Reported lack of SAR cover
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: england
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SAR is civvi now!!!
The SAR force is dead in its military form. It commited suicide many years ago when it decided it was far too pretty to go to war. The civvies have been queing up ever since.
Lets not talk about saving it: there's little point.
The reality of SAR is that most operaters are virtually civvies anyway. They work civvi (its a job not a lifestyle),think civi (whine about going to the oh so dangerous falkland islands) and mostly even dress bloody civvi (bright red jackets; rank tabs and head dress optional).
The only thing left to make civvi is the paperwork. Save those who still have a sense of miltary purpose and employ them effecively in a deployable role i say. Scrap the rest.
If you dont relish the prospect of visiting a battlefield in the near future hang up your helmet and sign a differet contract.
There's plenty of skill in this line of work but virtually no sense of service.
Lets not talk about saving it: there's little point.
The reality of SAR is that most operaters are virtually civvies anyway. They work civvi (its a job not a lifestyle),think civi (whine about going to the oh so dangerous falkland islands) and mostly even dress bloody civvi (bright red jackets; rank tabs and head dress optional).
The only thing left to make civvi is the paperwork. Save those who still have a sense of miltary purpose and employ them effecively in a deployable role i say. Scrap the rest.
If you dont relish the prospect of visiting a battlefield in the near future hang up your helmet and sign a differet contract.
There's plenty of skill in this line of work but virtually no sense of service.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Over the sea and far away
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SARoperator:
Vie sans frontieres, you shouldn't have mentioned the words "chopped at SARTU" again - I think SAROperator overheard!
There's plenty of skill in this line of work but virtually no sense of service.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: england
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quite sad really, as SAR is one of the most visable uses of the RAF to the taxpayers, and prob one of most respected roles.... And how can they be called premos?? I appreciate they are not being shot at, unlike the SH boys, but reading some of the reports about thier missions and the conditions they undertake them in would make most pilots fairly pale 
..... During my time in the falklands, our Herc was operating as top cover for the SAR lot, and a few occasions the herc crew were less than happy shall we say about the condtions they were flying in 
... SAR has it's own very unique dangers...
But back on topic, why does everywhere seem to be at the mercy of the bean-counters? No one seems to know the VALUE of anything, yet know the COST of everything
...Whole armed forces at the moment, not just SAR 
..... During my time in the falklands, our Herc was operating as top cover for the SAR lot, and a few occasions the herc crew were less than happy shall we say about the condtions they were flying in ... SAR has it's own very unique dangers...But back on topic, why does everywhere seem to be at the mercy of the bean-counters? No one seems to know the VALUE of anything, yet know the COST of everything
...Whole armed forces at the moment, not just SAR
Join Date: May 2004
Location: middleofnowhere
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SARoperator, I'll quote myself
By your "handle" I can only assume you are involved with the yellow queen, or wish you were if you'd done better.....
If you're not of the yellow variety, you know not what you talketh about
If you are............ You appear to be speaking only for a small minority
thanks for flying the flag
A percentage of SH think the SAR force are a bunch of prima donnas, who have got an easy life.
A percentage of the SAR force thinks they are bitter and twisted, because they failed selection.
A percentage of the SAR force thinks they are bitter and twisted, because they failed selection.
If you're not of the yellow variety, you know not what you talketh about
If you are............ You appear to be speaking only for a small minority
thanks for flying the flag
[/QUOTE]
it was far too pretty to go to war
[/QUOTE]
Yes that's right - the SAR Force had plenty of spare men and machines sat about ready to go, yet chose not to pull its weight. Nothing to do with denuding the UK of SAR cover at all, really.
Disagree. If you are anything to do with SAR (which I strongly doubt) and have an opinion like that, you're no doubt an jack t**t who everyone else has to carry (fortunately we have very few such!).
...isn't moaning a military pastime? And do SH guys never moan about going away? Yes, the SH guys have an unenviable lifestyle compared to SARboys, but in any outfit there will always be some who moan at any incovenience, no matter how minor.
I think you'll find there's a reason why SAR rearcrew are issued with bright red jackets. The reason they wear them away from the aircraft is equally obvious: to piss off cocks like you!
it was far too pretty to go to war
[/QUOTE]
Yes that's right - the SAR Force had plenty of spare men and machines sat about ready to go, yet chose not to pull its weight. Nothing to do with denuding the UK of SAR cover at all, really.
its a job not a lifestyle
whine about going to the oh so dangerous falkland islands
bright red jackets; rank tabs and head dress optional
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: uk
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No sense of service????
