Britain to help the French with Transport
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Britain to help the French with Transport
Britain will provide transport planes to assist the French military operation in Mali, Downing Street has confirmed.
David Cameron spoke with Francois Hollande on Saturday evening as France attempted to contain al-Qaeda linked rebels in the north of the West African country.
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"The Prime Minister has agreed that the UK will provide logistical military assistance to help transport foreign troops and equipment quickly to Mali.
"We will not be deploying any British personnel in a combat role.
David Cameron spoke with Francois Hollande on Saturday evening as France attempted to contain al-Qaeda linked rebels in the north of the West African country.
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"The Prime Minister has agreed that the UK will provide logistical military assistance to help transport foreign troops and equipment quickly to Mali.
"We will not be deploying any British personnel in a combat role.
Good to see that the spare capacity the RAF AT fleet has being used at last....
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And RIP Damien Boiteux, the French pilot killed yesterday in Mali.
Britain to send aircraft to Mali to assist French fight against rebels | World news | The Observer
S41
Britain to send aircraft to Mali to assist French fight against rebels | World news | The Observer
S41
Squirrel -quite right but they are a slippery slimy bunch.
As an aside virtually no British goods in their shops in Paris this week, especially fresh goods. It seems they would rather eat crappy meat than
buy overseas ie from us in the UK. Very protectionist as a nation so I hope
they might remember this military help. Hope springs eternal.
As an aside virtually no British goods in their shops in Paris this week, especially fresh goods. It seems they would rather eat crappy meat than
buy overseas ie from us in the UK. Very protectionist as a nation so I hope
they might remember this military help. Hope springs eternal.
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Seems that it's not just the RAF being invited. The WSJ reports that
the Pentagon was reviewing a French request for technical assistance to conduct the Malian campaign. Mr. Le Drian declined to comment on France's request to the U.S.
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Maybe someone in Whitehall is getting nervous about the prospects for 'borrowing' a French carrier (should it ever be needed, of course - cannot think of any reason at the moment.............)
Exactly HOW MANY troops are they going to send in that they cannot provide their own transport?
Exactly HOW MANY troops are they going to send in that they cannot provide their own transport?
Very protectionist as a nation so I hope
they might remember this military help. Hope springs eternal.
they might remember this military help. Hope springs eternal.
OTOH around France there are still many small acts of rememberance to their Allies... such as this:
Last edited by wiggy; 13th Jan 2013 at 11:17.
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Exactly HOW MANY troops are they going to send in that they cannot provide their own transport?
Had the A400 been on time they probably wouldn't need the C-17.
RAF C17 to help French in Mali
I see on another thread that apparently another C17 is arriving.
Perhaps that's where this one is going, but pardon my temerity, why use a C17 which I understand are practically committed round the clock in Afghan?
It's about time the Powers that Be accept we are no longer the world's policeman able to send a gunboat (or C17) anywhere at the drop of a hat.
Our boys first, please!
BBC BREAKING NEWS:RAF C-17 cargo plane will leave UK this afternoon destined for Paris to assist the French operation in Mali, the BBC understands
It's about time the Powers that Be accept we are no longer the world's policeman able to send a gunboat (or C17) anywhere at the drop of a hat.
Our boys first, please!
Last edited by Icare9; 13th Jan 2013 at 11:52.
On the other hand, instability in Mali will potentially affect all nations. Alright, many nations. It's not just the French that should be concerned. In fact I would say 'well done' to them for stepping up to the plate (as they did very quickly in Libya).
So it's not surprising that UK and USA are offering help, even if we aren't actually putting troops on the ground.
So it's not surprising that UK and USA are offering help, even if we aren't actually putting troops on the ground.
Flying for the French
On the other hand flying to Mali will, no doubt, make a pleasant change from UK _ Afghanistan. It is an interesting country especially out in the desert although I doubt our aircraft will get there as that is where the rebels are. Probably Bamako will be the nearest to any action.
Many, many moons ago we did famine relief into Mali to places such as Nioro, Kayes and Timbuctou. One crew had to night stop at Timboctou because a battery failure meant they were unable to start the GTC. It was not too bad until the roof of the "hotel" fell in in the middle of the night. The rest of the time we were greeted by convicts to do the unloading - all glowing skin and enormous grins, especially when unloading flour.
Many, many moons ago we did famine relief into Mali to places such as Nioro, Kayes and Timbuctou. One crew had to night stop at Timboctou because a battery failure meant they were unable to start the GTC. It was not too bad until the roof of the "hotel" fell in in the middle of the night. The rest of the time we were greeted by convicts to do the unloading - all glowing skin and enormous grins, especially when unloading flour.
Squirrel -quite right but they are a slippery slimy bunch.
As an aside virtually no British goods in their shops in Paris this week, especially fresh goods. It seems they would rather eat crappy meat than
buy overseas ie from us in the UK. Very protectionist as a nation so I hope
they might remember this military help. Hope springs eternal.
As an aside virtually no British goods in their shops in Paris this week, especially fresh goods. It seems they would rather eat crappy meat than
buy overseas ie from us in the UK. Very protectionist as a nation so I hope
they might remember this military help. Hope springs eternal.
Also, doesn't the Aeronavale currently do our maritime surveillance for us?
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I see on another thread that apparently another C17 is arriving.
Perhaps that's where this one is going, but pardon my temerity, why use a C17 which I understand are practically committed round the clock in Afghan?
It's about time the Powers that Be accept we are no longer the world's policeman able to send a gunboat (or C17) anywhere at the drop of a hat.
Our boys first, please!
Perhaps that's where this one is going, but pardon my temerity, why use a C17 which I understand are practically committed round the clock in Afghan?
It's about time the Powers that Be accept we are no longer the world's policeman able to send a gunboat (or C17) anywhere at the drop of a hat.
Our boys first, please!
Being able to help our allies and vice versa is one of the strengths of today's Armed Forces, politics aside.
(PS 99 Sqn are indeed busy people but they are not "commited round the clock in Afghan" these days.)