Originally Posted by
Fortissimo
RAF Wattisham, 1989 or thereabouts, the Phantom force still going strong and the Wall still standing. One of the early colour photocopiers (a Canon if memory serves) was provided to the Sqn, having been rented by the Stn. It was excellent by the standards of the day, and it meant the lead nav could draw a few lines on a low flying chart and provide 7 copies for the rest of the 4-ship. Eventually there was a phone call from Supply Sqn, from an SAC who had been given the job of telling us to stop it, as our use of colour prints had exceeded all expectations. The problem was that each copy cost 35p, and we were way over the top of the budget, and there was a question about what we were doing that required so many.
It was explained that we were copying maps to use in the air. "But sir, we can provide maps instead..." was the reply. It was pointed out to him that the LFCs in question were £7 a pop and that one map would pay for 20 photocopies (even I could do the maths). I fired him back at his SNCO with an invitation to provide the rationale for spending an extra £40 every time we put a 4-ship into low level, never mind the time wasted in drawing on individual charts. Nothing further heard.
And before the banter starts, yes, we were Air Defence so looking at the maps was not really required.
I had a similar problem in Kuwait in the late 90's.
The navs would create one map of the planned mission which would be turned into 8 booklets.... The Army WO! supplier got very fed up of me putting in demands for A4 paper, and when I tried to explain to him that it was mission critical he had a right pop that I (at the time a mere SAC) couldn't dictate to him what was or wasn't mission critical.
I made my way back to the Sqn and explained the dilemma to the OpsO and was overheard by the Sqn boss who suggested I should go back and try again... however this time he followed and stood just outside the WO1s office listening in... Midway through the bollocking from the WO for my audacity at trying to make him change his mind the Wg Cdr walks in and said... "What the SAC is trying to say Mr xxx.. is that you are a ****wit!" followed by him adding that the next time he sends me for paper to meet the mission requirements that if I returned empty handed he would want an explanation in person.
Never had a problem after that.....