I recently had the opportunity to join ACM Sir Stephen Dalton KCB ADC BSc FRAeS FCMI RAF for cocktails in the Officers mess at RAF Shawbury and personally found him to be a sound bloke with tons of support and empathy for the entire serving personnel irrespective of branch.
I further believe that he is as miffed as the rest of us about the defence cuts but his position leaves him with very little room to express his heart felt views freely.
I can assure you that he has spoken at length to those who have seen active service recently, both in the air and on the ground and as an ex Jag mate and Tornado GR1A jocky he has also seen the front line, of a different war, both from the air and from the ground.
Mrs CAS was delightful as well.
Would buy the man a pint any time (and a fruit based cocktail for Mrs CAS)
Cheers