Finningley Boy,
Who are these ‘bean counters’ of whom you speak? Do you imagine there is a brigade of faceless civil servants giving direction to the RAF which then must be enacted? If so, you are somewhat misguided. Under the Levine reforms, the Front Line Commands have extensive control over how they spend their money. I cannot think of any significant decision made in the last few years that has not been endorsed by either CAS, DCom Cap, DCom Ops or COS Cap. None of these individuals I would characterise as a ‘bean counter’, quite the reverse! However, they are having to deal with significant financial constraints in the best way possible while maximising the RAF’s capability, so difficult decisions have to be taken. But rest assured, they are being taken by people who absolutely understand the operational impact of their actions!