12 Sqn get ANOTHER 12 months
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12 Sqn get ANOTHER 12 months
Mr Fallon said this second reprieve for the eight bombers based in Cyprus would ensure the RAF retained "the essential precision firepower, intelligence and surveillance" capabilities needed for operations against IS - also known as Isil.
Speaking in Baghdad, where he has met Iraqi officials, he said Iraq needed British help with air support, training and equipment, but not with ground troops.
"RAF Tornados have carried out hundreds of strikes, helping Iraqi forces push back Isil from the Kurdish region and out of key towns such as Tikrit and Bayji," he said.
"We want to ensure we maintain this crucial operational tempo and so we will extend the lifetime of Number 12 Squadron for a further year to March 2017."
Islamic State crisis: UK to extend air strikes over Iraq - BBC News
Speaking in Baghdad, where he has met Iraqi officials, he said Iraq needed British help with air support, training and equipment, but not with ground troops.
"RAF Tornados have carried out hundreds of strikes, helping Iraqi forces push back Isil from the Kurdish region and out of key towns such as Tikrit and Bayji," he said.
"We want to ensure we maintain this crucial operational tempo and so we will extend the lifetime of Number 12 Squadron for a further year to March 2017."
Islamic State crisis: UK to extend air strikes over Iraq - BBC News
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The UK Defence Secretary was interviewed on R4 this morning and I'm fairly sure I heard him say at one point "we have plenty of aircraft" or something similar. With a straight face, presumably.
Originally Posted by VX275
Is it a roundabout way of saying the Typhoon can't do the job?
Although not relevant to the current campaign, similar issues affect the UK Stormshadow capability. Now, as to whether Eurofighter and BAE can deliver the weapons integration on schedule... we'll see!
So is 12sqn a non-formed unit now or are the same guys taking all the pain? Last I saw on egoat earlier in the year there was no kebabs as they were all confined to base and treated like second class people by the unit.
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Probably stay as second class citizens until the MoD announces the "ISIS Campaign Medal" at which point they 'll all be sent to the beach while SO's deperately try and qualify for the gong................... 
HH, slightly bitter, Mate.
On the point about WSOs, I wonder how well Fallon actually understands the big picture here. But that's OK, we wouldn't want military facts to get in the way of SDSR, would we?
I can hear it now, and well deserved, "Courtney, slightly bitter, Mate!"
On the point about WSOs, I wonder how well Fallon actually understands the big picture here. But that's OK, we wouldn't want military facts to get in the way of SDSR, would we?
I can hear it now, and well deserved, "Courtney, slightly bitter, Mate!"
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Thank goodness we've still got these fine old aircraft and their equally gallant crews. The year's reprieve granted to this squadron by that old Thatcherite windbag Fallon exposes the paper-thin nature of our air force. Slashed and burned by this dreadful government our forces are struggling to cope. Has anybody got any idea how much this business is costing the UK and the effectiveness of the air-strikes? Are they worth the risk to personnel and aircraft?
9, 31, and 12 are rotating through continually.
I'm not a betting man, however, I'd wager the Tornado goes on well past the current projected retirement age...and by some margin.
It does the job well, and if it can stay serviceable, it's very capable and good value.
It does the job well, and if it can stay serviceable, it's very capable and good value.
