I did a couple of test sorties in a Tornado F2 "controlled" by the Nimrod
AEW. I picked up the target on a "Y" list Foxhunter before the Nimrod saw
it!
The final competition between the Nimrod and the E-3A was decided after both aircraft were flown on similar trial profiles (although on different days). The Tornado F2s were needed as targets for both sorties. One of the Nimrod Joint Trials Unit fighter controllers rang Coningsby to arrange for the aircraft to be flown. He was put onto Sqn Ldr Ops:
"No, you can't have them - it will take our entire flying program for two days".
The aircraft were still not allocated to the trial despite the assurance of the FC that it was very important and that he had been instructed to get the aircraft "from high level". The FC then rang our trials people in MOD PE to report that Coningsby were refusing to release the F2s for the trials.
Twenty minutes later, the Flt Lt FC received a phone call - it was from the Station Commander at Coningsby who was ringing personally to apologise and ask where and when the F2s were wanted.
In the same vein, the trials team needed two radar consoles at SOC Boulmer for the duration of the trial. At first the consoles were refused because Exercise "Mallet Blow" was being held over the same period and the consoles were needed for that. We duly received an info copy of the signal that was sent 30 minutes later authorising us to have priority of the consoles over Boulmer staff with the final sentance "You have permission to cancel Mallet Blow if it proves too difficult".
It is not often that you received top cover at this level, but it was nice to have when it was!