OK - so they are almost at the pointy end. But my point was that the bone appeared to be pointing at the traditional "blunties" (wear it with pride team :D ) admin, supply, engineers etc, who, it would appear, are whiter than the driven snow in this case :ok:

Is that nonsense of the Phone Answering Branch still going on? I was once nearly joe'd for a stint in some desert dump because the DetCo refused to have anyone from the PAB in his Ops room. Fortunately I didn't go - the bloke who did said it was a waste of time and he ended up doing most of the wrok so his boss could go and get drunk with his cronies.....

I'm sure that the option of a tour in the UK with predictable hours would offer a pleasant change for many hard worked aircrew. Things like UASs used to offer that - except that the beancounters got rid of any meaningful levels of QFI requirement and instead formed the University Air Cadets....:{

Allan, please see PM, I put this message in the wrong forum to start with.

Beags, yes, I believe it is and probably because there aircrew pool continues to drain away. I made the point you just made earlier on. The Ops tour was both a rest tour, something that happened in WW2 even, and a good broadening tool as well. You had to read and learn all the Op Orders and Procedure books etc and this stood you in good stead later.

It was a shame however that Ops Officer was always considered a lowly post as I believe many putative flt commanders would have benefited from a FOFL Ops tour.

How sad that this article has generated more discussion in the media than the pitiful state of the RAF today. The Air Power, and associated AT support, being delivered in the two Armed Conflicts currently being fought is pathetic. That is not due to the lack of effort of either air or ground specialisations, but poor Government and Piss Poor leadership from within.

I suggest, Ladies and Gentlemen, that we concentrate on that.

Now come on BellendBob

I thought President Blairs decision to impose massive cutbacks whilst at the same time committing us to both Afganistan and Iraq was a superb idea.

Maybe if the Chiefs put their case using Gangster Rap, it might help. :rolleyes:

What's been going on ? Been up in Gods country for a long weekend for the Rugby and just catching up on Prune.

Just checked samuraiprats profile to see what the little twerp has been up to and it says he is Persona Non Grata. Is this him arrsing around or have the Mods finally binned him ? Please someone.............enlighten me. :D