Chug, it seems clear to me that this latest cut in personnel is a cut too far. As far as I can see the airships are simply managing a steady decline. Here is a possible explanation for the lack of a spare tyre at Cyprus. Lack of engineering assets and personnel has been something of a theme of late....Quote from e goat.
"There use to be a whole cart load more than that mate, Akrotiri once had a full TASF (Transport Aircraft Serviceing Flight). 40 odd of us all spammed up on Hercs and VC10s with talk of extending it to Timmys as well. Spare props, donks, wheels, specialist tools up the ying-yang, a full transtock of commonly used spares including ovens (surpise surprise), the full monty.
When was this, nineteen sixty dot? Nope, 1993 was when TASF was disbanded and we became VAHS (Visiting Aircraft Handling Section) with a remit to wave our arms at taxying aircraft but virtually ****-all else. This was AFTER the first Gulf War when aircraft transitting through to the middle east had increased in number many fold.
The reason for this downsizing was quite simple...dosh . HQBFC refused to pay to support Strike Command aircraft. Strike wouldn't pay to maintain TASF so bye bye it went.
Along with a whole ****-load of posts in all ranks and trades."