I well recall attending a briefing in 2000 when the MFTS dates for fixed wing were declared as 2005 for Valley, 2007 for Linton. It's just happened 12 years late. The Air Commodore was quite open that the system would save money in the first years but be more expensive in the long run.
Linton v Valley. Linton has instant access to free middle airspace, instant access to low flying in any direction, no probs with overwater/goon suits. Valley?
How can just 10 T6s feed 20plus Hawks, isn't that akin to the inverted promotion triangle of the engineer officers branch many years ago? If there is a course in the formation phase needing 3 ships, taking into account servicing and u/s aircraft, that's the whole fleet in use.
Just a thought. With the much reduced BFTS task, coupled with the Reds needing rehousing, put the lot into Linton. The BFTS flying could easily fit round the Reds practice slots, particularly with use of the RLGs. Rumours have it that the army transport unit slated to move into Linton has said no, road/bridge facilities around the base not good enough. Makes sense to me.