Defence is at a crossroads - The Times
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A Pongo he may once have been but on reading the article, where he says:
"No senior military heads rolled over Iraq, nor is there recognition that the mess into which the defence programme has descended is at least in part to do with poor military judgment. "
and
"But although ministers, with their civil servants, decide the priorities (though they have singularly failed to take those decisions these past ten years), they are advised by uniformed officers in the MoD."
and
"In evidence to the Chilcot inquiry, Lieutenant-General Sir Freddie Viggers spoke of “amateurism” among ministers and officials in the planning for the Iraq war. But was there not amateurism among the men in uniform? Some of the evidence to Chilcot does not give an impression, in the run-up to war, of the incisiveness and grip expected of senior officers. Everything seemed to depend on events going one way only, as if hope were a principle of war. That unwillingness by some of the top brass to confront inconvenient truths looks all of a piece with the unwillingness these past ten years to face the facts of a decreasing defence budget and the eye-watering growth in the cost of big equipment projects, let alone the changing requirements of modern conflict. Without crystal clear advice and a sense of priorities, we get short-termism and suffer unnecessary casualties — just as we are now seeing."
I have to concede that he has a point. Its not just the politicos, as abject, visionless and self serving as they are. Our own leadership has led us to this point.
The sign that might just be visible in the distance at the crossroads may well give us the choice between either punching at or below our own weight or spending significantly more. Its about time that our leaders grew a big enough pair, either singularly or collectively and made sure that this choice is as starkly visible to the nation and the political elite as it is indeed to the likes of us. The current path is unsustainable.
"No senior military heads rolled over Iraq, nor is there recognition that the mess into which the defence programme has descended is at least in part to do with poor military judgment. "
and
"But although ministers, with their civil servants, decide the priorities (though they have singularly failed to take those decisions these past ten years), they are advised by uniformed officers in the MoD."
and
"In evidence to the Chilcot inquiry, Lieutenant-General Sir Freddie Viggers spoke of “amateurism” among ministers and officials in the planning for the Iraq war. But was there not amateurism among the men in uniform? Some of the evidence to Chilcot does not give an impression, in the run-up to war, of the incisiveness and grip expected of senior officers. Everything seemed to depend on events going one way only, as if hope were a principle of war. That unwillingness by some of the top brass to confront inconvenient truths looks all of a piece with the unwillingness these past ten years to face the facts of a decreasing defence budget and the eye-watering growth in the cost of big equipment projects, let alone the changing requirements of modern conflict. Without crystal clear advice and a sense of priorities, we get short-termism and suffer unnecessary casualties — just as we are now seeing."
I have to concede that he has a point. Its not just the politicos, as abject, visionless and self serving as they are. Our own leadership has led us to this point.
The sign that might just be visible in the distance at the crossroads may well give us the choice between either punching at or below our own weight or spending significantly more. Its about time that our leaders grew a big enough pair, either singularly or collectively and made sure that this choice is as starkly visible to the nation and the political elite as it is indeed to the likes of us. The current path is unsustainable.
MoD to slash jet fighter orders as it struggles to save aircraft programme | UK news | The Guardian
...and so the picture darkens - we need a good inter-state spat some place in the world to raise these so called 'leaders' from their slumber.
Last one out turn off the lights.......
...and so the picture darkens - we need a good inter-state spat some place in the world to raise these so called 'leaders' from their slumber.
Last one out turn off the lights.......
On a slightly less serious note, it did make me chuckle reading about the fast jet flying club. In my experience the only part of the air force that operates like a flying club is the Chinook world (in the UK at least). The normal plan is for the front-enders(MGD please note) to rock up, see what cab's available whilst hoping that the crewman has sorted their lives out for them and then go flying. Somewhere.....
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How about we use that island they tested anthrax on?
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One would think that they are pretty impervious to most IEDs and would be useful in the convoy escort role at least, despite their slowness.
Disclaimer - so I'm led to believe.
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I do recollect that tanks were pretty useless in Kosovo/Bosnia as well. In fact, short of having another go at Rommell in N. Africa or being sacrificed on the N. German Plain, tanks should be melted down and made into more bayonets.
