Space Operation Coordination Centre - Sky News
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Beagle - a badge for every uniform isn't needed for us to know who the aircrew are. Honestly. We can tell. There are other 'combat indicators' that are rather obvious to any casual observer.
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They are derisively called "spwings" in the USAF. Nearly universally loathed by those in and out of US Space Command who deal with anything aviation related, they were the brainchild of Gen Lance Lord, a career missileer and space guy, one of the few to make four stars without being a pilot/nav.
For a very brief time, spwings took the place of the missile badge whether you wanted it to or not. Fortunately, that particular affectation didn't last long.
For those of us who served a medium length felony tour under North Dakota, et al, the 'pocket rocket' was worn with a sense of perverse pride.
I did not know that spwings were awarded to other nations' services. Interesting.
I agree with the 'everyone isn't necessarily special' comment earlier, but I do wonder why no one is commenting on the pens in the shirt pocket. Unprofessional looking at best, pocket protector-ish at worse...
Perhaps someone could bring up the SHAR or the Vulcan now?
For a very brief time, spwings took the place of the missile badge whether you wanted it to or not. Fortunately, that particular affectation didn't last long.
For those of us who served a medium length felony tour under North Dakota, et al, the 'pocket rocket' was worn with a sense of perverse pride.
I did not know that spwings were awarded to other nations' services. Interesting.
I agree with the 'everyone isn't necessarily special' comment earlier, but I do wonder why no one is commenting on the pens in the shirt pocket. Unprofessional looking at best, pocket protector-ish at worse...
Perhaps someone could bring up the SHAR or the Vulcan now?
For a second I thought UK activities in space were being expanded - perhaps as discuused here: Satellite reconnaissance for the UK? ?
Or the Space Review: Future British military space policy
Perhaps someone could bring up the SHAR or the Vulcan now?
If you insist. This link takes you where some people mention a possible system to launch a rocket from a Vulcan and place a small satellite in Low Earth Orbit.
There are now proposals to develop a Rafale based launcher for small satellites. See here. I wonder if the UK could do the same with Typhoon?
Isn't Orbital Mechanics interesting?
Well, you did ask...
PS A certain US based contributor seems to keep suggesting that satellite survellience by space based radars renders large surface ships obsolete. Whilst they cannot be moved out of the way, decoys could be used to counter this type of survellience.
Or the Space Review: Future British military space policy
Perhaps someone could bring up the SHAR or the Vulcan now?
If you insist. This link takes you where some people mention a possible system to launch a rocket from a Vulcan and place a small satellite in Low Earth Orbit.
There are now proposals to develop a Rafale based launcher for small satellites. See here. I wonder if the UK could do the same with Typhoon?
Isn't Orbital Mechanics interesting?
Well, you did ask...
PS A certain US based contributor seems to keep suggesting that satellite survellience by space based radars renders large surface ships obsolete. Whilst they cannot be moved out of the way, decoys could be used to counter this type of survellience.
Last edited by WE Branch Fanatic; 29th Dec 2008 at 18:39.
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I wonder which countries they're trying to get a point across to. China? Russia? Pakistan?
glad rag
Averaging over 20 posts per day & still nothing of substance to say...
BEagle
Were you operational on combat capable fast jets? I thought VC10's were more your forte...
glad rag
Averaging over 20 posts per day & still nothing of substance to say...
BEagle
Were you operational on combat capable fast jets? I thought VC10's were more your forte...
JMF at Brawdy used to have a similar set up with some RAF personnel wearing U.S. Navy metal badges. I don't know if they were officially sanctioned.
Brickhistory,
These days the left hand shirt pocket has a built in pen holder.
Brickhistory,
These days the left hand shirt pocket has a built in pen holder.
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WEBF, well played.
Regarding space-based satellite radar surveillance, that's another holy grail that the USAF (among others) has been shoveling money at. Including the idea of an AEW-like ISR platform.
Not a lot to show for it as of yet.
Oh, not much is mentioned about what happens when another space-capable country decides to put one's 'eyes out' with a small, but rapidly moving piece of metal.
I think the large ships carrying quaint jets idea still has some life to live.
Regarding space-based satellite radar surveillance, that's another holy grail that the USAF (among others) has been shoveling money at. Including the idea of an AEW-like ISR platform.
Not a lot to show for it as of yet.
Oh, not much is mentioned about what happens when another space-capable country decides to put one's 'eyes out' with a small, but rapidly moving piece of metal.
I think the large ships carrying quaint jets idea still has some life to live.
To me, it is the timing of the news release, and whom the real intended audience may be, that are equally interesting.
Last edited by HaveQuick2; 29th Dec 2008 at 19:07. Reason: V poor spelling
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Not a SHAR, but frequently next to a Vulcan...
