MM,
thanks very much for that, you make some very good points and I do agree with you in many ways. However, on a strict value-for-money argument it is difficult to justify. FWIW, I would go the same way as you, and offer more opportunities for naval aviators to take up RAF (and air component) posts - however, the consequence is that they then become even less different to RAF officers....
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to see the FAA disbanded, but I just haven't heard an argument that is likely to sound convincing in the RP world yet. My remarks were a little ill-judged, but I do get a little irritable every time the RAF is accused of opposing the carriers.
I think the debate is there to be had though, just to make sure we're not missing a trick. For example, I would hate to see service politics get in the way of building a proper carrier strike capability - with exchanges on F-18, EA-6B, latterly F-14 etc, the RAF has a lot of experience to offer the RN in operating capable jets off big carriers.
Oh, and JunglyAEO, I think you need to do some more research into Jt GBAD and the RAF Regt. I don't know of another organisation that provides highly cost-effective, specialist force protection to the air component, do you? They're not a manoeuvre unit or something that can be integrated into the Army's readiness cycle. Unlike, for example, the RM....