Five become Four - A Sqn too many!

[Lima Juliet]

Just heard a rumour that we may be down to just 4 AD Sqns soon. Great work from 1Gp and STC, who have not only overtasked this asset with the Gulf & FIs, but also expect the aircrew from whichever Sqn to move families to new locations (Including G'Crew) to fill manning deficiencies.. .I should think this comes at a bad time when the ex-Dead Sparrows Leader is about to start his aircrew-retention roadshow.. .Another "Retention Positive" move from the Airships - Well Done! I guess Mrs Airship can get those new curtains from DHE now!. .:-( LJ

[Big Green Arrow]

Sounds like a cracking idea....at least we won't have a shortage of FJ Navs anymore...job done...!!!! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[Poison Arrow]

Any news on which one? I guess the clue's in the title.

And can anyone confirm the rumours about V's move to Waddo being delayed. Is it for the above reason, or yet another delay to the Eurofaffer?

And when are Chicken in a Basket going up North?

I guess JSF will be ready first.......

<img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: Poison Arrow ]</p>

[Kaa050]

Poison,

You Sir, are much more intuitive than you look!! I suggest you watch your mail. You might be "getting some" sooner than you think. Oooooh Errrrrr!

. .Kaa

[bakseetblatherer]

This is not a rumour, 5(AC) Sqn will go to be replaced by the Eurofighter. When is a matter of debate, it has been rumoured to be happening "soon" for years. Since the Eurofighter probably won't be op for a while this will mean a lot of time in the Gulf and the FIs for the F3 guys. Add to this double Q 'cos of Sep 11 it will be a big push factor to aircrew. (Unless, of course, the guys at the top tell tony that we can't do all this and something will have to go?). <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Jackonicko]

5 damn nearly became no more than an OEU a year ago (see threads here). They can't have long, can they?

But if you had to select four historic fighter numberplates for these four AD units, which would they be?

Not 5, 11, 17, 25, or 29, I'll be bound!

19? 56? 74? 92? even 41, 54?

[ORAC]

You're just trying to wind Tremblers up!!

[Poison Arrow]

Kaa050 nothing received mate. I'm waiting with baited. I could have guessed though, I never get any. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

Go on, send the gossip to an ex fire bird and Maple leaf. Don't mention the (AC) bit.

[trailfinder]

31Jan2002 UK: NATIONAL NEWS - RAF to cut one defence squadron NEWS DIGEST. . .By ALEXANDER NICOLL.

A shortage of pilots has forced the Royal Air Force to dismantle one of its five air defence squadrons - each with 12 aircraft - 19 months earlier than planned.. .Officials said that from next January there would be only four squadrons of Tornado F3s defending Britain from aerial attack. However, the change aimed to increase efficiency and would not involve cutting aircraft or personnel.. .The RAF is 131 short of its full complement of 1,484 junior officer pilots and 54 below its target of 642 navigators. To discourage them from leaving to join airlines, this week's armed forces pay review offered them a £30,000 payment five years before they become eligible for pensions, and £50,000 when they become eligible. Alexander Nicoll.. .(c) Copyright Financial Times Ltd. All rights reserved.. .<a href="http://www.ft.com." target="_blank">http://www.ft.com.</a>

Source: FINANCIAL TIMES . .FULL TEXT FINANCIAL TIMES 31/01/2002

[TL Thou]

Who says don't believe what you read in the papers?

"The Sunday Times (30 July 2000)reported that defence ministers were set to approve a package of cuts to the Royal Air Force. This was less than two weeks after boasting they had given the service a budget rise.

According to the Sunday Times, one frontline Tornado squadron was to be withdrawn, aircraft scrapped and weapons purchases reduced or cancelled under the proposals. Other programmes were to be slowed down to save money, so the air force would have to struggle for longer with ageing equipment.

Savings options approved under the plan include:

Withdrawal of 5 Squadron, a Tornado fighter unit, from the frontline. The squadron, will be halved in size and have a new role as an ‘evaluation and tactical development unit’;

Cutting back the Brimstone programme which is an all-weather precision-guided missile introduced after problems in cloudy weather over Kosovo. The RAF will order 25 per cent fewer missiles and they will become operational a year later than first intended;"""

Both happened.

And this was the MoD's response!!!

"Dr Moonie said the document was one of a number of speculative "think pieces" drafted before the outcome of this summer's three-year spending review.

"It was written before we announced the first real-terms increase in the defence budget for over a decade," he said.

"Its assumptions are out of date and no longer relevant. This paper is no longer under consideration"

Marvellous.. . <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

[Iron City]

Are you guys sure that you don't have the great grandson of Calvin ("lets just buy one aeroplane and let the aviators take turns flying it") Coolidge in MoD?

[Jackonicko]

Which is preferable, and why?

Four fully-manned, up-to-establishment squadrons, or five under-strength, under established units?

Did V actually become a de facto OEU? And if so is the squadrons disapearance not just an inevitable response to the run-down of the F3 prior to the introduction of the EF Typhoon?

I'm genuinely curious, no more, no less. :)

[Navy_Adversary]

Just like in the old Cowboy movies, when our backs are against the wall and the wagon train is surrounded, could we not call upon the cavalry, AKA. The 48FW at RAF Lakenheath, or is this politically incorrect? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[OldBonaMate]

See BBC online, UK pages: "Air Defence Squadron to go"

Bad luck 5!

<img src="frown.gif" border="0"> <img src="frown.gif" border="0"> <img src="frown.gif" border="0">

[Megaton]

Have you seen Big Ben in the picture accompanying this article? It looks like someone has had a go at knocking it over already! :)

<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_1795000/1795293.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/england/newsid_1795000/1795293.stm</a>

[ 01 February 2002: Message edited by: Ham Phisted ]</p>

[A D Mate]

Jackonico, don't believe all you read, as far as I've heard from the chaps on 5 they finish by next Jan but the interim is uncertain. As for 5 becoming the OEU, we already have one of those as part of 56, i guess when 5 disbands there will be a spare numberplate.. maybe they have earmarked it for when 56 move north (rumour has it late 2003 now) and the combined fast jet OEU moves in (more conjecture..??). Lots of rumours but isn't that what the sites for?

[Min Decent Ht]

Flutter, flutter, flutter. .Autumn's here. .Yam sing!

[Kaa050]

Min,

Wise Words..........

Whatever happened to the "International Hedge Jumping Team" ??

I thought a place in the Olymics was assured!

By the way: AG- You're an Arse! (You're as in: YOU ARE) Me being an ISS graduate at aircrew "A" level! (C)

I hope there is a "Final Flutter...Flutter...." Party!

Kaa . . <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[Evil Bastard]

Getting rid of a sqn - what a great way of solving aircrew, a/c, spares, budget, in fact all shortages in the RAF.

Can't wait to see which GR1/4 sqn will go, maybe a Chinook Flight, early retirement for Jags, wow this could be really good news for Gordon Browns NHS spending plans.

Wish I'd thought of it and entered a GEM (if the suggestion scheme still exists)- the kickback at 10% of several 100 £million would make quite a contribution to my Ferrari fund. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">

[sad spaniel]

If there are any plans for a final thrash at CGY can someone post them here or let me know (see details). Wouldn't mind going if it's an Association doo!