Leadership - Too little; too late

[Spot 4]

Noticed this on teletext and stole the text from the Telegraph:

Navy is 'very stretched', warns Admiral
(Filed: 07/02/2006)

The retiring head of the Royal Navy has warned that the force is "very stretched", and says continuing cuts could put the security of the country at risk.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West said the Navy's dwindling resources were preventing it from doing its job properly.

Although Sir Alan praised the Navy's "loyal, hard-working and superb" personnel, he warned against making further cuts.

The 57-year-old will today be replaced by Admiral Sir Jonathon Bond, who will take up the post of First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

"We're playing games with our assets to make sure we meet our commitments," he told The Sun newspaper.

"Over time we won't have the forces available should there suddenly be a strategic shock.

"The security and wealth of this country depend on the sea and the Navy. If you let things run too far down you put that security in jeopardy.

"On a day-to-day basis around the world, we are very stretched."

Or in other words "I'm out of here and I am leaving an absolute disgrace behind". Where are the senior officers who are prepared to put the military first before they retire? We all appreciate that regardless of rank, you answer to a boss, and when the chain gets to the PM he answers to a country, many of whome have no idea about world politics. However a true leader would have made these comments years ago, when perhaps in a position to at least try and do something about it!

Admiral Sir Jonathon Bond has inherited a most difficult position, but I hope that he is not a career person to the bone and is prepared to stand up and be counted. In recent times we have heard senior Army Officers calling for Blairs impeachment, and now a grizzle from the Navy: RAF it is your turn, and if no retirements are imminent, please speak up now!

Rant over, cause I do know that all the good leaders left a long time ago, and I can still recall an AVM saying to me (over dinner believe it or not) that anyone in the RAF after Wg Cdr is only there because he/she cannot get a job!

[Widger]

By the way it is Jonathan BAND not Bond and definately not James.
I have got to defend Admiral West. He has, like all three Service chiefs been hit by the treasury and has had to make some tough decisions. He has mortgaged the current navy in the hope that we will get something better in the future and he has my support. Under his tenure we are now months away from main gate on the CVF which will bring Maritime (notice I did not say NAVAL) Aviation into the 21st century. No, we cannot afford all we want at this moment in time, but he at least put in place, a vision that placed the projection of airpower and support of ground forces above all else. For those not familiar with this man, you might like to read the link below. He has been one of the best 1SLs we have ever had and has not been afraid of making difficult decisions now for future benefit. He has my respect!
P.S> Note how he speaks about JOINT OPERATIONS and does not just spout about his Service. There are some on these fora that could learn a lesson there!
http://www.warshipsifr.com/pages/interview_alanWest.html

[Grum Peace Odd]

When you're not self-sufficient, you always have to talk about co-operation with others...

[RayDarr]

The Admiral was interviewed on the Radio 4 "Today" prog, this morning. He made some very valid remarks including
25 Destroyers/Frigates is about 5 short of what we should have
and
Yes we could still do a "Falklands" if we had to.
also,
As a military man, he was after all he could get, but although he had a small Navy, the ships were much more capable than 20 years ago.

I might be light blue, but come from a dark blue family, with 2 sons in the RN. I also remember some years back the view that 50 Destroyers/Frigates was about right.
What do we think folks, I think the RN is much too small, and I don't think we could run a Falklands war with our current RN/RAF (assume similar scenario to the 1982 war in distance/bases etc)

[Tethered Hover]

Rant over, cause I do know that all the good leaders left a long time ago, and I can still recall an AVM saying to me (over dinner believe it or not) that anyone in the RAF after Wg Cdr is only there because he/she cannot get a job!
Having met Admiral Band, I can tell you that he is one of the most inspiring leaders in the RN today.... "Gentlemen... a piece of advice... When everything is going to 5h*t all around you, just F*$*ing look after your people".

