Colonel Tim Collins - Refreshing
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From the BBC website:-
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said he did not think that the British Army was overstretched.
Gen Patrick Cordingley, who was commander of the Desert Rats during the first Gulf War, said the criticism that not enough resources were being providing was justified.
"It's completely unrealistic, as some commentators are saying at the moment, that the government hasn't put enough money behind it.
"We could produce a lot more money now very quickly, but it would mortgage the future of the British Army and it probably wouldn't produce anything further for a considerable length of time."
But shadow defence minister Gerald Howarth, said the Tories had predicted that British troops would "get sucked into a very much more fierce counter insurgency operation". However, Parliament was assured by John Reid, the then defence secretary, that this would not be the case, Mr Howarth told BBC Radio 4's World at One.
I wonder what colour the sky is on Kim Howell's planet?
Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells said he did not think that the British Army was overstretched.
Gen Patrick Cordingley, who was commander of the Desert Rats during the first Gulf War, said the criticism that not enough resources were being providing was justified.
"It's completely unrealistic, as some commentators are saying at the moment, that the government hasn't put enough money behind it.
"We could produce a lot more money now very quickly, but it would mortgage the future of the British Army and it probably wouldn't produce anything further for a considerable length of time."
But shadow defence minister Gerald Howarth, said the Tories had predicted that British troops would "get sucked into a very much more fierce counter insurgency operation". However, Parliament was assured by John Reid, the then defence secretary, that this would not be the case, Mr Howarth told BBC Radio 4's World at One.
I wonder what colour the sky is on Kim Howell's planet?
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I'm with GBZ on this one....
I fear that Col Collins is not the best man to pontificate on Air Operations....
Perhaps he'd like it if next time the BBC or Sky needed an opinion on Infantry operations, a retired pilot was wheeled out?
Now I'm sure that it's not all of his own doing, and the press shilling has a lot to do with this, but what happened to discretion? Is Mr Collins' bank account so dry that a polite "I'm not best qualified to talk on that subject" is out of the question?
I fear that Col Collins is not the best man to pontificate on Air Operations....
Perhaps he'd like it if next time the BBC or Sky needed an opinion on Infantry operations, a retired pilot was wheeled out?
Now I'm sure that it's not all of his own doing, and the press shilling has a lot to do with this, but what happened to discretion? Is Mr Collins' bank account so dry that a polite "I'm not best qualified to talk on that subject" is out of the question?
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When we see, for example, the Nimrod-that-doesn't-exist Squadron, they bring one jet, and 50+ people, for a weeks deployment, and spares by the container-load.
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I'm still amazed that a certain welsh foreign office minister in theatre still insists that British forces are not overstretched and that with further aid from our NATO friends, all will be well. I cannot help but wonder what kind of slaughter would await these other 'softer nations' if they were introduced to a focused Taliban offensive of the like currently keeping our lads occupied. If our exceptionally well trained and battle hardened troops are taking casualties when they come into contact, what hope is there for the others. If we are to remain in Helmand, then lets take the leash of our troops, support them correctly with more CAS aircraft, more artillery, more mobile infantry, better C4i and enough FULLY equipped troops on the ground to do the Job and get them the hell out of the there before history repeats itself. We have the resources....
Tony Blair, Gordon Brown have you the Balls to use them?
Nuff Said
Tony Blair, Gordon Brown have you the Balls to use them?
Nuff Said
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Seem to remember the very same welsh minister said something a while back which is very relevant to his idea that there is no over stretch and everything is rosy.....
"conceptual *********"
edited to add that
********* = male cow droppings
"conceptual *********"
edited to add that
********* = male cow droppings
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Let's remember that this thread is in particular about Col Tim Collins.
I for one am incensed that he is trotted out every time there is an opinion needed on Iraq or Afghanistan. Just because he smoked a cigar, looked the part (Sunglasses et al) and swore a bit, he's now apparently the voice of the man in the street when it comes to talking about anything "combat".
As many before me have pointed out, this was the man who spoke about how we needed to disband the RAF.
Wonder how his civilian helo fleet would be getting on out there round about now?
I for one am incensed that he is trotted out every time there is an opinion needed on Iraq or Afghanistan. Just because he smoked a cigar, looked the part (Sunglasses et al) and swore a bit, he's now apparently the voice of the man in the street when it comes to talking about anything "combat".
As many before me have pointed out, this was the man who spoke about how we needed to disband the RAF.
Wonder how his civilian helo fleet would be getting on out there round about now?
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It does make me laugh that right up until he slagged off the RAF, everybody on this Forum thought he was great.
Just read the old thread about his speech etc.
Anyway, he wasn't suggesting that we didn't need Military aircraft and Pilots, just that there was no need for them to be RAF.
He merely believes (as do most of us that wear a more elegant uniform) that he would get better service and value for money from the Army and FAA.
Seems reasonable to me.
Just read the old thread about his speech etc.
Anyway, he wasn't suggesting that we didn't need Military aircraft and Pilots, just that there was no need for them to be RAF.
He merely believes (as do most of us that wear a more elegant uniform) that he would get better service and value for money from the Army and FAA.
Seems reasonable to me.
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Senior service could probably do it cheaper by cutting corners but it doesnt have any jets to do it with...
Also latest rumour is that Senior Service secret recruiting agents are waiting in the shadows at OASC to pick up the wanabee pilots that the RAF have turned down...
how reasonable does that seem
Bate taken, hook an all!
