RAF to deploy to civvy airports
proone
I am entitled to my view as much as you I would say.
Have you checked the status of the numerous airfields that you mentioned? The chances of them all being available as airfields is debateable , not only that but is the runway length sufficient for large ac anyway. Add to that fuel supplies etc and the problems get worse.
Why did the system even look at the dispersal to civilian airfields in the first place?
I am entitled to my view as much as you I would say.
Have you checked the status of the numerous airfields that you mentioned? The chances of them all being available as airfields is debateable , not only that but is the runway length sufficient for large ac anyway. Add to that fuel supplies etc and the problems get worse.
Why did the system even look at the dispersal to civilian airfields in the first place?
Who are you to decide what is and isn't the point? We have loads of runways available in this country. Apart from the existing RAF frontline airfields, there are all of the 22 Group airfields and relief landing grounds, the RN and AAC airfields, and then, before you even get anywhere near civilian airfields, are the existing MoD airfields not in current active aviation use such as Dishforth, Topcliffe, Cottesmore, Chivenor, Honington, Kinloss, Colerne, Hullavington, Little Rissington, Brawdy, Linton On Ouse, Scampton, Lyneham, etc etc etc. All of these could be dispersal runways used in a genuine emergency before you even start to consider the numerous civilian airfields up and down the land. This would complicate massively any possible (and extremely unlikely) Russian cruise missile/ballistic missile barrage against existing RAF and USAF airfields in this country.
Turnhouse used to have barriers when Leuchars was active but I don't think the equipment is still there.
Upper Heyford and Thurleigh could be cleared.
There are aslo several grass airfields like Halton and Henlow but probably too short for most deployments.
I am guessing (and hoping) that the staff Officers have examined the options of MOD stock and consider dispersal to civilian airfields as a better option- particularly for large ac.
'pr00ne' : That is an impressive looking list, however 'nine Typhoon squadrons'?
Actually there are five 'front line' , plus OCU, test & eval, aggressor trg provision and a joint sqn helping another nation work up on type.
The Hawk T2 is a very capable machine, but its role in the RAF is clearly stated as a training one only.
I understand the overall point you were making, but over-egging the pudding really doesn't help it!
Actually there are five 'front line' , plus OCU, test & eval, aggressor trg provision and a joint sqn helping another nation work up on type.
The Hawk T2 is a very capable machine, but its role in the RAF is clearly stated as a training one only.
I understand the overall point you were making, but over-egging the pudding really doesn't help it!
Thread Starter
Every Defence review since the end of the Cold War has sought to contract the existing defence posture. The SDSR of 2010 was driven by the austerity measures I don't think that actual defence and security considerations have ever prevailed in any review since, it didn't in many conducted through the cold war. Each one arrives at the same conclusion, less means more, rather than the obvious less means less.
FB
FB
'pr00ne' : That is an impressive looking list, however 'nine Typhoon squadrons'?
Actually there are five 'front line' , plus OCU, test & eval, aggressor trg provision and a joint sqn helping another nation work up on type.
The Hawk T2 is a very capable machine, but its role in the RAF is clearly stated as a training one only.
I understand the overall point you were making, but over-egging the pudding really doesn't help it!
Actually there are five 'front line' , plus OCU, test & eval, aggressor trg provision and a joint sqn helping another nation work up on type.
The Hawk T2 is a very capable machine, but its role in the RAF is clearly stated as a training one only.
I understand the overall point you were making, but over-egging the pudding really doesn't help it!
You try telling the OC and crews of those squadrons you mention that they are not front line operational!
I agree totally that the Hawk T2 Squadrons are certainly training, but I never claimed any different. In point of fact I should really add 1 Hawk T1 Squadron, with an Aerobatic Display, Trials Support and Aviation Medicine role.
Hmmmm...
I'm not sure we can class 12 Sqn as front line - are we really going to deploy what is basically a Qatari training Sqn anywhere other than Qatar for this world cup?
And 9 Sqn are "red air" and slated to disband aren't they - they don't fit in the Ops plot so arguably aren't first line either!
I'm not sure we can class 12 Sqn as front line - are we really going to deploy what is basically a Qatari training Sqn anywhere other than Qatar for this world cup?
