This thread is in danger of becoming excrutiatingly painful. Opinion should be differentiated from constructive criticism where the criticism is informed and used to develop and amend a process. This has been allowed to devolve into a polarised slnging match by some who have an axe to grind with the Merlin Force.
Gentlemen, live with it. The Merlin Force has deployed to the US to get ready for Op HERRICK. There are many on here who do fly as military aviators, but squadrons are awash with Junior Officers and SNCOs who can do the job better than their Bosses - they allege. That is banter for the crew-room.
The overall aim is to deliver capability to Op HERRICK. The guys on the ground would be appalled to see what prurient children aircrew become.
As for some of the comments, particularly on MRX and PXRs from Brandnew, they are unhelpful and factually inaccurate given from a very biased point of view.
Stop fuelling the tabloids rabid needs for headlines and get back to talking about aviation.
Honestly.