This is going to play right into the hands of those up top who we all know would rather be operating a set up more akin to the AEF operation.
Oh, I couldn't agree more. The ignoring of rules and regs, such as those for AEA/Safety Equipment, is another reason for the slow recovery. As post #61 suggested, these more trivial items were but the tip of a rather large iceberg. Just because you've flown 40 years without incident is no guarantee for it not happening the very next sortie - you can fly 10 crap circuits and get away with it, only to spank in on your 11th having flown the same crap (and run out of luck).
The VGS must come back stronger after this or I agree it will need to become an AEF-like operation. Mediocrity and a laissez-faire attitude in the military (even more so with youths involved) are no longer tolerable; they may have been 10, 20 or 30 years ago, but not now.
Standby for change, embrace it or wither. It's your choice.
The B Word