RAF on the F word
Saddams Love Child
It was more to do with the current top airship who thought that the ALARM firing F3 was too immature - so instead of sending something that could reactively target EW targets he used an aircraft that could only fire PET shots 
The comms fit was better than the GR4 by the way and they are Link 16 players!
The guys on the F3 OEU worked like demons to get ALARM and TIALD cleared for F3 only to have it all turned off by a mud-mover - Funny old thing, that..."Jobs for the boys" springs to mind. The F3 is a far better ALARM carrier than the present GR4 will ever be; unless they plan to fit TRD, a set of interferometers and some bigger donks...
Oh, and I will laugh my c@ck off when all you truckies and wokka-mates get monstered by a credible air threat in our next campaign - "we don't need fighters do we"!
Still my fighter days are over now that I'm a rubber-desk johnny...
LJ
As I recall from the CAOC in TELIC the USA wouldnt allow the F3 to play a major part because they didnt have the right fit/comms etc and were not able to fulfil a multi-role, they didnt really need dedicated fighters because there wasnt a threat and the airspace was at a premium.
The comms fit was better than the GR4 by the way and they are Link 16 players!
The guys on the F3 OEU worked like demons to get ALARM and TIALD cleared for F3 only to have it all turned off by a mud-mover - Funny old thing, that..."Jobs for the boys" springs to mind. The F3 is a far better ALARM carrier than the present GR4 will ever be; unless they plan to fit TRD, a set of interferometers and some bigger donks...
Oh, and I will laugh my c@ck off when all you truckies and wokka-mates get monstered by a credible air threat in our next campaign - "we don't need fighters do we"!
Still my fighter days are over now that I'm a rubber-desk johnny...
LJ
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Oh, and I will laugh my c@ck off when all you truckies and wokka-mates get monstered by a credible air threat in our next campaign
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Comedy on the F-Word
Lovin some of the the good old RAF banter on here but not liking the warped, narrow-minded comment from mighty (g?)imp quite as much! The less offensive comments and observations of groundcrew always make me chuckle (as an ex-techie!), but when you see throw-away remarks like this, it's kind of scary to think we have morons like that in the team. Oh well, some mothers do 'ave em!
Anyway! I think the F-Word feature made for some good, punchy PR with great aerial shots, and it must have come across pretty well to the public. I think the toasties must have brought the glamorous image nicely down-to-earth for them!
But come on guys, let's cut through the cr*p, who's more important or more deserving of medals. There were some great moments on the F-Word that only us servicemen would have appreciated. The gold awards for slickly stage-managed shots must go to:
a. Ramsay casually strolling onto camp, straight past the guardroom as if his celebrity status made him exempt from getting a pass, saying 'Morning!' to the guard (who must have wanted ground to swallow him up). I know, I know, 'artistic licence', and something only servicemen will appreciate, but kinda funny nevertheless!
b. While bbq-ing the fish and chorizo thingy, everyone pausing in unison to stare up at 2 jets roaring past, and one of the aircrew saying 'hopefully they'll come back X-Ray'
(couldn't find a cringing smilie)
Some comedy moments for us, great PR for the public.
Keep up the banter,
mtd
Anyway! I think the F-Word feature made for some good, punchy PR with great aerial shots, and it must have come across pretty well to the public. I think the toasties must have brought the glamorous image nicely down-to-earth for them!
But come on guys, let's cut through the cr*p, who's more important or more deserving of medals. There were some great moments on the F-Word that only us servicemen would have appreciated. The gold awards for slickly stage-managed shots must go to:
a. Ramsay casually strolling onto camp, straight past the guardroom as if his celebrity status made him exempt from getting a pass, saying 'Morning!' to the guard (who must have wanted ground to swallow him up). I know, I know, 'artistic licence', and something only servicemen will appreciate, but kinda funny nevertheless!
b. While bbq-ing the fish and chorizo thingy, everyone pausing in unison to stare up at 2 jets roaring past, and one of the aircrew saying 'hopefully they'll come back X-Ray'
(couldn't find a cringing smilie)Some comedy moments for us, great PR for the public.
Keep up the banter,
mtd
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Leon Jabamouth
You're right - what we need is a proper fighter, not the global embarrassment that is the F3.
Still, enjoy your posh lunches boys and girls - I gather you've got plenty of spare time to eat them.
You're right - what we need is a proper fighter, not the global embarrassment that is the F3.
Still, enjoy your posh lunches boys and girls - I gather you've got plenty of spare time to eat them.
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SAR Boy Anchor.
It is part of CAS's new Engagement Strategy. He is concerned that the public know why we need an Air Force, why the Air Force needs Typhoon, and why the Air Force must be capable of meeting future unknown threats 10-15 years down the line.
CAS is also engaging with the movers and shakers in the country, he is holding a ball in the Tower of London. He is trying to reach out to Joe Public, not the ones who go to air shows, they are the converted, but to those who cannot or do not want to get involved in air shows.
As mentioned the air show format is changing; some this year, more next year.
I saw the programme, no idea who the guy with the frying pan was but the mother-in-law certainly did.
