Best buddies with France now?
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I'm always a bit reluctant to quote wikipedia but this artice would infer that whilst the Argentinians tried to get hold of additional missles, they were unsuccessful. I think the story about the French comes from one of the good old redtop tabloids.
Exocet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Exocet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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CAZATOU MOGGIEE and TEEEJ,
I bow my head in defeat,your superiour, knowledge has me at a distinct disadvantag
I bow my head in defeat,your superiour, knowledge has me at a distinct disadvantag
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Good AT
148 of us got trooped to DMA Arizona two years ago by the French Air Force in a relatively modern Airbus from Stansted via Montreal. The trip was excellent, three main course meals with wine plus snacks on demand. The staff were well trained, motivated, and worked hard to ensure the trip was comfortable. The senior air hostess rather than spending the whole trip reconciling the imprest account and making sure all allowances had been claimed bustled around dispensing good will and bonhomie. The arrival was bang on time without even a hint of bust crew duty hours or unservicabilities. Given the choice......
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The point that many seem to be missing here it that Great Britain, once the most powerful nation in the world, is now relying on another nation for their defence. A nation that, whether you are a "Modern European" or not, is a historic enemy.
What happened to our once great nation?
What happened to our once great nation?
Don't forget the leaks to Serbia in the run-up to Kosovo:
BBC News | Europe | French officer 'spied for Serbs'
I know that we had our own security issue recently with a dodgy interpreter. It was nothing compared with a general leaking the whole target list, though!
Despite the public support for the treaty from Washington, I wonder how the Americans will feel about F-35C landing on the Charles de Gaulle? This will be more grist to the mill in the source code transfer argument.
BBC News | Europe | French officer 'spied for Serbs'
I know that we had our own security issue recently with a dodgy interpreter. It was nothing compared with a general leaking the whole target list, though!
Despite the public support for the treaty from Washington, I wonder how the Americans will feel about F-35C landing on the Charles de Gaulle? This will be more grist to the mill in the source code transfer argument.
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Gunbus, whilst the last apology of a government might have screwed us, its this apology of a government that has sold us out, without asking us or telling us, even the day before, let alone when we had an opportunity to evaluate and vote on it at the election!
If it was Liebour or the Limp Dims doing this, I wouldn't have been overly surprised, but the CONservatives? I bet 90% of the Tory party wouldn't have voted for that one...
If it was Liebour or the Limp Dims doing this, I wouldn't have been overly surprised, but the CONservatives? I bet 90% of the Tory party wouldn't have voted for that one...
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In the days before in-flight refueling the RAF operated what was effectively a Staging Post, under the title of the Royal Air Force Liaison Party at Base Aerienne 125 Istres and from April 1958 at Base Aerienne 115 Orange-Caritat.
The RAF and the l'Armie de l'Air worked well together and played well together.
We also ate well together in their mess.
I know, because I was there.
The best year of my 13 years service.
The RAF and the l'Armie de l'Air worked well together and played well together.
We also ate well together in their mess.
I know, because I was there.
The best year of my 13 years service.
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Different Strokes
Surely bidets must be standard fittings on French warships and the major question must be will the British ever come to terms with using the bidet except to wash their socks in?
Standards appear to have slipped in the Armée de l'Air these days - I visited them earlier in the year and was disturbed to note that wine was no longer on the Mess tables at lunch time.
It seems that they too have their share of fun-detectors. Dommage!
It seems that they too have their share of fun-detectors. Dommage!
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That reminds me of diverting into Istres en-route Honington to Deci in '77. My back-seater's O2 hose unknowingly became disconnected, and he became severly anoxic. After landing, the frogs whipped him into sick bay, whilst I was left to turn the aircraft round. That done, I thought I'd better go and see how C-S was doing. Should I have worried - there he was, propped up in bed, supping a nice glass of vin rouge. Well revived, we were then taken to the frog mess for a tasty lunch, washed down with another couple of bottles of the stuff. An hour or so later, we took off and departed low level across the ogg to Sardinia. Way to go!!
How he then almost killed me a few days later with an empty gas bottle on introducing me to Scuba diving is another story.
How he then almost killed me a few days later with an empty gas bottle on introducing me to Scuba diving is another story.
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"Don't forget the leaks to Serbia in the run-up to Kosovo"
There was also the rumour going around the CAOC at Vicensa that copies of the ATO were getting into Serb hands, via the Frech LO's.
3P
3P
I suppose that means their government will demand we surrender as soon as the fighting starts, especially if Paris may be damaged, and all the gallant French military will congregate on English soil again (very welcome too) and those brave souls who cannot get away to fight will set up resistance cells.
The French are very good at sinking defenceless Greenpeace ships and braeking sanctions in order to sell arms but let's hope their government will show more backbone if a genuine shooting war starts again.
I really admire the French people, I have worked with their military and with civilians in airline life, it's their governments I don't trust.
Doc C
The French are very good at sinking defenceless Greenpeace ships and braeking sanctions in order to sell arms but let's hope their government will show more backbone if a genuine shooting war starts again.
I really admire the French people, I have worked with their military and with civilians in airline life, it's their governments I don't trust.
Doc C
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As a former military man who has worked with the French (and enjoyed the experience):
The last war with the French was nearly two hundred years ago. We have had almost continuous treaties and co-operation since then (Crimean War onwards). Britannia can't afford to rule anything on our own and have not been able to for some time. Pooling some resources and sharing technology does not in any way mean we cannot act alone if we want to (though another Falklands type action has been beyond our capability for many years already). Sierra Leone type intervention will continue to be within our capabilities. It does however mean we can save some money that can be used elsewhere for other (possibly) more important military capabilities.
As regards language - previously English has been used as the "operational language" (just like in aviation) - so lucky us, although there is no reason why we can't learn some French.
The French are our most logical choice of ally (and likely a more equal relationship than with the U.S.) Our military has been hollowed out (like a rotten log) for many decades now - tough decisions needed to be made, instead of burying our heads in the sand whilst waving our flag patriotically.
The last war with the French was nearly two hundred years ago. We have had almost continuous treaties and co-operation since then (Crimean War onwards). Britannia can't afford to rule anything on our own and have not been able to for some time. Pooling some resources and sharing technology does not in any way mean we cannot act alone if we want to (though another Falklands type action has been beyond our capability for many years already). Sierra Leone type intervention will continue to be within our capabilities. It does however mean we can save some money that can be used elsewhere for other (possibly) more important military capabilities.
As regards language - previously English has been used as the "operational language" (just like in aviation) - so lucky us, although there is no reason why we can't learn some French.
The French are our most logical choice of ally (and likely a more equal relationship than with the U.S.) Our military has been hollowed out (like a rotten log) for many decades now - tough decisions needed to be made, instead of burying our heads in the sand whilst waving our flag patriotically.
More bang for your buck
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This is not a first, during the first world war we used the Japanese navy to protect shipping around Australia and New Zealand.
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Have I got news for you
On HIGNFY last week same wag said, "going to war with wth the French was like going duck hunting with an accordian" I thought that was quite funny.