The badge is much the same.
I was always taught that a gentleman never placed a pen, particularly of the ballpoint kind, in his breast pocket lest he be mistaken for the Man From The Pru.
The badge is much the same.
I was always taught that a gentleman never placed a pen, particularly of the ballpoint kind, in his breast pocket lest he be mistaken for the Man From The Pru.
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I am a FC (ABM will never stick!) & have to say that the badge is a load of tosh. Not a fan of it at all.
The Brevet the E3 guys were is a different issue & is, IMHO, earned however, unlike the RAAF FCs we only get it if we are/have been employed on the jet. This includes TG12 personnel who do not actually fall under the FC umbrella but who are mission crew none the less.
Incidentely, I saw a photo of a guy wearing his FC brevet on his desert fatigues in Afghan a few days ago. Probably the only guy in theatre wearing one & certainly not doing the branch any favours by doing so...
The Brevet the E3 guys were is a different issue & is, IMHO, earned however, unlike the RAAF FCs we only get it if we are/have been employed on the jet. This includes TG12 personnel who do not actually fall under the FC umbrella but who are mission crew none the less.
Incidentely, I saw a photo of a guy wearing his FC brevet on his desert fatigues in Afghan a few days ago. Probably the only guy in theatre wearing one & certainly not doing the branch any favours by doing so...
Last edited by Pure Pursuit; 30th Dec 2008 at 14:01.
You'd be amazed the number of rotary aircrew who give dress regs a stiff ignoring by wearing brevets on CS95 - not that I want this to set off a come back of the anti-torpy thread from a while back.
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The nice man wearing combats who appears on the targets at the rifle range has a nice white aimimg point on his chest. If some FCs (or other silly people) also wish to add an aiming point on their chests and therefore give the shooter a better target than aimimg at me, then I'm all for it! I always thought that the FC brevet must have some use..... Perhaps they should have been given the TG12 "AT" badge for Aircrew Target?
Reminds me of a conversation that I had with a member of Stn Regt Flt many years ago who insisted that everybody put a strip of white tape on the front of their NBC Kit (the days before sniper tape).
I always thought that the FC brevet must have some use..... Perhaps they should have been given the TG12 "AT" badge for Aircrew Target?Reminds me of a conversation that I had with a member of Stn Regt Flt many years ago who insisted that everybody put a strip of white tape on the front of their NBC Kit (the days before sniper tape).
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Brickhistory is correct about the US Space Badge. It's also been known as Buzz Lightyear wings since they're almost identical to those on the cartoon character. It was a feeble attempt to make the space professionals more important by making them look more like pilots. Many that I worked with disliked the pilot similarity because they take pride in what they do and don't feel the need to be associated with someone else for respect.
The most likely reason he's wearing the foreign badge is that he's earned it. RAF Flyingdale functions as an integral part of the 21st Space Wing, at least according to the 21st. Look at the list of subordinate units on this page: Peterson Air Force Base - Units It takes a careful inspection to find that only one token American is actually part of the 21 SW.
It looks like the only downside to the cooperation between air forces is the sharing of excessive uniform trinkets, making the British look almost as bad as us.
The most likely reason he's wearing the foreign badge is that he's earned it. RAF Flyingdale functions as an integral part of the 21st Space Wing, at least according to the 21st. Look at the list of subordinate units on this page: Peterson Air Force Base - Units It takes a careful inspection to find that only one token American is actually part of the 21 SW.
It looks like the only downside to the cooperation between air forces is the sharing of excessive uniform trinkets, making the British look almost as bad as us.
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Whilst they cannot be moved out of the way, decoys could be used to counter this type of survellience.
Not unless the decoys cut a wake indistinguishable from a large ship's wake. A warship designed for low observability can be difficult for long range radar to detect if it isn't moving fast enough to create much wake.
Not a lot to show for it as of yet.
Behind with respect to deployment, yes.
Not unless the decoys cut a wake indistinguishable from a large ship's wake. A warship designed for low observability can be difficult for long range radar to detect if it isn't moving fast enough to create much wake.
Not a lot to show for it as of yet.
Behind with respect to deployment, yes.
Not entirely sure why this was on the news, surely not a capability that we want to be advertising to all and sundry. And if it was intended as a message, then those potentially hostile states capable of operating a space based surveillance capability will probably already be aware of CMs as part of their SOPs, so why the need to send a message?
However, I did rather like the Gp Capt's statement about not wanting to be taken by suprise at a time not necessarily convenient to us. Hmmm - isn't that the whole point of suprises
However, I did rather like the Gp Capt's statement about not wanting to be taken by suprise at a time not necessarily convenient to us. Hmmm - isn't that the whole point of suprises