Mission Systems Officer/Operator FSTA
iR,
I don't want to start an arguement, but I believe you are wrong. A couple of points:
1) The RN still has a requirement for Observers, and is continuing to recruit and train. In terms of training, the Jetstreams previously used by the RN in this role are being/have been (I'm not RN, so not fully in the loop) retired, and will be replaced by King Airs I believe. This may well be the MFTS contract you refer to - you specifically mentioned Observer workstations.
2) The RAF used to have a requirement for WSOs for several years to come. The MRA4 (2 WSOs per crew) was about to enter service with an expected life of at least 25 years. GR4s were also expected to run on to 2025. Training of a new generation of RAF WSOs was due to take place as part of MFTS, but not for a few years yet, and I wasn't aware that any contracts had yet been signed for this within MFTS (which is a multi stage incremental process). With the demise of the MRA4, and GR4 retirement by about 2018, the RAF no longer has any long term need for WSOs. Recruitment has stopped, the branch is no longer mentioned in any recruitment literature, the Dominie has been retired, and I don't see the RAF resurrecting it in years to come.
The precident has already been set. There is no AEng school any more, but we still have AEngs flying on E-3Ds for many years to come. If the RAF does need any rearcrew commissioned "operators" in years to come no doubt they will cobble together some training package for the handful required - perhaps they will start by doing RN Observer training......?!
I don't want to start an arguement, but I believe you are wrong. A couple of points:
1) The RN still has a requirement for Observers, and is continuing to recruit and train. In terms of training, the Jetstreams previously used by the RN in this role are being/have been (I'm not RN, so not fully in the loop) retired, and will be replaced by King Airs I believe. This may well be the MFTS contract you refer to - you specifically mentioned Observer workstations.
2) The RAF used to have a requirement for WSOs for several years to come. The MRA4 (2 WSOs per crew) was about to enter service with an expected life of at least 25 years. GR4s were also expected to run on to 2025. Training of a new generation of RAF WSOs was due to take place as part of MFTS, but not for a few years yet, and I wasn't aware that any contracts had yet been signed for this within MFTS (which is a multi stage incremental process). With the demise of the MRA4, and GR4 retirement by about 2018, the RAF no longer has any long term need for WSOs. Recruitment has stopped, the branch is no longer mentioned in any recruitment literature, the Dominie has been retired, and I don't see the RAF resurrecting it in years to come.
The precident has already been set. There is no AEng school any more, but we still have AEngs flying on E-3Ds for many years to come. If the RAF does need any rearcrew commissioned "operators" in years to come no doubt they will cobble together some training package for the handful required - perhaps they will start by doing RN Observer training......?!
