leave ban) has gone, leaving just the armed forces day as a thank you and another compulsory working weekend for many. Lack of manpower is not an empty excuse - it is a primary reason why the airshow has become increasingly difficult to organise as the "no-cost" part of the labour force has significantly reduced.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: @exRAF_Al
Posts: 3,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wensley,
No, I didn't mean to suggest it was an empty excuse. - I have no doubt the demand on time off is insane, I spoke with a girl in the Waddo mess last week (I left my wallet there) and she was clearly rushed off her feet but was politeness and professionalism personified.
I just don't think that chopping it all is a good idea, that's all. Rather than going for a black/white, on/off solution, there needs to be some better, more creative thinking. The truth is, the help and support of the RAF has probably always been taken for granted - maybe the subjects of the appreciation shouldn't have always been expected to provide the means for the public to express that appreciation.
The nation deserves and should be able to see where its money goes and the service needs and (rightfully) expects the nation to appreciate and show its gratitude - that's as much a part of the Mil Cov as any hollow legislator soundbite. Maybe, 50 years ago the opportunity, capability and intent were there, but we have slowly evolved and diluted a principle to the point someone has to draw a line under things and start again, and stop referencing a now flawed concept based on what was once a viable principle.
I don't think it should be the role of the RAF automatically, to determine, fund, and execute the arrangement. But there should still be such an arrangement. Chopping it is the worse thing of all to do - dilution through myopic apathy. I feel sorry for those who have to make these decisions because they shouldn't be expected to have the only dog in this fight.
No, I didn't mean to suggest it was an empty excuse. - I have no doubt the demand on time off is insane, I spoke with a girl in the Waddo mess last week (I left my wallet there) and she was clearly rushed off her feet but was politeness and professionalism personified.
I just don't think that chopping it all is a good idea, that's all. Rather than going for a black/white, on/off solution, there needs to be some better, more creative thinking. The truth is, the help and support of the RAF has probably always been taken for granted - maybe the subjects of the appreciation shouldn't have always been expected to provide the means for the public to express that appreciation.
The nation deserves and should be able to see where its money goes and the service needs and (rightfully) expects the nation to appreciate and show its gratitude - that's as much a part of the Mil Cov as any hollow legislator soundbite. Maybe, 50 years ago the opportunity, capability and intent were there, but we have slowly evolved and diluted a principle to the point someone has to draw a line under things and start again, and stop referencing a now flawed concept based on what was once a viable principle.
I don't think it should be the role of the RAF automatically, to determine, fund, and execute the arrangement. But there should still be such an arrangement. Chopping it is the worse thing of all to do - dilution through myopic apathy. I feel sorry for those who have to make these decisions because they shouldn't be expected to have the only dog in this fight.
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
before something happens that will cause everyone to ask "why were we stretching ourselves so much for a publicity event?"
The (out of date by nearly two years) GAI2022 mandates by the Air Force Board who is to hold airshows and why. The party line is to 'Educate the general public in the Defence Mission of the UK', with recruitment and service charity fundraising both worthy by-products.
In short: Dear taxpayer, please come along and I will show you what the Defence Budget (your tax) pays for. The air show organisers pay a lot of money for RAF participation and such events are financially self sustaining.
Gentleman Aviator
No justification for RAFAT ........
I refer the House to my earlier post - of 21st January 2007.
I refer the House to my earlier post - of 21st January 2007.
... my (usually well-informed) spies tell me the plan is to try and run the Reds on to 2018 and then do a farewell season for the RAF's centenary .......
........ always assuming the RAF lasts that long.......
........ always assuming the RAF lasts that long.......
In 1984 I took 3 recently graduated young officers on the annual visit to the RNoAF Academy. A fantastic week which included flying in their little SAAB piston engine flying grading aeroplane. There were cadets from the Norwegian Army and Naval academies, with girlfriends. When the girlfriends were offered flights we suggested that this was pretty open-minded but would not happen in UK. We were told they were taxpayers and as such were entitled to see where their taxes were spent. Brilliant. At the Ball I presented the Commandant with a bottle of Port, so, I said , that he would know what his students had been doing to my head all week!