Jumping off my high horse, this article is just typical of the traditional, stove-piped (sorry, I needed at least one buzz word
) inter-service willy-waving. The reality is that the whole military isn't adaptable, has been whittled away to small, specialist elements and it can no longer react to a different threat. So, let's say we re-structure to a COIN type force with lots of helos and increased mobility for small packages of troops; what will we do when the next threat is another Falklands.
One final point, our author seems to have completely neglected to recognise the contribution airborne ISTAR has made/is making. A previous point about a decade or so of overwatch between GWI and GWII is also most valid. Unfortunately, the crap that has been regurgitated in the Times will be believed.
Jumping off my high horse, this article is just typical of the traditional, stove-piped (sorry, I needed at least one buzz word
) inter-service willy-waving. The reality is that the whole military isn't adaptable, has been whittled away to small, specialist elements and it can no longer react to a different threat. So, let's say we re-structure to a COIN type force with lots of helos and increased mobility for small packages of troops; what will we do when the next threat is another Falklands.One final point, our author seems to have completely neglected to recognise the contribution airborne ISTAR has made/is making. A previous point about a decade or so of overwatch between GWI and GWII is also most valid. Unfortunately, the crap that has been regurgitated in the Times will be believed.
The normal plan is for the front-enders(MGD please note) to rock up, see what cab's available whilst hoping that the crewman has sorted their lives out for them and then go flying. Somewhere.....
At least we have another name to think of when describing a 'brown army biased', know-nothing ****wit (that **** is 'half', of course), and don't have to compare all such to$$ers to that @rse, Lewis Page.
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How about we use that island they tested anthrax on?
Sadly, Gruinard Island is now clear of Anthrax and has been declared safe. I landed on it a couple of years ago during a dull moment in a JMC (Or whatever they call it nowadays)
Overview of Garvie Island
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Jabba - thanks for your post - having singular failed to get to read Mallinson's full article my previous comments were entirley in response to the posts on here. He does have some good points there and its a shame he spoilt it with such crass and infantile land centric remarks on other matters. My experience in and working with MoD suggested that too many senior military were happy to go native to ensure career success rather than do the job they were sent in to a Ministry for ie clearly representing the military! The MoD is privileged in being the only Dept of State that has the "workers" working alongside civ servants and ministers - it appears we often forget that and suffer as a result. You would like to think that the emerging generation of 1 and 2 stars who are now truely combat proven would bring with them a differing and revitalised approach as there forebears did during WW2 and immediately afterwards - but I fear not. Especially as the way things are going there will not be much air power left to argue about!
Cheers
Cheers
Last edited by Tallsar; 14th Jan 2010 at 18:19.
Mallinson was the CO of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars many years ago. He earned the name......
'Mad Mal'
He had the regt doing BFTs and CFTs wearing the S6! and that was just the start!
'Mad Mal'
He had the regt doing BFTs and CFTs wearing the S6! and that was just the start!
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He had the regt doing BFTs and CFTs wearing the S6! and that was just the start!
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Daniel Kawczynski MP.
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Could I be radical and offer a potential scenario
Iraq is now off the political agenda
Give it two years and economic reality will set in and we will withdraw from AFG. Far fetched I know.................
So returning to Air Power 101
Rule No 1. Defend the Home Base
Task No 1 of a campaign. Establish Air Superiority over the battlefield
Task No 2. Police the AOR
Task No 3. Defend the LOCs
Task No 4.................... Well, let's leave this speculation to campaign planners
Now lets just consider what we may need to cover those tasks as an Air Force. I suspect Typhoon may have a long term future in this role.
Lets not lose sight of the reason we are an Air Force and lets not allow the Army to talk us out of what we should be planning for. We have politicians to do that.
And I won't offer any observations that we appear to have insufficient cash to fund a small scale intervention at what used to be considered Squadron strength.
Now maybe the leadership hasn't actually been blinded by short-termism....
And before anyone says it; I'm not decrying the invaluable contribution of all the combat support forces who do miracles with worn out kit. Heroes to a man/woman.
Iraq is now off the political agenda
Give it two years and economic reality will set in and we will withdraw from AFG. Far fetched I know.................
So returning to Air Power 101
Rule No 1. Defend the Home Base
Task No 1 of a campaign. Establish Air Superiority over the battlefield
Task No 2. Police the AOR
Task No 3. Defend the LOCs
Task No 4.................... Well, let's leave this speculation to campaign planners
Now lets just consider what we may need to cover those tasks as an Air Force. I suspect Typhoon may have a long term future in this role.
