Some of the J folk might do nothing in between but at least they're guaranteed to get away on det several times a year and rack up the hours & experience there (even it is on endless Quattro Bastionnes). All LXX could hope for was one route sector every three months.
A little harsh stoppers - until September last year LXX were doing a desert tasking line and supporting the Falklands. The reason they left the sandy place was to allow the C130K to go elsewhere releasing a C130J for important training in the UK(which still hasn't been completed 7 months on
)
MPA has only just been released after LXX had provided crews constantly for the last 5 years+.
Yes I agree the Sqn had to go because of lack of trg and I also agree that the C130K should also go - however the RAF are tied into servicing contracts that are absolute s
e and unfortunately has to provide support to UK plc that the C130J still cannot do - and no willy waving from the C130K fraternity, its just the truth
What it does mean is that you hardworking C130J boys will have to pick up the Guard Cmdrs, CoS, FE Cdr, DetCo, Orderly Officer and other additional duties that the 'slackers' on the C130K wing have been doing while not busy 'flying'
Oh and the addittional 4/6/9 month OOA gnd tours that many LXX personnel have completed in the past 24 months.
Rant off - LXX will go until 2013 when it stands-up as the first A400M Sqn, by then the C130J fleet will be on it's knees due to the p
s-poor management imposed upon it.