Required - Statement by CAS in Response to PMQ Reply
MM4 is absolutely correct.
I, amongst many here in this HQ, would heartily agree with the plea to stop the current unseemly arguments and disparaging remarks not only taking place on forums such as this, but witnessed daily within Air and Navy Cmds and, of course, at JHC.
Nevertheless it must be highlighted that although it has been nearly 3 months since the SDSR announcements, the senior RAF leadership have done very little to prevent or discourage the line (spin?) that the MOD-agreed and government-endorsed Rotary Wing Strategy no longer applied and, as repeated (somewhat childishly) again in this thread and others, that CAS would no longer allow the transfer of the Merlins to the RN.
Perhaps now with the unequivocal reply from the PM to Edward Leigh's PMQ, asked specifically to help end the unhelpful speculation that has percolated throughout JHQ (and was, reportedly, having a direct affect upon the morale of frontline personnel from both services), it is time for a similar unequivocal message by CAS (perhaps even alongside his opposite number 1SL) which, following on from the Prime Minister's words, lays out how and when the transition of these helicopters and the required training of the crews will take place. Although the detail is likely not yet in place (perhaps due to the ongoing 'sniping') a clear statement of intent with the high-level strategy and initial timeline might be a good start.
With such a statement, it may be that the some of the current broken strands of professional trust and respect that MM4 (and many other link-minded individuals in all services) wish to re-establish as soon as possible can start to be healed. Further public "gloating" (which I have witnessed from several colleagues - some pretty senior) on several occasions since Oct must now stop and positive steps taken to mend fractured relationships with the other 2 services (the Senior service in particular!)
In summary - CAS, now is the time to display real professional leadership and do the right thing. As MM4 so succinctly put it - "We do have a real enemy to fight you know!" - and it ain't your sister services!
H-W