Lets not lose sight of the reason we are an Air Force and lets not allow the Army to talk us out of what we should be planning for. We have politicians to do that.
And I won't offer any observations that we appear to have insufficient cash to fund a small scale intervention at what used to be considered Squadron strength.
Now maybe the leadership hasn't actually been blinded by short-termism....
And before anyone says it; I'm not decrying the invaluable contribution of all the combat support forces who do miracles with worn out kit. Heroes to a man/woman.
Last edited by Geehovah; 14th Jan 2010 at 19:57.
Brigadier Allan Mallinson was a serving cavalry officer. Besides the Matthew Hervey series, he is the author of Light Dragoons, a history of four regiments of British Cavalry, one of which he commanded, and a regular reviewer for The Times and the Spectator.
1. A Close Run Thing: A Novel of Wellington's Army of 1815 (1999)
2. The Nizam's Daughters (2000)
3. A Regimental Affair (2001)
4. A Call to Arms (2002)
5. The Sabre's Edge (2003)
6. Rumours of War (2004)
7. An Act of Courage (2005)
8. Company of Spears (2006)
9. Man of War (2007)
10. Warrior (2008)
Honorable Company: A Novel of India Before the Raj (2000)
11. Light Dragoons: The Origins of a New Regiment (1993)
12. The Making of the British Army (2009)
Here's a few of his book covers:
A "true expert" as long as Joint Service means Napoleonic Cavalry or British Army history! Why on earth does the Times listen to this Bozo's ramblings???
PS. Here's a list of recent articles - the man has a serious chip on his shoulder (maybe he was chopped by the Army Air Corps? 
).
ARTICLES
Would a soldier serving on the Chilcot committee be ruthless enough?
- The Times
We are now fighting in Afghanistan without enough helicopters and without enough men - The Telegraph
Our hard-pressed Army must have more manpower to win the war against new enemies - Yorkshire Post
“A question of trust at the heart of the Ministry of Defence'” - The Telegraph
The Army is too small to fight all of the battles facing Britain - The Telegraph
“A question of trust at the heart of the Ministry of Defence'” - The Telegraph
“Gordon Brown must stop shying away from the word 'war'” - The Telegraph
“Helmand: The more troops you use, the less you lose” - The Telegraph
Gordon Brown must put 'boots on the ground' in Afghanistan” - The Telegraph
“War has changed. We need men on the ground, not aircraft carriers” - The Times
“The Gamble: General Petraeus and the Untold Story of the American Surge in Iraq, 2006-2008 by Thomas E.Ricks” - The Times (book review)
“Afghanistan: it will be tougher than we think” - The Times
“Our armies are marching out of step” - The Times
“We must rebuild a military base in the US” - The Times
“Should Sir Richard Dannatt be made Chief of Defence Staff?” - BBC Audio Discussion
“Sir Richard Dannatt has done Gordon Brown a great service” - The Telegraph
“To win Iraq war, we must fight properly” - The Telegraph
“Does Britain want an independent RAF?” - The Telegraph
“Prince Harry can look every soldier in the eye” - The Telegraph
“How Britain can respect our Servicemen” - The Telegraph
“Basra has seared the British Army's soul” - The Telegraph
“Gordon Brown's hollow seasonal greetings” - The Telegraph
“PM's foreign evasion is highly dangerous” - The Telegraph
“This silence on the Army speaks volumes” - The Telegraph
“Patience is the key to General Petraeus's surge” - The Telegraph
“Allied rivalry isn't new, but we need each other ” - The Telegraph
“How much longer can the army fight?” - The Telegraph
“We must fight a battle we can win” - The Telegraph
“Harsh questions for defence ministers” - The Telegraph
“Tories should spend serious money on defence” - The Telegraph
“Cash for sailors just another symptom of rot in the MOD” - The Telegraph
“What the Army must learn from Iraq” - The Telegraph
“A disturbing case for over-stretched Army” - The Telegraph
“Ministers cannot gag the generals” - The Telegraph
“The army needs 10,000 more men” - The Telegraph
).ARTICLES
Would a soldier serving on the Chilcot committee be ruthless enough?