T**T. There have been many months where I have virtually no time off at all, and thats all weekends gone and 10 days and nights on call. And I am far from unusual.
Why dont you check with your SH mates? Whilst they are working hard and geting shot at many of them have a quality of life that surpasses SAR mates. Certainly I am the one who cant make time for weddings, socials etc.
Why if SAR is such a cushy number why is an experienced SH mate departing back that way after a short period because its too difficult and time consuming doing SAR?
The sense of service is the only thing propping up the neglected SAR Force at the moment, and its propping it up well.
T**T. There have been many months where I have virtually no time off at all, and thats all weekends gone and 10 days and nights on call. And I am far from unusual.
Why dont you check with your SH mates? Whilst they are working hard and geting shot at many of them have a quality of life that surpasses SAR mates. Certainly I am the one who cant make time for weddings, socials etc.
Why if SAR is such a cushy number why is an experienced SH mate departing back that way after a short period because its too difficult and time consuming doing SAR?
The sense of service is the only thing propping up the neglected SAR Force at the moment, and its propping it up well.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: .....................................
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you allowed to sleep when you do the night shifts? Or do you have to remain awake sitting by the phone like coiled springs waiting for a rescue to go to?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The SAR force is dead in its military form. It commited suicide many years ago when it decided it was far too pretty to go to war. The civvies have been queing up ever since.
Lets not talk about saving it: there's little point.
The reality of SAR is that most operaters are virtually civvies anyway. They work civvi (its a job not a lifestyle),think civi (whine about going to the oh so dangerous falkland islands) and mostly even dress bloody civvi (bright red jackets; rank tabs and head dress optional).
The only thing left to make civvi is the paperwork. Save those who still have a sense of miltary purpose and employ them effecively in a deployable role i say. Scrap the rest.
If you dont relish the prospect of visiting a battlefield in the near future hang up your helmet and sign a differet contract.
There's plenty of skill in this line of work but virtually no sense of service.
Lets not talk about saving it: there's little point.
The reality of SAR is that most operaters are virtually civvies anyway. They work civvi (its a job not a lifestyle),think civi (whine about going to the oh so dangerous falkland islands) and mostly even dress bloody civvi (bright red jackets; rank tabs and head dress optional).
The only thing left to make civvi is the paperwork. Save those who still have a sense of miltary purpose and employ them effecively in a deployable role i say. Scrap the rest.
If you dont relish the prospect of visiting a battlefield in the near future hang up your helmet and sign a differet contract.
There's plenty of skill in this line of work but virtually no sense of service.
I have had the unfortunate opportunity to come across.I have many friends on both sides of the rotary house, all of which work extremely hard in challenging conditions, all of which have "Sense of Duty" in bucket loads.
You may wish to engage brain before tapping on keyboard in future, for I feel it is people like yourself that bring this forum into disrepute.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Matt,
The SARboys do 24 hr shifts. Take shift 0930/1000 and hold 15 min stby until 2200, then drop to 45 min stby until 0800 when they resume 15 mins until the next crew come on.
During the 45 min stby you are able to sleep, however, you may be called at any time. It is also not uncommon to get called at 2200 for an 8 hr job (long ranger off the W Coast of Eire), finishing at 0600, therefore flying whilst being up for nearly 24 hrs.
Sense of duty?
The SARboys do 24 hr shifts. Take shift 0930/1000 and hold 15 min stby until 2200, then drop to 45 min stby until 0800 when they resume 15 mins until the next crew come on.
During the 45 min stby you are able to sleep, however, you may be called at any time. It is also not uncommon to get called at 2200 for an 8 hr job (long ranger off the W Coast of Eire), finishing at 0600, therefore flying whilst being up for nearly 24 hrs.
Sense of duty?
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Monde
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is a winchman at Chivenor who wears slippers when he is on watch !!!! Honestly, no duff, he wears slippers.... !!!!
During the 45 min stby you are able to sleep,
Either that or the howling wind up north always rattled the roof over the bedrooms - so I just pulled my duvet (or whatever else I had to hand
) over my head and hoped that no one would be so stupid to still be on the hills............ {ring, ring} ... Oh Cr#p!!!In my experience, both SH and SAR boys have a certain mutual respect for the DIFFERENT jobs that they do. You cannot tie SH and SAR up with the same piece of string.
Me? I am glad that I am not sitting in the UK with a paramedic qualification, sweating it about getting a possible call to go overseas.
