RAF Regiment. Heads will roll!
The same conversation was had at my location (and I imagine every other RAF unit), imagine being highly trained to do your Regiment's core job - Defend airfields then be passed over for an Army detachment. IMO this stank of 'send a high-profile' detachment the public have heard of to save some face in what was an embarrassing time for the Government. Was this the right way to raise it though? Probably not but it may prove to be highly-effective, maybe CAS will spend 5 minutes away from his next LGBT/pride mission to concentrate on the actual sharp-end.
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The same conversation was had at my location (and I imagine every other RAF unit), imagine being highly trained to do your Regiment's core job - Defend airfields then be passed over for an Army detachment. IMO this stank of 'send a high-profile' detachment the public have heard of to save some face in what was an embarrassing time for the Government. Was this the right way to raise it though? Probably not but it may prove to be highly-effective, maybe CAS will spend 5 minutes away from his next LGBT/pride mission to concentrate on the actual sharp-end.
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Allegedly, it would have taken every field sqn and most of the guys you see doing your IRTs on the Force Development sqns in order to have enough personnel to deploy. Additionally, 16 AAB were the bros on readiness to move in case of a crisis.
CG has handed his notice in about it though. Furthermore, it seems that CAS just didn’t fight at all to get the Regt out there, he was laissez faire about it which is deeply damaging.
someone on the thread above nailed it, he’s too consumed and interested in his E&D drive than talking operational capability.
CG has handed his notice in about it though. Furthermore, it seems that CAS just didn’t fight at all to get the Regt out there, he was laissez faire about it which is deeply damaging.
someone on the thread above nailed it, he’s too consumed and interested in his E&D drive than talking operational capability.
I recall, about 20 years ago, Director Infantry and Commandant Infantry Trials and Development Unit being highly complimentary about the RAF Regt, in particular a certain Sqn Ldr (Ian C) during a lengthy tour at ITDU when he was put in charge of the flagship programme. One of his colleagues, a Black Watch Major, thought likewise, which is of course much higher praise.
Wiggy has always lived in his own little special bubble, oblivious to anything that cannot advance him. I doubt that this a deliberate slight against the RAF Regt, it probably never even entered his thoughts - he has always looked upwards and never down.
I always thought a strategic error was made in allowing the Royal Artillery to become Defence lead on GBAD and forward air controlling. The RAF Regiment should have been concentrated in those areas, where absolute air-mindedness and integration are needed, instead of airfield ground defence, which ultimately is a numbers game the Army will always win. I wonder if this episode will bring about a change of direction. Stories like this will always get people talking about air-mindedness on the ground too, but hard to see how the Regiment would prevent such incidents without posting troops at every taxiway intersection - and if their numbers are insufficient for the external defence task, controlling 'friendly' traffic is going to be a stretch.
Last edited by Easy Street; 5th Sep 2021 at 10:36.
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The management from the top is one of self-preservation, over actual deliverables and doing what is best for the Corps and wider Air Force.
All political.
Had the Reg been involved, the whole of OP PITTING would have been completed by 'Air'. (RAF transport aircraft etc).
The Army needed a horse in the race to appear relevant.
Had the Reg been involved, the whole of OP PITTING would have been completed by 'Air'. (RAF transport aircraft etc).
The Army needed a horse in the race to appear relevant.
As for being consumed by EDI etc rather than capability, I don’t see that as a particularly new thing. I can’t remember the last time I was chased for being late on my CCS or whatever we call it this week. Miss your EDI and H&S tick though, and my God all hell breaks loose.
Last edited by Melchett01; 5th Sep 2021 at 12:31.
I seem to remember this CAS acting very theatrically , and to my mind impetuously, when there was the hazing incident at Honington a few months back....
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Well from what I hear from friends working there, the thinking amongst the Light Blue in Main Building is he can stop looking upwards - he’s got no chance of being CDS.
As for being consumed by EDI etc rather than capability, I don’t see that as a particularly new thing. I can’t remember the last time I was chased for being late on my CCS or whatever we call it this week. Miss your EDI and H&S tick though, and my God all hell breaks loose.
As for being consumed by EDI etc rather than capability, I don’t see that as a particularly new thing. I can’t remember the last time I was chased for being late on my CCS or whatever we call it this week. Miss your EDI and H&S tick though, and my God all hell breaks loose.
Last edited by Easy Street; 5th Sep 2021 at 13:48.
I made the point very early on:
15th August ..........................
Don't the regiment have Force Protection duty?
15th August ..........................
Don't the regiment have Force Protection duty?
Not disagreeing with the sentiment, but there is an inherent contradiction in your post. The light blue might not like Wiggy's priorities, but if politicians and senior civil servants do then his chances of CDS might be better than assumed. Remember he was plucked from relative obscurity to be CAS by the same sort of people that influence the CDS appointment. If they continue to see him as their placeman, or if one of the other services can be persuaded that he would do them less harm than the third service's candidate, then I wouldn't write him off. They might look at who would be eligible next time round and judge that Wiggy offers too good an opportunity to get safely through another light blue CDS tenure while kicking the next one miles down the road. Also, VCDS and DCDS(MilCap) are arguably more valuable than CDS as posts to hold while laying the groundwork for a defence review, such as the next round of incumbents might have to.
For what it's worth and at a slight risk of thread drift - but we're here now anyway - my money is on Gen Sanders. Same Regt as Carter - both Black Mafia. I believe Sanders was Carter's MA at some point and I forget which way round, but one is god father to the other's children. I'm also seeing a lot of Carter's CDS candidate playbook in Sanders' current behaviour and press engagement where as Wigston is conspicuously quiet. He is also very Light Blue which may play against him in Central circles if he is seen to be too parochial.
Anyway, back to the RAF Regt not defending airfields ...
Melchy,
I think we can just about get away with the thread drift onto senior appointments because the central charge from the Regiment NCOs seems to be one of supine senior leadership. I think you misunderstood my point about VCDS and MilCap posts: I'm not saying Wiggy would go to either (clearly, wrong rank for the second!) but that one of the other services, and the RN is an obvious candidate for the reasons you mention, might take the view that supporting Wiggy for CDS would be a good exchange for securing its preferred candidate in one of the aforementioned posts. Rich Knighton's successor has, I understand, been named internally, but it'll be his/her successor that gets the crucial "SDSR25" gig...
I think we can just about get away with the thread drift onto senior appointments because the central charge from the Regiment NCOs seems to be one of supine senior leadership. I think you misunderstood my point about VCDS and MilCap posts: I'm not saying Wiggy would go to either (clearly, wrong rank for the second!) but that one of the other services, and the RN is an obvious candidate for the reasons you mention, might take the view that supporting Wiggy for CDS would be a good exchange for securing its preferred candidate in one of the aforementioned posts. Rich Knighton's successor has, I understand, been named internally, but it'll be his/her successor that gets the crucial "SDSR25" gig...
- RAF head and Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston was accused of damaging morale
- Attack came in letter signed by 63 non-commissioned officers in No 1 Squadron
- It describes failure to use RAF Regiment in Afghanistan as an 'embarrassment'
- It said it was proof Sir Mike Wigston had 'no clue' how to use the RAF Regiment