- The Times
We are now fighting in Afghanistan without enough helicopters and without enough men - The Telegraph
Our hard-pressed Army must have more manpower to win the war against new enemies - Yorkshire Post
“A question of trust at the heart of the Ministry of Defence'” - The Telegraph
The Army is too small to fight all of the battles facing Britain - The Telegraph
“A question of trust at the heart of the Ministry of Defence'” - The Telegraph
“Gordon Brown must stop shying away from the word 'war'” - The Telegraph
“Helmand: The more troops you use, the less you lose” - The Telegraph
Gordon Brown must put 'boots on the ground' in Afghanistan” - The Telegraph
“War has changed. We need men on the ground, not aircraft carriers” - The Times
“The Gamble: General Petraeus and the Untold Story of the American Surge in Iraq, 2006-2008 by Thomas E.Ricks” - The Times (book review)
“Afghanistan: it will be tougher than we think” - The Times
“Our armies are marching out of step” - The Times
“We must rebuild a military base in the US” - The Times
“Should Sir Richard Dannatt be made Chief of Defence Staff?” - BBC Audio Discussion
“Sir Richard Dannatt has done Gordon Brown a great service” - The Telegraph
“To win Iraq war, we must fight properly” - The Telegraph
“Does Britain want an independent RAF?” - The Telegraph
“Prince Harry can look every soldier in the eye” - The Telegraph
“How Britain can respect our Servicemen” - The Telegraph
“Basra has seared the British Army's soul” - The Telegraph
“Gordon Brown's hollow seasonal greetings” - The Telegraph
“PM's foreign evasion is highly dangerous” - The Telegraph
“This silence on the Army speaks volumes” - The Telegraph
“Patience is the key to General Petraeus's surge” - The Telegraph
“Allied rivalry isn't new, but we need each other ” - The Telegraph
“How much longer can the army fight?” - The Telegraph
“We must fight a battle we can win” - The Telegraph
“Harsh questions for defence ministers” - The Telegraph
“Tories should spend serious money on defence” - The Telegraph
“Cash for sailors just another symptom of rot in the MOD” - The Telegraph
“What the Army must learn from Iraq” - The Telegraph
“A disturbing case for over-stretched Army” - The Telegraph
“Ministers cannot gag the generals” - The Telegraph
“The army needs 10,000 more men” - The Telegraph
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Has this chap Mallinson confessed as to what his shortcomings were that precluded him making it to Major General rank, or even a real Brigadier ?
Anybody know one or two of his former superiors at the higher level, a general perhaps who could be persuaded to comment here on the chap's annual appraisal reports which 'doomed his further promotion prospects ? Someone MUST have identified that AM had clearly reached his ceiling in the competence stakes and written him up accordingly, otherwise he would have 'stars' on a red plate on his Fiat Punto or whatever he drives.
Something is seriously affecting his thought process, has he PTSD perhaps after his exursions in NI or Balkans ?
Someone once said that a Defence Attache job was for those 'not quite up to the mark' for demanding real military assignments, and it was a last chance to redeem themselves before going off to tend roses. Permanently!
Perhaps we should feel sorry for the dear fellow ?
Anybody know one or two of his former superiors at the higher level, a general perhaps who could be persuaded to comment here on the chap's annual appraisal reports which 'doomed his further promotion prospects ? Someone MUST have identified that AM had clearly reached his ceiling in the competence stakes and written him up accordingly, otherwise he would have 'stars' on a red plate on his Fiat Punto or whatever he drives.
Something is seriously affecting his thought process, has he PTSD perhaps after his exursions in NI or Balkans ?
Someone once said that a Defence Attache job was for those 'not quite up to the mark' for demanding real military assignments, and it was a last chance to redeem themselves before going off to tend roses. Permanently!
Perhaps we should feel sorry for the dear fellow ?
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still, as long as we never have to go to war against another "fast jet flying club", i guess everything will be ok.
damn unsporting of some countries to carry on with the misguided notion of a "fast jet" club.
how much easier would the falkland's war have been if the pesky argies had played the game and only used choppers!!!
damn unsporting of some countries to carry on with the misguided notion of a "fast jet" club.
how much easier would the falkland's war have been if the pesky argies had played the game and only used choppers!!!