Here's the evidence that our lords and masters require to prove that our AT fleet is overstretched.
Not enough airframes with the right kit=same airframes being hammered in and out of theatres
Not enough airframes for training=crews deploying/flying into theatres without the right work-up sorties
Not enough airframes for currencies=crews barely legal for the jobs the are expected to do
Not enough aircrew=same guys/gals rotating through dets - lowest average is 5 months away per year in high -tempo operational theatres for some fleets=fatigue
Inexperienced leadership=poor decisions by the chain of command who don't understand the problems of the coal face
Poor government policies=involvement in conflicts that continue to stretch our underfunded and undermanned services
Useless procurement and servicing programmes=airframes being extended past their out of service dates, airframes carrying fatigue problems and over-priced, ineffective replacement platforms that are always late and arrive without the right equipment.
Night landing in a heavy aircraft at an unfamiliar airfield in a hostile environment? Not easy - incidents happen, it's called OPERATIONAL RISK!
Now, a muppet driving into the airframe at his peacetime UK base with only the pressure of making his tea-break on time=UNACCEPTABLE!
Give the guys a break - they're working hard on minimum turn-rounds, flying a dwindling, aged and over-strteched AT fleet.
Last edited by Antique Driver; 12th Jan 2007 at 20:57.