AAR in Falklands

[KC-10 Driver]

Hey folks, I'd like your informed opinions/advice on something. . .. .A few years ago, as a follow-on to a South American mission I was scheduled to be on, I tried to arrange a stop in the Falklands to perform air refueling training with the RAF unit there.. .. .Believe it or not, it looked like the operation might have received diplomatic approval. However, it was eventually squashed due to budgetary constraints on the part of the RAF (the RAF couldn't justify paying the USAF for tanker support when there was already an RAF tanker there -- at least that's how it was explained to me).. .. .Well, when/if the world gets back to something resembling normal, I would again like to take a shot at trying to arrange this operation.. .. .Any tips for me on how to get something like this approved, particularly from the MoD/RAF side, would be greatly appreciated. Is there a particular office or agency that I would want to speak with?. .. .I've been all over the world in the Extender, but this idea seems to be just out of reach. That makes it even more appealing. Your thoughts?

[Cabe LeCutter]

You could start a rumour that the Falklands are a hotbed of moslem fanatics; I suspect that you would be doing more sorties down there than you had bargained for. Come to think of it I might start that rumour myself I can think of a lot of people, including me, who would be gratefull.. .. .Head down, look out for the flack.

[BEagle]

KC-10 dude - I suspect that what you'd like to do is fraught with political difficulty in addition to the fiscal difficulties you hint at.. . . .But then again, why if we have DeathStars doing the South Atlantic run don't we rotate them and their crews through the Malvinas for some AAR work as well, someone might ask...... .. .Liked the 'Osama benny-Laden' idea though..... . . . <small>[ 17 March 2002, 08:37: Message edited by: BEagle ]</small>

[vascodegama]

I just can't understand why anyone would want to go there anyway!

[Dan Winterland]

Also bear in mind that the Falklands are not in the NATO sphere of influence - this has created problems in the past with NATO exchanges.

[robspottydog]

I am a genieoouse - is it 'cos it is in the south atlantic? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[15/15 flex]

Vasco.....I'm with you on that. . .. .Now, if the KC-10s took over the Falklands role, then we could maybe hang out in Diego and Hickam and Guam and....now there's a thought.. .. .(Edited due to lack of familiarity with the Falklands in the last 3 years - thankfully!). . . . <small>[ 17 March 2002, 19:34: Message edited by: 15/15 flex ]</small>

[KC-10 Driver]

I get the feeling that the Falklands are for you what most of the Arabian Peninsula is for me and my cohorts.. .. .I get the hint: I wouldn't want to spend much time there.. .. .However, it's still a corner of the world I've never visited.... .. .By the way, I've been trying for years to get to Diego, but they just keep sending me to the Gulf!

[opso]

Hey, we've got boys in the the Arabian Peninsula too - FI is much more boring!. .. .As long as you can get the backing of your chain, along the lines of taking the opportunity of being 'in the area' to exercise some combined ops etc, it could be worth getting the offer in to HQ 2 Gp. Probably the best initial approach would be for a full-bird to contact Gp Capt Ops who has done his time in the USofA and would be a sympathetic ear to push things up the UK chain if it is achievable. He would also be well placed to say no quickly if it isn't going to be a player - thereby saving any practice bleeding.

[Dan Winterland]

Further to my last post, I think you will find the opposition will come from your end, not the British. America is trying to foster relations with South American countries, particularly Argentina (i.e recent supply of A4Ks to Argentina with loan of USAF instructors). The UK and Argentina are still at loggerheads over the Falklands, your side probably won't have one of thier assets down there obstensively defending the Islands from one of their allies.. .. .Before someone comments, this isn't classified information. It's no more than has previously been published in Flight magazine.. .. .PS. I wouldn't be so keen to go there!. . . . <small>[ 18 March 2002, 10:36: Message edited by: Dan Winterland ]</small>

[Flatus Veteranus]

KC10 Driver. .. .In adition to Opso's words of wisdom, it might be worth while keeping your AA at your London Embassy on side. (It would give the bug*er something useful to do!)

[MrBernoulli]

KC10 old boy, it might be okay to visit the place once but thats it. You really don´t want to make a habit of it. It is bleak, windy and the people who call themselves Falklanders ............. well ........ let´s not go there.