Facts - know them - finningley boy
 

When the RAF was formed the first seven given RAF status were 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 14 - fact! Therefore an original sqn. As for tornado, 14 is the second most senior behind ii(ac) - fact. The only reason why 14 has gone and not 12 is that they are busy at the moment - fact. Finningley boy a simple google search will give you all this. I hope you will do some research before you comment - it took me no more than 2 min

If numbers were so important 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 & 11 would still be about - get over the number thing.

^^^"whatever" ^^^ this whole freaking deal really sucks.:sad:

Philip, you strike me as the kind of light weight who gets a lot of what he thinks he knows straight off the internet. You couldn't for one second, though, point out where I supported the disbandment of 14 sqn. I did question why 13 and not 31. But off the cuff, one can always overlook a simple explanation. I suggest you climb back down off your high hobby horse and place you remarks in a more enlightening context, rather than lash out with something you've just picked up!:=

FB:)

Finningley Boy,

I can - here:

Philip.snow may have got his facts off the internet, but the internet is right in this instance... it sounds like this decision's down to timing and a political sensitivity about disbanding deployed units. Perhaps the history books will record the manoeuvring for others to tut over in future?

As an ex Crusader I am absolutely gutted:(

But, it would have been just as gutting for anybody who is serving, or has served, on any Tornado GR Sqn (over the last 25 odd years) chosen for the chop. My heart also goes out to all those who have been a part of 13 Sqn. These are very sad times, which I really wish I did not have to witness.

However, the memories, the photographs, the videos, the experiences, the happy times, the good times, the sad times, the very sad times, the scary times, the very scary times, the emotional times, the angry times, the frustrating times, the hot times, the cold times, the wet times, the hard work times, the slack times, the busy times, the boring times, the anxious times, the lonely times, the nervous times, the apprehensive times, the exciting times, the fun times, the exhilarating times and finally the extremely proud times, will never be forgotten by me as long as I live.

I am proud and privileged to have had the honour to have served on three Tornado Sqns over the years, but 14 will always have a very special place in my heart.

RA! RA! Crusaders.

P. S. I am sure that my two daughters (now 27 and 24) would be quite happy to adopt Eric who has spent many a time in their arms.

<<I am sure that my two daughters (now 27 and 24) would be quite happy to adopt Eric who has spent many a time in their arms.>>

I hear Eric's getting grumpier as he gets older. Also, have you seen the size of the beast recently.........:eek:

On a positive note (if there can be any), at least both sqn numbers will be available to move over to F-35.

Rigga......don't be an arse! Sqn numbers are to the RAF what Regimental names are to the Army. :=

SRENNAPS

Bloody well said :ok: You summarised life on 14 Sqn (but as you say could be any sqn) spot on!

Rigga

Am I missing something here :

3 Sqn - Typhoon Squadron, Coningsby
6 Sqn - Typhoon Squadron, Leuchars
8 Sqn - E3D Squadron, Waddo
11 Sqn - Typhoon Squadron, Coningsby

I admit I have taken this from the RAF website and we know how accurate that has been of late (although it does show 1(F) and IV(AC) as recently disbanded:( but I'm fairly certain that they will soon be standing up again .... albeit not as a GR9 outfit:E)

Sad news indeed. I had 2 great tours on Xiii...looking forward to meeting old friends at the farewell p*ss up...

:)Its not something I support Easystreet just voicing my understanding of the protocol for disbanding squadrons. If Philip has found out a snippet off the internet that 14 squadron are an older squadron than 12, for example, he must be missing something else, as they have been chosen to disband. But in anycase, my point is merely an observation, not something I'm going to fight to the death over as some article of faith. However, it was Philip's manner of bringing his point to light, which I'll gladly accept, which I'll admit drew my hasty response. I just don't understand the rather disturbed and overtly defensive manner in which he chose to express his new found knowledge.:ugh:

FB

And therein lies the great political question - which will not be answered until after the Scottish Parliament elections for fear of giving Labour and/or the SNP a boost against the Liberals in Moray and North East Fife.

As for seniority, there was a precedent, albeit not recently, for Squadrons re-numbering on disbandment of a more senior squadron to preserve the identity of the more senior unit. BUt I think they stopped that in the mid 60s.

It don't matter a fcuk which two Tornado GR squadrons are going - come June 2 this year there will be two less than "we" have now :mad: :mad:

...and six less than "we" need now :oh:

I suspect it matters to both the current and past members of those 2 sqns. But I do get your point.

Sgt.Slabber.

Er, just WHY do we need eleven Tornado GR4 squadrons now? To sustain a force of 8 jets in Afghanistan?

11 Sqns is the total of the force at the height of the Cold war. What would you do now with eleven squadrons of the things?

As a current crusader it wasnt nice but as soon as we were told there was a briefing with the station commander we knew our time was up.

Not sure whats going to happen to Eric but im sure we will sort out a good home for him :-)

And we will let all past crusaders know when the hanger bash is :)

'Once a Crusader, Always a Crusader'

JAJ.

On a positive note (if there can be any), at least both sqn numbers will be available to move over to F-35.

Available maybe, however I fear a lot of recently disbanded sqns will never see the light of day again in a 'proper role'. A long queue is forming for the number plates on F-35 sqns!

True, but then those training sqns that currently hold reserve status that are less senior could be changed to the more senior ones. That is if we have any training sqns left. :(

Not that this is of any significance compared to the main issue of the thread, but I think this has happened more recently than the 60s eg 27 Sqn renumbering as 12 Sqn in 1993.