Thank you for your considered response and for so eloquently arguing
FOR my point.... I spent 5.5 yrs in NI with the SH force so I speak with some authority.
"if you were that good why were you not protecting the many LZ'S in NI?" A few points on this one.
SH working on the battle field, is by the very nature of how the Army operates, not using "LZ'S" that are in fixed locations. This is based on infantry tactics 101; do not become predictable, make yourself a small target, do not stay in the same place for too long etc. etc. By all means the RAF 'could' collect you from fixed "LZ'S" but after a couple of IEDs, IDF, sniper shots and several dozen soldiers being killed, the logic of this would probably be questioned.
The next point. The RAF Regt role is NOT to secure "LZ'S" but to secure airheads and APOE/D based on TESSERAL criteria, if this means nothing to you then you have just scuttled your argument as to why the Army should replace the RAF and just "get the job done."
RAF SH crews are more than able to counter a SMARMS threat without the RAF Regt becoming involved. This is out of necessity as doctrinally SH support the Army on the battlefield, working close to or beyond the Front Line. MANPADS, IDF and TBMs on the other hand are somewhat more bothersome and require specialised knowledge and expertise. With the best will in the world, an Army unit on a 6 month roulemont just do not have the time, expertise or will to focus on these subjects. The RAFR on the other hand are the SMEs on each of these subjects and know the subjects inside-out. Even the Int Corps are largely clueless on the air threat.
Regarding XMG, there was not enough space for the NIBAT1 Bn never mind extra bed spaces being taken by RAFR. Incidentally, as there were no aircraft based within the SF bases, there would be very little for RAFR personnel to do. They did however visit each of the SF bases every year or so to make sure they were still suitable to use. I flew several of them in my time there. Infantry patrol outside their own patrol base, RAFR patrol outside a main airfield. It's all contained in doctrine and decided by the numerous 4* in charge of the individual Services.
"Sitting on your **** at Aldergrove ( i didn't see you at BBK either ) thinking you were a cut above didn't get the job done." 3 Sqn used to patrol around Aldergrove on a regular basis.... Just to be clear, this was their role as agreed by HQNI and Air. Again, this was all written down and formalised in doctrine by the heads of each Service. Nothing to do with thinking they were a "cut above." Just different roles. Remember, everyone chose a trade, some chose the RAF, other's the Army; all life choices...
"Weather Bad .... were not coming .... AAC... we'll get you." The MOD website does not appear to have a copy of the Board of Inquiry regarding a AAC helicopter that crashed due to flying with weather out of limits and trying to "get the job done". Six people died in that crash, all 100% preventable. This example is so extreme that it is now used as a 'how not to do it' case study on the Tri-service Flight Authorisers Course.
This is not the first time the AAC have pushed the limits and suffered as a result. I would recommend that you go through some of the BOI archives and read them. Truly harrowing reading. As an aside, I am not an infanteer, therefore I will not preach about fire and manoeuvre or section attack drills as it would be ill informed and make me look slightly silly.
Heavy weapons shoot on a Wessex ( No CAS, a couple of bullet holes) coming into XMG .... we didn't see the RAF for a week . Whilst I am not sure of the exact reasons for the Wessex disappearing for a week, I am sure this is not a decision that the Sqn Cdr made on his own. HQNI and the RUC/PSNI would have all had a vote in what happened after the event.
As an aside, the incident you are talking about, I am about 99% sure it was an attempted shoot down with an SA-7 MANPAD... Slightly more worrying than a few bullet holes, as you describe. The threat was so great that all aircraft in NI were required to fly with countermeasures hence forth. This again demonstrates why the Army just don't get Air, the threat or how this relates to Land and the big picture. The Army are very good at the tactical picture, not so much at the Operational or Strategic level. Normally the bigger picture is what will win the war, not every individual battle in isolation. Sometimes you have to choose your battles; those that you can win.
"RAF thinking to much ...Army get the job done." I guess this depends on your definition of getting the job done. I can think of 3 examples of the Army getting the job done in my time in NI.
A Lynx crew deciding to solve a problem for the NIBAT1 Bn of removing a Tricolour from R13 after is was dismantled, whilst in the hover..... The aircraft managed to limp back the BBK after it's rotor strike on the flag pole.
A Lynx crew deciding that they didn't need to check the tasking for the day, which would have alerted them to the fact of the USL sitting by the HLS at Forkhill. Fast forward a few hours and a rather sporty approach resulting in a tail rotor strike on the blatantly obvious 8'x4'x9' USL. All because they wanted to get their tasking completed faster.
Another Lynx crash outside XMG after trying to be punchy to get the job done. 6 injured and another airframe written off.
A great example of why the Army just don't get aviation is the frequent Watchkeeper crashes. This is what happens when you employ poorly trained, overworked and unselected personnel to carry out aviation duties, accidents happen. If the Army can't invest time, money, training, doctrine and resources into a £1Bn aircraft programme then frankly protecting airfields will be WAY down the list of priorities....
Frustration at a tactical pause is understandable, but rarely is rushing in the answer in the long-term. To quote Field Marshal Rommel, "“Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted.”
Just to be clear - I will never admit to any Rockape that I think they are a great capability and worth keeping. I will deny this post if I am found out
