OP 'TIL WE DROP
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Try reading the linked article!!
As for the official RAF/MOD response, perhaps it can be paraphrased as "... the Emperor has a splendid set of new clothes, as everyone can see...."!
As for the official RAF/MOD response, perhaps it can be paraphrased as "... the Emperor has a splendid set of new clothes, as everyone can see...."!
A good friends daughter has completed two dets to Afghanistan in the last 18 months. Just been told she is off to Africa in the New Year meaning she has had to cancel her wedding. The cream on top of the cake was also being told, allegedly, that if she gets infected with Ebola she will not be brought back to the UK.
And more cuts to come after the next election..............
And more cuts to come after the next election..............
On reading the BBC article the phrase that really caught my eye was:
Is this what we have come to?
YS
crews there are led by a chain of command, "so laced with budgetary fear... that no one knows what the plan is".
YS
I'm shocked people are shocked. Look at the Dets 2,9, and 31 have done this year....there were better facilities at KAF than Aki by far.
I liked the hidden nugget about the quality of engines coming from RR/BAe. Bang on the money, the product coming from them was shocking. Wasn't unusual to go through 3-4 engines on an engine change in KAF.
I liked the hidden nugget about the quality of engines coming from RR/BAe. Bang on the money, the product coming from them was shocking. Wasn't unusual to go through 3-4 engines on an engine change in KAF.
There must be plenty money sloshing around as local councils can afford to give their top people £90k Porsche Panameras.
BBC News - Pembs chief Bryn Parry-Jones's work car was £90k Porsche
BBC News - Pembs chief Bryn Parry-Jones's work car was £90k Porsche
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Confirm the squadron in question was on operations? I.e military delivering effect. Have some become a bit spoiled over the past few years of having all the trimmings (Kandahar etc)? Do the Armed Forces now expect a fully furnished gym, Pizza Hut, Costa and a full stocked EFI before deploying? Not withstanding the lack of investment in equipment and resources, aren't servicemen supposed to be able to be a bit more enduring?
Wonder if the Booties, Paras or Guards wrote to the press prior to landing in San Carlos due to the lack of retail facilities?
Wonder if the Booties, Paras or Guards wrote to the press prior to landing in San Carlos due to the lack of retail facilities?
Pizza Hut and Costa aside, the closure of TPMH must be of more serious concern.
But the ever-accurate MoD website still lists TPMH as being open - even though the website was updated 6 months after it closed....
Lions led by donkeys.....
But the ever-accurate MoD website still lists TPMH as being open - even though the website was updated 6 months after it closed....
Lions led by donkeys.....
Join Date: Aug 2000
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I don't think it is too much to ask for proper catering facilities to provide food when people need it for their shift pattern. No one is asking for a mall of pizza huts but a feeder would be a nice minimum. There is no money in the pot and the cancellation of a number of ISTAR assets being deployed just proves it. Fortunately the lack of money matches the lack of plan so at least we maintain some balance.
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wg13
Whilst you have a certain point, just remind me how long the Falklands went on for?
Or WW1, or WW2?
There are things that can be put up with for a little while, but when it has been a deacade of back to back ops then more is required.
I think I need a sit down. Can't believe I just defended crabs wanting a bit of comfort!
Must need a rest.
Whilst you have a certain point, just remind me how long the Falklands went on for?
Or WW1, or WW2?
There are things that can be put up with for a little while, but when it has been a deacade of back to back ops then more is required.
I think I need a sit down. Can't believe I just defended crabs wanting a bit of comfort!
Must need a rest.
Join Date: Jan 2012
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GW1 - Akrotiri was quite a sh*thole. But hey ho, it was busy and there was a war on so people got on with it. We moved to Episkopi after a couple of months and lived there for the duration, commuting daily to Akrotiri.
There was always the feeling that things could have been made a lot better at Akrotiri, but there simply wasn't the will. The US and Canadians who came in to support their aircraft movements made themselves very comfortable.
The attitude of the 'Permanent Staff' was probably the most frustrating factor. I can't imagine attitudes have changed very much.
S-D
There was always the feeling that things could have been made a lot better at Akrotiri, but there simply wasn't the will. The US and Canadians who came in to support their aircraft movements made themselves very comfortable.
The attitude of the 'Permanent Staff' was probably the most frustrating factor. I can't imagine attitudes have changed very much.
S-D
A source at the MoD said the facilities, as well as conditions of service, at Akrotiri are comparable with all RAF stations around the world.
A colleague of mine is deployed elsewhere in the ME at the moment and he has said something very similar about lack of decision making or support because people are either terrified of spending money or they blame the politicians for not wanting to issue direction.
It's a sorry state of affairs all in all, especially as the grand er plan doesn't seem to be going to plan. So it will be medals all round to keep people happy will it? I recall a US officer in Baghdad in 2003 saying that's what they were doing to try and keep people 'happy' and motivated.
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Tourist, are you suggesting that those individuals who decided to complain have been on constant operations, deployed away for 10 years? I don't think so.
Comfort is one thing, having an expectation of what they perceive they should have is another. They are not getting shot at or shelled, they are living in some fairly nice conditions and are living on a large base with even basic amenities. They are in the military and being on ops is actually a part of the deal.
Comfort is one thing, having an expectation of what they perceive they should have is another. They are not getting shot at or shelled, they are living in some fairly nice conditions and are living on a large base with even basic amenities. They are in the military and being on ops is actually a part of the deal.
I suspect this in as far as the food goes is a local command failure.
1975 at Long Kesh in the middle of a long day and night shift at 4 am we arrived at the cookhouse.
Duty Cook, What would you like?
What is there?
Cook If I've got it you can have it.
6x Steak and chips?
Cook, 15 mins lads, sit down and I'll bring it to the table oh and by the way there is a crate of beer over there that someone seems to have forgotten. One each.
Strikes me that the officers don't give a sh*t about the men. Don't blame the government.
I think the AVM rather than breaking into a pallet of food should have dug out the officer in charge of the detachment and sent the tosser home.
1975 at Long Kesh in the middle of a long day and night shift at 4 am we arrived at the cookhouse.
Duty Cook, What would you like?
What is there?
Cook If I've got it you can have it.
6x Steak and chips?
Cook, 15 mins lads, sit down and I'll bring it to the table oh and by the way there is a crate of beer over there that someone seems to have forgotten. One each.
Strikes me that the officers don't give a sh*t about the men. Don't blame the government.
I think the AVM rather than breaking into a pallet of food should have dug out the officer in charge of the detachment and sent the tosser home.
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Wg13, Welcome to the year 2014.
It's not 1914 so why do you expect people to live in conditions like it still is?
Today, servicemen and women can make a career choice to stay or PVR. There is other jobs out there where you don't live in a flea pit and eat red cross food parcels. I've seen more comfortable prisons (on tv) than Akrotiri transit accommodation.
My Line Manager used to say "if you don't like it you can PVR". Now he's moaning about the lack of qualified and experienced manpower.
It's not 1914 so why do you expect people to live in conditions like it still is?
Today, servicemen and women can make a career choice to stay or PVR. There is other jobs out there where you don't live in a flea pit and eat red cross food parcels. I've seen more comfortable prisons (on tv) than Akrotiri transit accommodation.
My Line Manager used to say "if you don't like it you can PVR". Now he's moaning about the lack of qualified and experienced manpower.