SDSR rumours.
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I'll bet once the oil starts flowing in the Falklands (say early 2020's) there will be 8 Tranche One Typhoons down there - lots of space to fly in with a population who don't moan about noise and I'm sure will be happy to "make an increased contribution" to costs
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Easy,
The Navy has the escorts it needs for a single Task Group with Type 45s already practicing the future role as part of USN CVN task groups. For a single task group, at any one time, the RN has the Type 45s, still very capable Type 23s and Astute class boats plus the support ships being built overseas. Not to mention most Task Groups are multi-national these days anyways, hence why we practice with allied navies so much during Joint Warrior and Cougar exercises/deployments. The BBC does not really know what it's talking about in this instance and there's no point stirring up the inter-service rivalries after the SDSR.
Speaking of what I know, the Fleet Air Arm is not badly off manning wise compared to some and it has been planning the required personnel to man F-35 properly, both air and ground crew, for some time. Utilising the strong links with the USN to train aircrew, engineers and deck handlers seems, so far, to have worked well. The FAA manning system also seems to actually look ahead and takes significantly beter care of it's personnel compared to the deskies at High Wycombe.
I would personally suggest 892 NAS for the next dark blue F-35 squadron. The badge has a lightning bolt and the Motto "Strike Unseen", which seems rather appropriate, and it has the fixed wing (F-4), big deck carrier heritage.
The Navy has the escorts it needs for a single Task Group with Type 45s already practicing the future role as part of USN CVN task groups. For a single task group, at any one time, the RN has the Type 45s, still very capable Type 23s and Astute class boats plus the support ships being built overseas. Not to mention most Task Groups are multi-national these days anyways, hence why we practice with allied navies so much during Joint Warrior and Cougar exercises/deployments. The BBC does not really know what it's talking about in this instance and there's no point stirring up the inter-service rivalries after the SDSR.
Speaking of what I know, the Fleet Air Arm is not badly off manning wise compared to some and it has been planning the required personnel to man F-35 properly, both air and ground crew, for some time. Utilising the strong links with the USN to train aircrew, engineers and deck handlers seems, so far, to have worked well. The FAA manning system also seems to actually look ahead and takes significantly beter care of it's personnel compared to the deskies at High Wycombe.
I would personally suggest 892 NAS for the next dark blue F-35 squadron. The badge has a lightning bolt and the Motto "Strike Unseen", which seems rather appropriate, and it has the fixed wing (F-4), big deck carrier heritage.
19 and 43, I reckon. Unless they want to use another Tornado numberplate. What will be more interesting is which numberplate will be used for the Poseidon squadron; it should be an ex-MR unit, but I think it will more likely be 9 or 12.
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The maritime squadrons 201 or 120 would be sensible. 201 because it was 1 Sqn RNAS and became 201 on 1 Apr 1918 or 120 because of its special circumstances in the award of its standard.
I've reformed a couple of units in the past and by far the hardest and most contentious thing was the number plates because everyone seems to have a vested interest and everyone has an opinion. Everyone's opinion is the correct one and causes hours of nugatory staff work.
I've reformed a couple of units in the past and by far the hardest and most contentious thing was the number plates because everyone seems to have a vested interest and everyone has an opinion. Everyone's opinion is the correct one and causes hours of nugatory staff work.
Gentleman Aviator
Everyone's opinion is the correct one and causes hours of nugatory staff work.
One was in the RAF's Odd Job Department in the Ministry when an earlier "Numberplate Fest" was going on (was it "Front Line First"? must have been mid-90s ish) and a guy I shared an office with was running with the numberplate sketch. Oy Vay! the problems he had with VSOs trying to keep "their" numbers.
It got to playing Top Trumps with numbers of VCs and DFCs at one stage........ Mate allegedly said to one VSO:
"Sir, the only way we can keep xyz Sqn numberplate is if one of the essential criteria is having been commanded by a bloke called ........... (insert name of VSO as required!)"!
It didn't work for that VSO, fine chap though he was............
Gentleman Aviator
..... well the 900 series numbers were used for Barrage Balloon Squadrons, perhaps we could resurrect (re-inflate?) some of those. 
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One thing that seems to have slipped through the comments is that the
Vanguard SSBN's are going to be serving a lot longer....... almost as long as the US boats..............
Vanguard SSBN's are going to be serving a lot longer....... almost as long as the US boats..............
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Who knows, maybe with new management in Argentina the FIG will be on trading terms with their neighbour. Potential £50m per annum saving?
Did anyone see this slip through??
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-34909649
HMS Ocean to be scrapped in 2019 - After a recent £65mil refit. Guess it will be replaced with the QE class helicopter carrier.............
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-34909649
HMS Ocean to be scrapped in 2019 - After a recent £65mil refit. Guess it will be replaced with the QE class helicopter carrier.............
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Slipped through? Always the planned retirement date and confirmed as long ago as last April*. With the tight manpower constraints in the RN I would presume the crew are planned and essential to transfer across and man the QE and PoW.
* David Cameron's Tories' plan to axe flagship helicopter carrier in savage cuts - Mirror Online
* David Cameron's Tories' plan to axe flagship helicopter carrier in savage cuts - Mirror Online
Gentleman Aviator
renumber the whole lot from 1-20
You'll be suggesting next that the infantry don't need 19 different cap badges ......!
Course you could always use an 800 series numberplate - 800/801/892 for example. Big dark blue manning component. Ready for when the squadrons transition to F35 and spend a significant period of time embarked........
SDSR2015
You mention Tornado GR4 not being drawn down as planned. Has there been anything announced on this. I have read the SDSR report and all I could find was something along the lines..Tornado will continue to operate until replaced by Typhoon...
as someone who has been involved with this wonderful aircraft for some time, I would appreciate any relating information other than the planned retirement in 2019.
as someone who has been involved with this wonderful aircraft for some time, I would appreciate any relating information other than the planned retirement in 2019.
Looking through Jeff Jefford's book on RAF Squadrons it is noticeable that for some reason the Air Ministry missed out No.188 Squadron during the Second World War. Perhaps this could be a good time.
Now, what shall we use as the motto?
Now, what shall we use as the motto?
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Teetering - that's a different argument....
TBH I can just about (at a stretch) understand that politicians want to keep the late Victorian County regiments inteh Army (tho' I doubt their relevance anymore) but no-one ever rolled up to the RAF to join XYZ Squadron
Squadron identification is post posting and seems to grow the longer people have been away from them... especially amonst VSO's.... (ducks)
TBH I can just about (at a stretch) understand that politicians want to keep the late Victorian County regiments inteh Army (tho' I doubt their relevance anymore) but no-one ever rolled up to the RAF to join XYZ Squadron
Squadron identification is post posting and seems to grow the longer people have been away from them... especially amonst VSO's.... (ducks)
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We know that RAF Scampton effectively serves no purpose, but hasn't anyone told the local MP not to draw advertise the fact! 
Lincolnshire MP calls for 'home of the RAF' to have more staff and resources - The Lincolnite
Lincolnshire MP calls for 'home of the RAF' to have more staff and resources - The Lincolnite