From the second link at Post 1:
"Nato has identified a need for improved air traffic control," Mr Ainsworth said in a written ministerial statement.
"I have therefore agreed a Nato request to commit two Boeing E3D Sentry aircraft and some 200 personnel from 8 Squadron, Royal Air Force, to fill this role as part of our standing contribution to the Nato Airborne Early "
So why did 1ACC consistently spurn the offers of attached area radar-qualified ATCOs to do the 'keeping aeroplanes apart' bit while they did the 'point fast jets at the bad guys' bit?
I don't dispute the fact that they did a great job, but there are specialists for each role for a reason. Deploying 8 Sqn (or any airborne solution) will cost way more than leaving 1ACC in place as an enduring capability. If the inclusion of some air traffickers into the team to do the routine stuff eases the ABMs back towards Harmony in their deployment turn-round time then everyone wins. Otherwise it just looks like an ABM land-grab.
Last edited by orgASMic; 11th Dec 2009 at 14:11.