Good luck to you all in SH and SAR - wherever you are and what ever you do - fly safe and be supportive of one another. We are all aircrew, all with a brevet and if we get a cut, we all bleed the same.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I thought that idea had been dismissed over a year ago as it was seen as politically unacceptable to reduce the UK SAR cover to bolster OOA's?
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Exiled in England
Age: 48
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UK Mil sar a waste of time and resources???
Ever been out sailing and the weather goes south big time, I'm talking storm jib and heave to kind of weather. Despite being out in this, being well prepared and trained with the best kit I could afford to buy I was bloody glad they were sat there and were only a mayday call away IF REQUIRED.
What about all the skiers, snowboarders and winter hillwalkers that have been rescued by budgie.
Ever seen the footage of some of their rescues?? The ones way out at sea with big green mountains raoming around??
All this civvy rescue serves a big purpose...........
It keeps the crew sharp if they had to, oh I don't know, fly out and pick up a ditched pilot.
SAR are just as brave as the SH lads and Lasses. Its just a different kind of war
Ever been out sailing and the weather goes south big time, I'm talking storm jib and heave to kind of weather. Despite being out in this, being well prepared and trained with the best kit I could afford to buy I was bloody glad they were sat there and were only a mayday call away IF REQUIRED.
What about all the skiers, snowboarders and winter hillwalkers that have been rescued by budgie.
Ever seen the footage of some of their rescues?? The ones way out at sea with big green mountains raoming around??
All this civvy rescue serves a big purpose...........
It keeps the crew sharp if they had to, oh I don't know, fly out and pick up a ditched pilot.
SAR are just as brave as the SH lads and Lasses. Its just a different kind of war
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Age: 76
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really wonder if SAROperator has ever been anywhere near either a yellow helicopter or a battlefield. I'll just pick up just a couple of his points.
Those in the SAR force had no choice in whether they were deployed to a war zone or not. How well would a Sea King have done in +45c in Bazra, or at a densitiy altitude of >12,000' in Afghanistan anyway?. Maybe the "airships" got that right.
The SAR guys dress in the clothing and equipment that is given to them - which has gradually been proven, over the years, to be the most fit for purpose - nothing to do with being unmilitary!
I was lucky enough to split my service helicopter flying almost equally between yellow helicopters and green ones. Although the "battlefields" at the time were not in the same league as those happening now, I found that both yellow and green helis offered adequate numbers of "brown-trouser" moments. In both you have to demonstrate competence - and commitment to the job - or you will quickly be given other employment.
I also have noticed that those who speak most of "marching towards the sound of gunfire" are the least likely to have actually been there. The quiet ones - who don't rubbish others who do a different job - are more likely to indeed have been there and done it!!
I have total respect for the guys and gals in both the green and yellow helicopters these days; and it p.....es me off to read such rubbish from somebody who clearly does not know what he is talking about.
Those in the SAR force had no choice in whether they were deployed to a war zone or not. How well would a Sea King have done in +45c in Bazra, or at a densitiy altitude of >12,000' in Afghanistan anyway?. Maybe the "airships" got that right.
The SAR guys dress in the clothing and equipment that is given to them - which has gradually been proven, over the years, to be the most fit for purpose - nothing to do with being unmilitary!
I was lucky enough to split my service helicopter flying almost equally between yellow helicopters and green ones. Although the "battlefields" at the time were not in the same league as those happening now, I found that both yellow and green helis offered adequate numbers of "brown-trouser" moments. In both you have to demonstrate competence - and commitment to the job - or you will quickly be given other employment.
I also have noticed that those who speak most of "marching towards the sound of gunfire" are the least likely to have actually been there. The quiet ones - who don't rubbish others who do a different job - are more likely to indeed have been there and done it!!
I have total respect for the guys and gals in both the green and yellow helicopters these days; and it p.....es me off to read such rubbish from somebody who clearly does not know what he is talking about.
What annoys me is the political spin on this story. When questioned the reply was "No call to launch has been refused because of ac unserviceability"
Well, since when cabs go u/s, the RCC is informed, and they are taken off state. So they don't get asked to launch since they know there is no cab to launch. Technically correct answer but totally misleading.
When are we going to get people who will stand up for us as a military and tell the world how it really is, not spin the story to make out everything is ok?!
Well, since when cabs go u/s, the RCC is informed, and they are taken off state. So they don't get asked to launch since they know there is no cab to launch. Technically correct answer but totally misleading.
When are we going to get people who will stand up for us as a military and tell the world how it really is, not spin the story to make out everything is ok?!