Also latest rumour is that Senior Service secret recruiting agents are waiting in the shadows at OASC to pick up the wanabee pilots that the RAF have turned down...
how reasonable does that seem
Bate taken, hook an all!
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Senior service could probably do it cheaper by cutting corners but it doesnt have any jets to do it with...
Also latest rumour is that Senior Service secret recruiting agents are waiting in the shadows at OASC to pick up the wanabee pilots that the RAF have turned down...
how reasonable does that seem
Bate taken, hook an all!
Also latest rumour is that Senior Service secret recruiting agents are waiting in the shadows at OASC to pick up the wanabee pilots that the RAF have turned down...
how reasonable does that seem
Bate taken, hook an all!
Let's get back to the thread in hand gents......
He is a charlatan, and should bloody well know better. The "rebranding" of the RAF to his own favourite AAC and FAA is laughable, or it would be if it weren't so stupid.
Gimp comment I'm afraid, and doesn't bear arguing about. It's so silly I laugh openly about it!
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Sounds like a good idea.
Wait till the RAF has failed them at OASC for being in possession of either a personality, sense of hunour or a big c@ck(not required for female Naval recruits, though strangely, I understand not a permanent stopper for the green Merlin fleet?!!)
Incidentally, we do have jets. The top bods apparently decided that the RAF was wasting a valuable asset, so gave some of yours to us, so we could show you how its done.
I was unaware that G+T could come in anything other than a large, sarmonkey!
Obviously another of those uncouth crabisms.
Wait till the RAF has failed them at OASC for being in possession of either a personality, sense of hunour or a big c@ck(not required for female Naval recruits, though strangely, I understand not a permanent stopper for the green Merlin fleet?!!)
Incidentally, we do have jets. The top bods apparently decided that the RAF was wasting a valuable asset, so gave some of yours to us, so we could show you how its done.
I was unaware that G+T could come in anything other than a large, sarmonkey!
Obviously another of those uncouth crabisms.
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But like the Murphy's, he's not bitter... I know you're a fish-head, old boy, but there's no need to prove it by biting on the hook that gets spat back at you. Never mind - work on the sense of humour and you might in the RAF yet.
Back to the thread in hand, though - shameless media tart though he is, the good Col C's comments may stoke the fire that appears to be slowly catching around the overstretch argument. The more coverage this gets, by whatever means, can only help all 3 services (Be they senior or superior. Calm down, RN, just a joke). The good Col's bandwagon-jumping sh1t about RAF-abolishing was Sunday-page 9-filling fodder. This is being talked about nationwide still, and that's a good thing.
Back to the thread in hand, though - shameless media tart though he is, the good Col C's comments may stoke the fire that appears to be slowly catching around the overstretch argument. The more coverage this gets, by whatever means, can only help all 3 services (Be they senior or superior. Calm down, RN, just a joke). The good Col's bandwagon-jumping sh1t about RAF-abolishing was Sunday-page 9-filling fodder. This is being talked about nationwide still, and that's a good thing.
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Cumbrian Fell, quite correct the esteemed Col was in the employ of a PMC shortly after retiring. Sadly their reputation and actions in Iraq were sufficient to merit news articles in the media re. random firing on Iraqi civilian vehs whilst carrying out CP duties.
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You have to remember this Collins fella has serious political ambitions, so it may be wise to treat most of his public pronouncements with the same caution reserved for those of Blair, Brown, Browne, Cameron, etc etc et al!
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Food for thought
It would be perfectly feasible to get rid of the RAF. It is rather quaint outdated idea to have a "pure air force" and quite unnecessary. The Army Air Corps operate more aircraft than the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm put together and thinking about it one could justify disbanding the RAF completely.
Fleet Air Arm responsible for Search and Rescue, Coastal Command and Fisheries protection (including Coastguard) Land based and seaborne fast jets to protect the fleet(s) and provide hightly mobile cover for military and naval operations. Long range bomber(s) and AWACS/Sigint/Tankers - such as may be required go to the Navy.
Army Air Corps responsible for their own logistical battle field support heavy, medium and light helicopters. Battlefield over the horizon radar fixed wing and covert surveillance aircraft also to Army.
Red Arrows - well pretty sad to say but we could actually do without them although they could be contracted out
This would save millions that could be diverted to the Army and Navy, after all the Air Force was an uncessary invention of the first world war anyway! Long live the Royal Flying Corps
Fleet Air Arm responsible for Search and Rescue, Coastal Command and Fisheries protection (including Coastguard) Land based and seaborne fast jets to protect the fleet(s) and provide hightly mobile cover for military and naval operations. Long range bomber(s) and AWACS/Sigint/Tankers - such as may be required go to the Navy.
Army Air Corps responsible for their own logistical battle field support heavy, medium and light helicopters. Battlefield over the horizon radar fixed wing and covert surveillance aircraft also to Army.
Red Arrows - well pretty sad to say but we could actually do without them although they could be contracted out
This would save millions that could be diverted to the Army and Navy, after all the Air Force was an uncessary invention of the first world war anyway! Long live the Royal Flying Corps
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Celebrity Military Expert
With the current rash of reality TV shows, how about this for an idea? A bitchfight between Tim Collins and John Nicholl for the title of Celebrity Military Expert.
A 'Bull-Off' in several categories in which neither have any experience but have two minutes of airtime to fill......
Just a thought.
A 'Bull-Off' in several categories in which neither have any experience but have two minutes of airtime to fill......
Just a thought.
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