[PPRuNeUser0211]

Raydarr,

Whilst I don't disagree that today's navy may well be more capable. Type 45, although controversial (especially as a replacement for the sea jet, Don't get started WEBF!) certainly looks like a kick ass piece of kit, and I have no doubt the new carriers + JSF (even without a rolls royce engine) will still be the nuts... However, 8 great spangly ships can still only be in 8 places at once.... is it not worthwhile noting that the RN have hauled in a massive drug bust in the last week or so, and such roles should continue, but surely something as big and shiny as a type 45 is overkill for such a role?

Food for thought/....

[Widger]

It is all about where your priorities lie and I am not sure I understand your point, PBA.
The main priorities for today's RN are.
In no particular order:
Protection of our trading routes (HMS Bulwark is presently engaged in combatting Piracy of the coast of Somalia).
Combatting the drugs trade.
Maintaining an independent Nuclear deterrant.
Support of other forces especially the Army and Royal marines. (many new spangly ships to enable the RN to do this. Big investment in heavy lift, culminating in Albion, Bulwark, Ocean, Argus, 4 Bay Class Assault Ships and the two remaining CVS in the LPH role). Also investment in better guns to provide gunfire support at long range. Combine this with the effect of Harpoon both ship and sub launched.
Projection of Air Power, JFH with the GR9 WILL be an effective force. CVF and JCA much more so.
Defence Dimplomacy Covert or Overt.
Air Defence of individual ship or a force. The Type 45 will excel at this task, until the RN get JCA. The SKMk7 and it's future replacement also offers some capability with Searchwater 2000. Probably the best Airborne ASACs system operating anywhere at this time. MK7 can also transmit to troops on the ground as seen during day 1 of the assault on the Al Fawr peninsula.
Support of JHC with Mk4 Seakings, operating in many parts of the world and providing much needed lift capability in :
Sierra Leone
Northern Ireland
Bosnia
Kurdistan
Iraq to name just a few
The Royal Marines god bless em.
So this is just a snapshot, the RN is healthy. Yes we could do with more escorts for all the tasks but at least Adm West had the balls to remove tasks as the ships were paid off.
As to the comment about self sufficiency, the Navy has never won a war on it's own, and everyone in the navy realises that. You need troops on the ground. Even the brilliance of Nelson needed the help of Wellington to finish the job. Sometimes the flying fraternity seem to forget that lesson, you are there as part of a combined, unified and coherent force to support the movement and effect of troops on the ground! Do not listen to those who would seek to drive a wedge between the Services just to achieve their own aims and do not pander to WEBF!

[RayDarr]

PBA Target,
I tend to agree. Admiral said similar in his interview. A ship can only be in one place at a time. I believe we need more smaller "general purpose" ships able to carry out a number of roles rather than anti air or anti sub. However, what the hell do I know about it. I am sure there are many in Pprune land more able to comment on this.
Anyway, must say that when visiting sons various on their assorted bit of the Grey Funnel Line, I have been impressed with what they have and how they employ it. Stuff might be old, but it looks good at 30 odd knots off "Guzz" (as I understand it is called)

Widger,
Poor old Nelson was dead in Oct 1805, which was before Wellington set foot in Portugal. While I take your point that the RN kept the sea lanes open for supply and reinforcements, Wellington didn't get much help from Horatio in beating the French in the Peninsula, or at Waterloo 10 years later.

[Widger]

Front Page of the News today has a full page picture of Adm West with the words "a man of honour"

"outgoing navy boss angers government by telling the public the shocking truth of the state of the senior service"

For those who say he should have done it while in office.....he did.

Good luck with your gardening sir and thanks for your service!

[Spot 4]

For those who say he should have done it while in office.....he did.

If that is the case, then fair play. But perhaps not quite as loud as he has today:ok:

[Si Clik]

I totally agree with Widger as Adm West always spoke his mind and I remember him making clear statements on ship numbers etc at least 18 months ago. The good thing is we are having a good man replaced by a great man.

SI