Aircrew on Fire Duty??
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Aircrew on Fire Duty??
At present I am fighting a 'war' as part of Blair's forgotten Air Force out here in the Gulf. When I get back I, and my crew, will be on fire duty! Talk about a waste of taxpayers, it cost millions to train us and were off to do a job that requires 2 days training.
Surely there must be a better way to do business! Any other pilots doing this on ac other than the Nimrod or have we won the lottery again?
Surely there must be a better way to do business! Any other pilots doing this on ac other than the Nimrod or have we won the lottery again?
Ahhh diddums! Reckon you're too good to be flexible do you? If they get truck drivers from the RLC to do it, why do you think you should be immune from serving your country in this way? Fragile fingernails?
The phrase "self-important prima donna" inexplicably springs to mind.
The phrase "self-important prima donna" inexplicably springs to mind.
Presumably the point being made is that to come straight off war ops only to go fire-fighting seems a somewhat harsh homecoming. Not so much the fire-fighting per se, more the timing?
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Since one half of the fire strike problem is the politicians (the other half being the firefighters), I can think of 650 wasters with time on their hands, currently loafing about in the Palace of Westminster, who might fancy a stint on the Green Goddesses themselves. And while I'm at it, I hope that Blair insists that his sons join the Armed Forces. That should cut down on the number of nugatory wars that he starts.
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I wouldn't mind having a go at this fireman lark. Seems good fun; Driving around really fast with the siren going, jumping red lights, and all the girls fancy you. Wouldn't like to do the pulling dead bodies out of burning houses bit though.
Brum brum. Neenar neenar.
Brum brum. Neenar neenar.
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Christopher Robin and Whipping Boy's SATCO,
Your comments show you have completely misunderstood the point of my post. This is not a prima donna issue, simply one of common sense. If you had spent 4 million quid training someone to fly aeroplanes, why then waste that valuable asset on fireman duty. I can't put it any simpler for you. An RLC driver probably doesn't need 3 years training. The fact that the war is almost over must mean that there are personnel available who would be more appropriate for these duties - reservists perhaps. Must dash - I have a plane to fly and a war to win!
Your comments show you have completely misunderstood the point of my post. This is not a prima donna issue, simply one of common sense. If you had spent 4 million quid training someone to fly aeroplanes, why then waste that valuable asset on fireman duty. I can't put it any simpler for you. An RLC driver probably doesn't need 3 years training. The fact that the war is almost over must mean that there are personnel available who would be more appropriate for these duties - reservists perhaps. Must dash - I have a plane to fly and a war to win!
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My brother's next-door neighbour is a fireman. He works soooo hard that, not only has he totally renovated his house, he's managed to squeeze in building an extension for one of the neighbour's too.
Meanwhile....."You chaps, jolly good effort in the Gulf, what. Now, cut along to stores and change the old respirator for a smoke mask and a natty yellow helmet and be back here in time to be shipped off to some luxurious barracks for a few weeks. Wife & kids? Plenty of time for that once the firemen have got their pay rise...."
Meanwhile....."You chaps, jolly good effort in the Gulf, what. Now, cut along to stores and change the old respirator for a smoke mask and a natty yellow helmet and be back here in time to be shipped off to some luxurious barracks for a few weeks. Wife & kids? Plenty of time for that once the firemen have got their pay rise...."
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Mike Jenvey
The words "Green Goddess" and "Speed" are not often contained in the same sentance. With a top speed in the reagion of 40mph and acceleration that a T-52 would be embarressed with, there is more chance of the crews being rammed from behind by a Robin Reliant than being killed in a high speed crash.
The words "Green Goddess" and "Speed" are not often contained in the same sentance. With a top speed in the reagion of 40mph and acceleration that a T-52 would be embarressed with, there is more chance of the crews being rammed from behind by a Robin Reliant than being killed in a high speed crash.
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Or you could get 50mph+ out of the GG, by going to shouts with the water tank empty, as 3 Para did in Essex. The thing won't work properly until connected to a hydrant, in any case.
I was as happy doing my bit towards defeating the firefighters as I was towards defeating Saddam. I ended up on Op Telic and Op Fresco at the same time, which could have been tricky, had the fireshirkers called a strike during the war.
Anyway, enjoy. It's good fun, especially if you end up as crew, in a busy area.
I was as happy doing my bit towards defeating the firefighters as I was towards defeating Saddam. I ended up on Op Telic and Op Fresco at the same time, which could have been tricky, had the fireshirkers called a strike during the war.
Anyway, enjoy. It's good fun, especially if you end up as crew, in a busy area.
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Officer/airman first, aircrew second isn't it? Presumably if terrorists had broken into your base and started shooting at YOU during Telic you'd have wanted someone else to return fire?
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Reichman - I am well aware of what GD means.
rivetjoint - No. You have missed the point entirely. It is simply a criminal waste of taxpayers cash to pay someone the money we're on to fight fires, when you have spent millions training them to fly aircraft. Its that simple! It would probably be cheaper to just give the firemen the pay rise! Guarding of DOBs is a separate and completely unrelated subject altogether.
rivetjoint - No. You have missed the point entirely. It is simply a criminal waste of taxpayers cash to pay someone the money we're on to fight fires, when you have spent millions training them to fly aircraft. Its that simple! It would probably be cheaper to just give the firemen the pay rise! Guarding of DOBs is a separate and completely unrelated subject altogether.
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Or maybe its just a more productive use of you time that would otherwise be spent sitting on your @rse.....
Given that service personnel are paid regardless of how busy they are, isn't the taxpayer just getting his money's worth??
Given that service personnel are paid regardless of how busy they are, isn't the taxpayer just getting his money's worth??
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Pylot. Then make a stand for the poor taxpayer. Whilst deployed on Op Fresco, return to the Treasury the difference between your pay and that of the average squaddie. That'll show 'em! 
Yup it is a waste of the taxpayers loot some of the aircrew have been doing op fiasco since the start, thats about seven months. When the CAS spoke to the poor bu**er's he suddenly gave Harold Station a Paddington Bear hard stare
always ASSUME never CHECK
always ASSUME never CHECK