Cottesmore to close
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,205
Likes: 276
From: GMT
There is some grade A knobbers posting on this thread. I'll leave it to you all to work out if you fill this category.
The only thing joined up or tri-service about the 3 services at the moment is the level of backbiting and petty manouvering.
If the RN was back to the wall (it would be a first - its normally everyone else when they are about) and had Choice A - bigger impact on another service, or Choice B - bigger impact on their own service, they would take choice A everytime. Thats what the RAF have done in this case. They havent taken the choice to see off the FAA, its just basic survival.
The only thing joined up or tri-service about the 3 services at the moment is the level of backbiting and petty manouvering.
If the RN was back to the wall (it would be a first - its normally everyone else when they are about) and had Choice A - bigger impact on another service, or Choice B - bigger impact on their own service, they would take choice A everytime. Thats what the RAF have done in this case. They havent taken the choice to see off the FAA, its just basic survival.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 1
From: Exiled in England
So PM they guy with your service no and he can decide if you warrant being in the know 
Me, I'd love to know about the options and which did what but I am certain I don't need to know- therefore I will have to wait for the book.
damn
Me, I'd love to know about the options and which did what but I am certain I don't need to know- therefore I will have to wait for the book. damn
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 189
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From: EU Land
GR9 v GR4
5F6B,
Certainly one of the desires expressed by our khaki brethren since '06 was the ability to strafe iot limit collateral damage, while still having a kinetic effect rather than just a SoF. I know GR9 did great things with CRV7, but the ability to do multiple engagements with the 27mm is a point in favour of Tornado. I haven't been back in the dust since GR9 was withdrawn, but with the gun and a second pair of eyes to VID fleeting targets, I'd suggest they're 2 pluses (sp?) for GR4 over GR9.
Cheers,
S.O.
Certainly one of the desires expressed by our khaki brethren since '06 was the ability to strafe iot limit collateral damage, while still having a kinetic effect rather than just a SoF. I know GR9 did great things with CRV7, but the ability to do multiple engagements with the 27mm is a point in favour of Tornado. I haven't been back in the dust since GR9 was withdrawn, but with the gun and a second pair of eyes to VID fleeting targets, I'd suggest they're 2 pluses (sp?) for GR4 over GR9.
Cheers,
S.O.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: UK
I'm not sold on the second set of eyes for VID, or for that matter the 'limit collateral' or 'multiple engagement' with the mauser.
wrt the VID, what circumstances, under what ROE are you talking about?
How many strafes can GR4 actually accomplish with a meaningful burst in each, and is this significantly different than a GR9 armed with CRV7? When was there ever a collateral issue with CRV7 attacks? How many attacks have we actually needed one after another?
Let's be honest, if ever there was a theoretical argument then this is it. Harrier isn't going back, too much egg on too many faces. Typhoon isn't going. No idea why but if it could it would have. But at the end of the day "The customer's always right". Aircrew and armchair quarterbacks can say what they like - but those of us who've been 'in the wheel' know that it's what the chaps on the ground think that matters.
wrt the VID, what circumstances, under what ROE are you talking about?
How many strafes can GR4 actually accomplish with a meaningful burst in each, and is this significantly different than a GR9 armed with CRV7? When was there ever a collateral issue with CRV7 attacks? How many attacks have we actually needed one after another?
Let's be honest, if ever there was a theoretical argument then this is it. Harrier isn't going back, too much egg on too many faces. Typhoon isn't going. No idea why but if it could it would have. But at the end of the day "The customer's always right". Aircrew and armchair quarterbacks can say what they like - but those of us who've been 'in the wheel' know that it's what the chaps on the ground think that matters.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: London
Why Cottesmore and not Wittering?
Vecvechookattack,
The RAF don't own the land that Wittering stands on, instead it is owned by the Burghley Estate. If we were to close Wittering, then we would be obliged to clear up the land before we give it back to Burghley. Therefore, it is easier and cheaper to close Cottesmore.
The RAF don't own the land that Wittering stands on, instead it is owned by the Burghley Estate. If we were to close Wittering, then we would be obliged to clear up the land before we give it back to Burghley. Therefore, it is easier and cheaper to close Cottesmore.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 238
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From: Overlooking the beach, NZ
There is some grade A knobbers posting on this thread. I'll leave it to you all to work out if you fill this category.
,,,Oh bollox I just remembered the saying 'There is always one **** on every course, and if you think there are none then the **** must be you!'
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 240
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From: 250 ft agl
It shut this morning- Stash sent everyone home- he said it was an early stack due to the snow. Will we have a base to come back to or has the snow been artificially made to entice us out only for the door to be locked shut early???
SMT
SMT
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 529
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From: Outside the EU on a small Island
Don't shoot the messenger ... but I gather from an RN colleague on another Mil Forum that Cottesmore has serious infrastructure problems that would take £MMM to sort out. He expressed his view rather forcefully. Apparently the Sgts Mess had [has] no hot water for 9 months because they haven't got the funds for a new boiler-house.
I also gather from the Pongos that Wittering is a major Logs hub, and is decidedly short on space!
Ideal for a paper exercise by Staff College students, eh?
I also gather from the Pongos that Wittering is a major Logs hub, and is decidedly short on space!
Ideal for a paper exercise by Staff College students, eh?
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Great Britain
You don't need to build anything at WITT -just place both stations under one command and get rid of all the admin and support at COTT. Use COTT hangars and runway as a remote site administered by WITT. Both places will close when JSF arrives anyway as that is going to be based at LOSSIE so there is no point in investing in WITT.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 896
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From: Wellington, New Zealand
Ahhhhh....Cottesmore, 1960...sweet nostalgia. Early morning run around the peri-track, past all those silently menacing Victors, did you know the runway was uphill from the A1 side? The early morning skylarks, besides me that is.. The sheer stunning beauty of the place when all reference points were covered in snow and you had to drive by dead-reckoning; the same method used when returning from the Sun Inn, full of Ruddles best. There was a footpath which crossed a style near the O's Mess, thus avoiding the rozzers on the gate,it took you almost to the Ram Jam Inn... Jonny Johnson sneaking in Crash Gate One because : "I can get to my office before anyone knows I'm there". How things have changed.....