Can anyone explain why we have to bother with publicity and being nice to the public at all, other than to maintain recruitment?
I mean we've had a PR department for years now and its not as though its stopped any of the cutbacks....
I mean we've had a PR department for years now and its not as though its stopped any of the cutbacks....
CAS is also engaging with the movers and shakers in the country, he is holding a ball in the Tower of London. He is trying to reach out to Joe Public, not the ones who go to air shows, they are the converted, but to those who cannot or do not want to get involved in air shows.
As mentioned the air show format is changing; some this year, more next year.
I saw the programme, no idea who the guy with the frying pan was but the mother-in-law certainly did.
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Gentleman,
Lets not be too hard on the 43 guys, at the end of the day their pilots and trained to said job not actors, evan if we have a PR bunch, who im pretty confident do a desent job (cant please everyone) they have limited budgets and resources as do every branch in the Force, if we're going to start pointing fingers its Mr Gordie Brown, who apaarently thinks the Airforce can run on pennies, mind you if the NHS can????
Snoopy
Lets not be too hard on the 43 guys, at the end of the day their pilots and trained to said job not actors, evan if we have a PR bunch, who im pretty confident do a desent job (cant please everyone) they have limited budgets and resources as do every branch in the Force, if we're going to start pointing fingers its Mr Gordie Brown, who apaarently thinks the Airforce can run on pennies, mind you if the NHS can????
Snoopy
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Perhaps, Two Pack, with your perceptive insight into fighter requirements, you could describe the attributes you look for in a front-line fighter capable of performing the role of air defence of the UK?
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Soddim, I was actually thinking about somewhere further afield than the UK.
Haven't seen any F3s east of Cyprus but you'll be pleased to know that the GR4 is doing an excellent job at CAS in a more operational theatre.
Haven't seen any F3s east of Cyprus but you'll be pleased to know that the GR4 is doing an excellent job at CAS in a more operational theatre.
Twopack - I don't doubt for a second that the GR boys are doing a great job from 'The Deid' (though they are low-average , just kidding dudes).
But please explain to me exactly what air threat you would like the F3 Force to counter in either Iraq or Afghanistan?
I seem to remember that before my time on the jet, back in the days when Iraq HAD an air force, that the F3, along with most other FJ players spent 10+ yrs doing N/S Watch, Resinate etc
, just kidding dudes).But please explain to me exactly what air threat you would like the F3 Force to counter in either Iraq or Afghanistan?
I seem to remember that before my time on the jet, back in the days when Iraq HAD an air force, that the F3, along with most other FJ players spent 10+ yrs doing N/S Watch, Resinate etc
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Shouldnt it have been 2 navigators doing the cooking - a sort of resettlement course for when Typhoon takes over and they no longer have jobs
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Twopack - It appears to me that you are the narrow minded kind of individual that reads the Sun for your air power knowledge and current affairs.
I dont doubt you have been further east than Cyprus but I am wondering where the Air to Air threat is over there? Bar Iran maybe?! The F3 packs more punch than you may ever know now that the radar upgrade/jtids/amraam and asraam are fully functional. We wouldnt have gone to Telic at all had we not been capable of functioning as well as, or better than the Yanks.
Did anyone know 9-11 was going to happen or was the mighty USA caught on the hop when they really needed QRA? I agree that QRA sits for 99.999% of the time in a chair praying that they dont actually have to go and "do the job" as that will make more headlines than anything going on in Iraq or the Stan.
My final rant about your CAS comment. Of course the F3 is not in Afghanistan doing CAS instead of the GR4!! They are a bomber, the F3 is designed for Air to Air (maybe the Beano didnt explain that!). Im sure some SF mate would not appreciate a theatre full of F3s on CAS instead of a dedicated bomber. The same reason the GR4 fleet dont share QRA duties in the UK/Falklands. Its a Tornado but different.
Im looking forward to my next bout of Air Combat and a posh champagne lunch! You clown!
I dont doubt you have been further east than Cyprus but I am wondering where the Air to Air threat is over there? Bar Iran maybe?! The F3 packs more punch than you may ever know now that the radar upgrade/jtids/amraam and asraam are fully functional. We wouldnt have gone to Telic at all had we not been capable of functioning as well as, or better than the Yanks.
Did anyone know 9-11 was going to happen or was the mighty USA caught on the hop when they really needed QRA? I agree that QRA sits for 99.999% of the time in a chair praying that they dont actually have to go and "do the job" as that will make more headlines than anything going on in Iraq or the Stan.
My final rant about your CAS comment. Of course the F3 is not in Afghanistan doing CAS instead of the GR4!! They are a bomber, the F3 is designed for Air to Air (maybe the Beano didnt explain that!). Im sure some SF mate would not appreciate a theatre full of F3s on CAS instead of a dedicated bomber. The same reason the GR4 fleet dont share QRA duties in the UK/Falklands. Its a Tornado but different.
Im looking forward to my next bout of Air Combat and a posh champagne lunch! You clown!
Come on you trukkies
"We don't need fighters do we"!
