Originally Posted by TBSG
If you are Joe Grunt then that is exactly where you want your air power - overhead and giving the bad guys the good news. Which is why AH and GR7 are doing so well for the blokes in the 'Stan. The Army has a limited view at the lower levels for a very good reason - they are the ones with the bayonets, they are the ones being SVBIED'd all the time. They want help getting out of the sh1t.
One has to ask from the green viewpoint - what exactly will 232 Typhoon bring? THIS IS A RHETORICAL QUESTION AND NOT DESIGNED TO DISAPPEAR DOWN A RABBIT HOLE OFTEN VISITED IN THIS FORUM!
Anyway, anyone can list the roles of Air Power from the doctrinal publications. No-one has actually yet agreed (or stated) what the pointy ones are doing - less 8 GR7 in AFG, F3 in FI and some GR4a in Qatar. How about the other 200?
Goldcup - any time we wanted FJ presence over Al Amarah, the USAF came along. Don't know why them and not RAF. Maybe that was only when I was there.
Couldn't agree more! Our problems stem from our complete inability to deploy a usefully sized fast jet component to either Iraq or Afghanistan, and our delivery of enough AT and SH to carry out effective tasking:
GR7/9- Doing a great job with very limited assets and people, knackered pilots, poor retention (lots leaving)
F3- Like it or not it's a source of bemusement for the Army. I'm sure it's very capable, but right now it's redundant! F3 mates don't take this as a dig at you.
GR4- Why so few in the 'Deid?
Jaguar- Days to do... sadly.
Eurofighter- Brilliant, but only available at airshows.
Can we deploy more assets? Yes, but only if someone is willing to cough up a lot of extra money.
So what does the army see? A load of battered, uncomfortable AT various, usually late, getting them home to their loved ones. An air interface (movers) who predominantly don't care a toss for the throughput of passengers. A shortfall in SH hours to move vital kit around theatre in a bunch of battered uncomfortable SH various, usually late...etc. Not enough CAS on occasion when required (no slight intended on the GR mates)
It's all about effect. We don't deliver enough. Simple.
Until our fast-jet centric Lords and Masters (and some sycophantic acoloytes) learn that we need to spend some money on the 2 elements of our service which have been constantly delivering effect for 20 years, namely SH and AT, we'll never change. Two hundred Typhoons are all very well for fighting an enemy in a war we MAY fight in 20 years time (assuming Typhoo has a capability by then) but right now, WE are fighting two real wars. And, sadly, by and large, we aren't delivering the level of support we should be.
Politics? Money? Poor leadership? Who's standing up to be counted at the top levels?
As someone in a dark hole once said "Lots. And none at all."