And 9 Sqn are "red air" and slated to disband aren't they - they don't fit in the Ops plot so arguably aren't first line either!
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News or not, the challenge will be providing (pre-positioned!) all those techy bits and pieces that make the whole thing work. Do we have enough Typhoon cockpit ladders to distribute around UK, for example?
I would hope the trials/exercises will focus on such little essentials, otherwise “for want of a nail etc etc”.
I would hope the trials/exercises will focus on such little essentials, otherwise “for want of a nail etc etc”.
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Not quite the same, but a few years ago, RNAS Culdrose was looked at as a base in the SW for deploying Typhoons to in times of need.
However nothing ever happened - I heard rumours as to why, but never heard a definitive reason as to why it didn't happen.
St Mawgan (Newquay to kids), has a fantastic HAS site that is now only separated from the active airfield by a fence - surely this could be dusted off and made operational again?
However nothing ever happened - I heard rumours as to why, but never heard a definitive reason as to why it didn't happen.
St Mawgan (Newquay to kids), has a fantastic HAS site that is now only separated from the active airfield by a fence - surely this could be dusted off and made operational again?
MPN,
Improvisation is a concept known to the Infantry....and helicopter units.
No Typhoon Ladders....get some old fashioned Irish Scaffolding, a fork lift, a portalift from you local builders....this ain't rocket science.
Improvisation is a concept known to the Infantry....and helicopter units.
No Typhoon Ladders....get some old fashioned Irish Scaffolding, a fork lift, a portalift from you local builders....this ain't rocket science.
'Proone' - 'downsizer;' has it right.
12 Sqn is not frontline4, it is involved in training the Qatari crews Bit of a comedown for Shiny Twelve, but maybe later it will return.
9 Sqn acts as an aggressor unit - yes it could return to an operational role fairly quickly if required, but that is not where it concentrates its work.
I do recall there being pictures of the Arrows with Sidewinders and gun pods on their machines long ago, but let's not push the boundaries of absurd. Again, things COULD be done if necessary, but that would take time, money and equipment pre- prepared.
12 Sqn is not frontline4, it is involved in training the Qatari crews Bit of a comedown for Shiny Twelve, but maybe later it will return.
9 Sqn acts as an aggressor unit - yes it could return to an operational role fairly quickly if required, but that is not where it concentrates its work.
I do recall there being pictures of the Arrows with Sidewinders and gun pods on their machines long ago, but let's not push the boundaries of absurd. Again, things COULD be done if necessary, but that would take time, money and equipment pre- prepared.
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Hmmmm...
I'm not sure we can class 12 Sqn as front line - are we really going to deploy what is basically a Qatari training Sqn anywhere other than Qatar for this world cup?
And 9 Sqn are "red air" and slated to disband aren't they - they don't fit in the Ops plot so arguably aren't first line either!
I'm not sure we can class 12 Sqn as front line - are we really going to deploy what is basically a Qatari training Sqn anywhere other than Qatar for this world cup?
And 9 Sqn are "red air" and slated to disband aren't they - they don't fit in the Ops plot so arguably aren't first line either!
Doesn't even have to be small RAAF has full time military airbases, civilian airbases with dispersal and hangers for visiting military aircraft and bare bone bases that have a very small terminal for civilian use and civilian part keeps the airbase maintained for military use
Hey ho, I'm not going to die in a ditch over this but you are swallowing the propaganda if you think 12 and 9 are true front line Sqns.
MPN,
The Typhoon does have a built-in ladder, similar to the one the F4 had, or at least the 29Sqn T1 that was on static display at a RIAT years ago did!
I'm sure there must be an airframe professional on the system that can confirm or refute this.
The Typhoon does have a built-in ladder, similar to the one the F4 had, or at least the 29Sqn T1 that was on static display at a RIAT years ago did!
I'm sure there must be an airframe professional on the system that can confirm or refute this.
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It's the little bits that can screw the plot, including suitable accommodation!
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The best the RAF will likely see is a couple of hastily dragged in Portacabins at the far end of the airport, a flaky piece of concrete to park the a/c on and horror bags driven in from the closest MOB by a contracted in taxi driver.