Then we could answer "Why do we need Typhoon?"...because DHL can't offer them!
Come on Trukkies, Leons baited the hook with a high-fat Ginsters pastie (one of Gordon's favourites)...
PS For the low IQ brothers/sisters out there this might be banter
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I seem to remember from my history lessons that there was an almighty clamour in the 1920s and 30s to do away with Fighters. Luckily, thanks to the vision of some people in the right places, we were able to secure enough Spitfires and Hurricanes to stop the tyranny of fascism from completely taking over Europe, arguably ensuring its eventual defeat (any fish-heads who have major objections please retire to your cabins and spin dits about how it was you who really won the Battle of Britain, doesn't hold any water with me). I believe that that was one of our country's (and I'm not forgetting the contribution and sacrifice of the foreign crews) greatest contributions to humanity.
We must learn from the mistake our forefathers so nearly made back then, and retain a balance of forces. Who knows who we could be in conflict with next and forces we would require for such a thing? To argue that we will only go to war in a coalition is also folly - I'm sure many people thought the same thing in the early months of 1982.
We must learn from the mistake our forefathers so nearly made back then, and retain a balance of forces. Who knows who we could be in conflict with next and forces we would require for such a thing? To argue that we will only go to war in a coalition is also folly - I'm sure many people thought the same thing in the early months of 1982.
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3.....2........1......Back in the room.
Shall we get back to the F word before someone gets an eye scratched out!
Anyone substantiate Big Boy Ramsay hurling alas Jezza Clarkson post his flight?
Shall we get back to the F word before someone gets an eye scratched out!
Anyone substantiate Big Boy Ramsay hurling alas Jezza Clarkson post his flight?
Back in the days when I was coffee bar officer we could only get our rations from NAAFI (now Spar) - I can't see them selling Chorizo or sides of fish (was it Cod?).
So come on Gordo. What can you rustle up with Spar Cheese, Spar Brown Sauce and Spar Bread (white of course)? The entree is Champion crisps and all washed down with a delightful 2003 vintage Panda Pop (out of date).
Of course the SHEF (Health and Safety idiot not the cook) would have a fit about a propane burning cooker needed to cook Gordo's chosen menu.
So come on Gordo. What can you rustle up with Spar Cheese, Spar Brown Sauce and Spar Bread (white of course)? The entree is Champion crisps and all washed down with a delightful 2003 vintage Panda Pop (out of date).
Of course the SHEF (Health and Safety idiot not the cook) would have a fit about a propane burning cooker needed to cook Gordo's chosen menu.
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Fox 4 - Whoaaaa, take a chill pill - didn't know you boys were so precious!
Keep safe defending the UK from those horrible airliners and I look forward to seeing you all on Jamie's Dinners.
Keep safe defending the UK from those horrible airliners and I look forward to seeing you all on Jamie's Dinners.
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I'll be the first to admit I didn't actually see the 'offending' TV slot, but it sounds exactly the kind of trite self serving promotional crap that would have put me off wanting to join up! 
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Well of course, the reason the F3 is stuck in the UK is because both it and its crews are crap!!
I mean
Its not like they are regularly able to hand, far superior platforms, their arses on a plate - as proven on just about every major exercise.
Its not they are capable of employing ALARM in a manner which is far superior to the way the GR will ever achieve.
Its not like they regularly train in Close Air Support and even if it is only 27mm HE, its not like they could take some of the strain of the overworked GR7/9.
Or maybe, is it because:-
The powers that be, politically, can't be seen to employ the F3 in a current op, irrespective of its pedigree or ability to ease the pressure on other assets. Because clearly, that would call into question why it is being replaced by the most expensive procurement programme in history.(Which incidentally, i firmly believe we need.)
And what really makes me laugh, is that most GR mates will continue to bleet about how overworked they are, and how much time they are spending away from home, rather than just admit that the F3 could be the asset which means they spend a month or two extra back in blighty each year.
It pains me to say it, but well done 43. You showed joe public the sort of cameraderie and fun that is part and parcel of life on a fighter sqn. Only the type of person, who would never fit into such an environment could have taken offense!
I mean
Its not like they are regularly able to hand, far superior platforms, their arses on a plate - as proven on just about every major exercise.
Its not they are capable of employing ALARM in a manner which is far superior to the way the GR will ever achieve.
Its not like they regularly train in Close Air Support and even if it is only 27mm HE, its not like they could take some of the strain of the overworked GR7/9.
Or maybe, is it because:-
The powers that be, politically, can't be seen to employ the F3 in a current op, irrespective of its pedigree or ability to ease the pressure on other assets. Because clearly, that would call into question why it is being replaced by the most expensive procurement programme in history.(Which incidentally, i firmly believe we need.)
And what really makes me laugh, is that most GR mates will continue to bleet about how overworked they are, and how much time they are spending away from home, rather than just admit that the F3 could be the asset which means they spend a month or two extra back in blighty each year.
It pains me to say it, but well done 43. You showed joe public the sort of cameraderie and fun that is part and parcel of life on a fighter sqn. Only the type of person, who would never fit into such an environment could have taken offense!