New CAS
Has Air Marshall Wigston driven anything pointy during his career thus far?
Didn't seem so from my uneducated reading of his CV.
I had always assumed that the head of the service had usually been a flyer - and usually a fast jet flyer at that.
Not judging - just curious...
Didn't seem so from my uneducated reading of his CV.
I had always assumed that the head of the service had usually been a flyer - and usually a fast jet flyer at that.
Not judging - just curious...
Join Date: Sep 2009
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It appears that he has.
1992 – Completed pilot training on Tornado GR1
This was followed by a succession of frontline tours, including operational deployments enforcing the no-fly zones in Iraq.
2005 – Assumed command of 12 (Bomber) Squadron
Flying the Tornado GR4 and leading the Squadron on two operational tours in Iraq and large force exercises in Canada, Malaysia and the USA.
2007 – Commander of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing in Iraq
Supporting a number of aircraft types such as Typhoon FGR4, Tornado GR4 and C130 Hercules.
2013 – Tornado Force Commander
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisat...el-capability/
CAREER HISTORY
1986 - Commissioned on a University Cadetship1992 – Completed pilot training on Tornado GR1
This was followed by a succession of frontline tours, including operational deployments enforcing the no-fly zones in Iraq.
2005 – Assumed command of 12 (Bomber) Squadron
Flying the Tornado GR4 and leading the Squadron on two operational tours in Iraq and large force exercises in Canada, Malaysia and the USA.
2007 – Commander of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing in Iraq
Supporting a number of aircraft types such as Typhoon FGR4, Tornado GR4 and C130 Hercules.
2013 – Tornado Force Commander
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisat...el-capability/
Tartare
No. It is not essential that CAS has a FJ background.
It is a fact, though, that FJ pilots are just far superior to everyone else and therefore it makes it a sensible course of action.
BV
(For all those sensitive poppets out there, this post is meant in jest!)
It is a fact, though, that FJ pilots are just far superior to everyone else and therefore it makes it a sensible course of action.
BV
(For all those sensitive poppets out there, this post is meant in jest!)
Cor, Bob Viking - despite your bracketed caveat - the rotary wing mafia (in the absence of their maritime equivalent) are sharpening their swords as I pen this.
You are brave but reckless officer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OD
You are brave but reckless officer !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OD
Probably because they want someone who had flown an aircraft that has strategic reach and far ranging capabilities - rather than a subsonic pig, with mainly a support-the-troops role that can fly backwards at airshows?
Having been thoroughly dunked in a vat of purple paint, my dog in this fight these days is a small terrier - Scrappy Doo if you like. But I would suggest it's potentially a long walk home when superior FJ skills lose out to the laws of physics without a helicopter to give you a lift. And one thing I quickly learned about FJ pilots, they really don't like walking - can't even manage a round of golf without sitting on one of those motorised shopping carts ;-)
My earlier caution to Bob Viking was not meant to signal open warfare between the various types of 'drivers airframe', 'directional consultants' or anybody else but clearly it has fired the combative ppruners to take to the barricades.
I must search out a Christmas card received many moons ago which had a photo of Avro's tin triangle with a Blue Steel tucked underneath, on the front. When opened, the card held the message: 'Peace on earth and goodwill to all men - From the RAF's nuclear strike force'.
O-D
I must search out a Christmas card received many moons ago which had a photo of Avro's tin triangle with a Blue Steel tucked underneath, on the front. When opened, the card held the message: 'Peace on earth and goodwill to all men - From the RAF's nuclear strike force'.
O-D
O-D
Personally I think the inter fleet banter is far more interesting than discussing the relative merits of senior officers.
I also think it’s probably fair to say I started it.
You're all most welcome.
BV
I also think it’s probably fair to say I started it.
You're all most welcome.
BV
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Ah, Upward Reporting! As a deal-breaker it has potential!
Tartare
'K' meaning one thousand. 'RET' meaning retarded. Therefore KRET = 1000 pound retarded bomb. Now a legacy weapon.
I do not know any details of the story in question. It sounds like an honest mistake though!
BV
I do not know any details of the story in question. It sounds like an honest mistake though!
BV
I guess if you do the hard yards you get the rewards. That being said having the top operational job does not seem a good precursor to becoming CAS. I will let this forum debate that one...
Remember when Steve was a Flying Officer and Elaine, by my calibration, was at least a Squadron leader and that is RAF not WRAF....! Hope they have an enjoyable retirement, they have certainly earn't it.
Remember when Steve was a Flying Officer and Elaine, by my calibration, was at least a Squadron leader and that is RAF not WRAF....! Hope they have an enjoyable retirement, they have certainly earn't it.
Incumbent before the current post holder flew whirly things