Al R
Whilst I would agree that disclosing an IR to the media is not the proper thing to do, it has proved to us all here that there WAS yet another incident concerning an MR2, AAR and a fuel leak.
Had we not had the IR leaked, then someone would have eventually told a friend of a friend etc. and it would be on here as another 'hey, I heard there was another Nimrod incident blah......can anyone confirm it?'
So yes, leaking classified info isn't ideal and I don't agree with it, but in this case I think that it was understandable and probably inevitable that it was going to get out, and the IR is proof of events.
I fail to see why no one, CAS especially, has NOT had the ba££s to do the correct thing and resign and go public about the matter. I would think that after his sad display on the Panorama programme, CAS has backed himself into a corner with comments such as 'they are as safe as they need to be' and there will clearly be some difficult questions ahead for him.
I also think that it is now bordering on criminal neglegence and incompetance to allow further Nimrod operations. The lives of our servicemen and women are too valuable to allow this to continue. CAS and AOC 2Gp should be ashamed at what has happened and what is still happening with the Nimrod fleet, and if they cannot, then they are clearly not fit to hold office - their judgement has been found to be seriously lacking.
So, go now CAS and AOC 2Gp and maybe even ISK Stn Cdr. You have all had the ability to call a halt to this, and you have failed. Shame on you.
Fantastic efforts by the crew, and I'm just delighted that I won't be having to attend even more funerals of dear friends (for the time being at least) Well done guys and girls.
TSM