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Prince William flies C-17 to Afghanistan

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Prince William flies C-17 to Afghanistan

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Old 30th Apr 2008, 05:07
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Prince William flies C-17 to Afghanistan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7374589.stm



If I knew it was that easy after just a few months (heck, my basic training was longer), then I'd have done it! Cynical souls on the BBC are suggesting this is all a PR counter strike.

Perish the thought.
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 06:41
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There's a huge difference between flying an aircraft and operating an aircraft but of course none of the news stories seem to pick up on this. I wonder what the general public think of long and expensive regular RAF flying training when it can "obviously" be done in only a couple of months!
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 06:49
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The prince, 25, who received his RAF pilot's wings earlier this month, flew a military transport plane for part of the journey from the UK to Kandahar.
I've done that, and I don't have any wings!!!!!!!!
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 07:05
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Damned if he does, damned if he don't.
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 07:09
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Not ANOTHER C-17 in the news surely?
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 07:22
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Stuff said:
There's a huge difference between flying an aircraft and operating an aircraft but of course none of the news stories seem to pick up on this. I wonder what the general public think of long and expensive regular RAF flying training when it can "obviously" be done in only a couple of months!
I've just been checking back through my diary. I see that during basic training, we were once given a free weekend during the first field firing package because of flooding on the Moors. Rather than have us loaf about kicking our heels, couldn't they have put us through the Loadmaster course?
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 07:37
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Pongos on arrse are fawning madly. Gawd Bless You Sire and all of that.

Wonder if the forces around the "media op doughnut" will be any more genuinely pleased compared to when politicians were there.
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:00
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Rather than have us loaf about kicking our heels, couldn't they have put us through the Loadmaster course?
So that would have filled in the Saturday with a lie in on the Sunday.
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:04
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Sky News are reporting that it was First Officer Wales that flew to Afghanistan. Did he manage to get a 3 day ATPL course too?

Hope he's not taking me on my holidays this year!
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:22
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Another thread and a couple more post's, keep them coming chap as the 1000 in under a year is a racing cert now
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:30
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Hardly! I'd have fitted in whatever it is that Seldom does.

Rather than have us loaf about kicking our heels, couldn't they have put us through the Loadmaster course? Al
So that would have filled in the Saturday with a lie in on the Sunday. Echo
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:34
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Wink

Seldom said;

Another thread and a couple more post's, keep them coming chap as the 1000 in under a year is a racing cert now
Aw, cheers mate, not long now eh? We can have a party, are you free to do the stewarding bit?
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:41
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Rumour has it that Flt Lt Wales DFC will be flying Harriers on offensive ops in Helmand this weekend.







I started the rumour, but what the heck. It could happen. Couldn't it?
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 08:45
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Seldom - When Loadmasters do ground tours do they become Kitchen Supervisors, Mess Managers or moonlight with Pickfords?
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 09:31
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Blakey,

Wouldn't know as apart from the 14 years as a techie I have never done a ground tour as an ALM but will be starting one in a short while.

However why not have a look at the following site which will hopefully help answer your question

http://www.mod-abc.co.uk/

Select pension calculator and then Input the following

RAF, MACr, 01/09/1957, 01/09/1974, 01,09,2012, AFPS 05, No, Yes, Professional Aviator, 01/04/2004, MACr, MACr, Level 20 salary 58467

Check the results and ask me if when I leave in a few years time will I

a. be like our ex gunner and feel the need to post in here every 5 minutes as I obviously have nothing better to do with my life

b. retire, travel, see the world and have a bloody good time in my retirement.

Whilst I accept that ex service folk are more than welcome in here I think that apart from the odd glance I will certainly be leaving this website for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.

Edited to state the dates given are fictitious but close enough to the truth and for Al, select option b
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 12:11
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Prince William flies C-17 to Afghanistan

Didn't know Afghanistan was a popular location for:

1. Stag-nights out
2. European weddings
3. and am surprised that his girlfriend has a country house out there

So if we ignore past precedent and the the three options above, what was the reason for the flight?
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 12:17
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Rumour has it that Flt Lt Wales DFC will be flying Harriers on offensive ops in Helmand this weekend

Nice one ... but keep an eye open for any additions to his Golden Jubilee Medal!

Jack
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 12:48
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Crikey, it must be a really boring week for this to be a topic of conversation.
 
Old 30th Apr 2008, 12:51
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I love Seldom's MO... He comes in, snipes at someone and, when they respond, he tells them how he's retiring soon and he's going to be rich on a military pension.

Seldom, do everyone here a favor and take your misplaced superiority and file it between your obvious insecurity and your blatant misunderstanding of real life... You'll need to keep working to supplement your pension before your income impresses anyone because we are all well aware of how limited your earning potential really is in the military... That's exactly why we left in the first place...
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Old 30th Apr 2008, 13:06
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Fixed wing? Rotary? Now multi-engine? HRH had better not go near any Kryptonite.
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