Aircraft needed in Afghanistan
Is this what we are down to....8,000 troops in Iraq, 5,000 in Afghanistan, 10,000 in Northern Ireland...and a demostrated inability to provide AT and CAS to the guys in combat operations.
If that is true...perhaps the folks in big black furry hats might beseech Aunt Betty next time the Guard changes. It is her military after all, perhaps the Royal Family could do a whip round and fund a HouseHold Air Force.
If that is true...perhaps the folks in big black furry hats might beseech Aunt Betty next time the Guard changes. It is her military after all, perhaps the Royal Family could do a whip round and fund a HouseHold Air Force.
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Managed to catch PM's question time today and one comment from Blair really miffed me...
Over a question from, I think, a Liberal MP where he was asking the same old 'Why are we in Afganistan' poser Tony gave just the one reason today....
(This is not a quote but just the gist)
'Was the house aware that girls were now going to school in Afganistan again'
If I was the wife or child of one of these (so far) six brave soldiers who have now perished I would not, to be perfectly honest, give a sh*t about that fact... I would want my husband/dad back...
Maybe it's this sultry weather thats made me short fused at the moment but I just thought what utter rubbish...
Over a question from, I think, a Liberal MP where he was asking the same old 'Why are we in Afganistan' poser Tony gave just the one reason today....
(This is not a quote but just the gist)
'Was the house aware that girls were now going to school in Afganistan again'
If I was the wife or child of one of these (so far) six brave soldiers who have now perished I would not, to be perfectly honest, give a sh*t about that fact... I would want my husband/dad back...
Maybe it's this sultry weather thats made me short fused at the moment but I just thought what utter rubbish...
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What's happening with the Afghan Mi-24's that are being re-furbed, are they likely to be able to help out in the HP? Further, did the ruskies have this hot and high problem when they fought the long and extended war? they always seemed to have loads in the air, from documentary footage etc, and I think I read that loads got shot down by US funded Stingers, so they must have had quite a few capable of operating in this environment.
Why can't we lease some of them?
Why can't we lease some of them?
Hellbound
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'Was the house aware that girls were now going to school in Afganistan again'
Was the house aware that the teachers are being murdered if they get caught teaching the girls...
Was the house aware that the teachers are being murdered if they get caught teaching the girls...
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Originally Posted by lukeylad
couldn't the fleet air arm send some sea kings ?
Now, why not put DAS on the SK Mk7. Can't take troops or indeed engage anything, but it will find enemy movement, enemy moving to towns for ambush etc... And no, the terrain is not a big issue. This would certainly help save lives out there, but who pays for DAS, Navy or Army??
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A bagger cab trying to lift the weight of DAS in afghanistan wouldnt carry enough fuel to cross the airfield boundry.
I also don't think I am giving away too many State secrets if I say that it's radar is currently incapable of spotting Talibanis carrying an RPG.
Apart from those though, great idea
I also don't think I am giving away too many State secrets if I say that it's radar is currently incapable of spotting Talibanis carrying an RPG.
Apart from those though, great idea
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This deployment isn't far off warfighting and the thing about wars is that they are a great big meat grinder that you have to keep feeding. Our Battlefield Helicopters are in short supply and are tired. We have seen numerous projects come and go without any additional lift capability rendered (with the exception of the SK Mk6c) and now the lack of investment is really going to bite. If we send more BH, where do they come from and how do we sustain it? They also need to be BH that can lift more than a couple of blokes in the height of summer. Now where did I put my magic wand..?
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Originally Posted by Tourist
A bagger cab trying to lift the weight of DAS in afghanistan wouldnt carry enough fuel to cross the airfield boundry.
I also don't think I am giving away too many State secrets if I say that it's radar is currently incapable of spotting Talibanis carrying an RPG.
Apart from those though, great idea
I also don't think I am giving away too many State secrets if I say that it's radar is currently incapable of spotting Talibanis carrying an RPG.
Apart from those though, great idea
Not see men on ground, but can see vehicles.......generally not the civvies.
My arguement is getting weaker !! Good. Will stay at home with the kids and wait for FRI
Last edited by Razordome; 6th Jul 2006 at 20:10.
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I joined to DEFEND (the 'D' in MOD) my Country and those in it (albeit during the Cold War). I knew when I joined, and still know, that I must do whatever foreign policy dictates. I will carry out my duty to the best of my ability, whenever, wherever and whatever ordered. I always have.
But I feel sick. I do not think it is reasonable for ANY member of HM Forces to have their life pissed away by our Government. Do they not have a duty to put us in harm's way only when absolutely necessary?
My grandfather (WWII Lancaster aircrew) must feel desperately sad. I am embarrassed to speak to him about 'our' current operations, and he is clearly not willing to speak to me about it.
Good luck everybody. We will need it.
Oik.
But I feel sick. I do not think it is reasonable for ANY member of HM Forces to have their life pissed away by our Government. Do they not have a duty to put us in harm's way only when absolutely necessary?
My grandfather (WWII Lancaster aircrew) must feel desperately sad. I am embarrassed to speak to him about 'our' current operations, and he is clearly not willing to speak to me about it.
Good luck everybody. We will need it.
Oik.
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Oik
Lives are lost in our line of work, be thankful you are not being asked to walk very slowly towards the enemy across no-man's land with nothing more than a swagger stick and your Webley for protection - that might have been seen to be p***ing lives away.
CS
Lives are lost in our line of work, be thankful you are not being asked to walk very slowly towards the enemy across no-man's land with nothing more than a swagger stick and your Webley for protection - that might have been seen to be p***ing lives away.
CS
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CS
CS.
I know what I signed for, and I know that I may lose my life in the course of my duties. However, I question the judgement that has numbed the Great British Public to another death in theatre, and another one, and another one.
Should we be grateful that we are not victims of the Somme? I think not. Others may disagree.
Surely we have learned from history?
Regards.
Oik.
I know what I signed for, and I know that I may lose my life in the course of my duties. However, I question the judgement that has numbed the Great British Public to another death in theatre, and another one, and another one.
Should we be grateful that we are not victims of the Somme? I think not. Others may disagree.
Surely we have learned from history?
Regards.
Oik.
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Originally Posted by Compressorstall
Oik
It just seems that people (Tony BLair and cronies) aren't saying they are sorry people have died in the line of duty
CS
It just seems that people (Tony BLair and cronies) aren't saying they are sorry people have died in the line of duty
CS