Hmm.

The new 2* head of JHC has a flagrant mis-understanding of the term Joint.

'Never in the field of jointery was so much ignored, by so few, to so many.

TL,

If joint is the mantra for the Tories do you think the 2* at JHC will last or will he be lifted?

Who commands CHF, is it JHC or Fleet?

A Captain.

Confirmation of funding for 14 Chinooks: Torygraph

...but no mention of a Merlin marinisation upgrade or an LEP. Without one it will just about lift pussers lunchbox. I'd also be interested to know when the mk3 is lifex. I have heard rumours of 2030.

Does anyone know, or has anyone ever heard bandied about, even a rough figure for the cost of 'markfourinising' the Mark 3/3A fleet ?

Really good question
 

So if CHF is the supposed maritime and amphibious experts, why is it in the JHC in the first place? If they love the sea and bobbing around so much, why aren't they under a maritime HQ?

And Unchecked, as to the cost for 'markfourinisation' of the Merlin, I would tread carefully there as we all know it is not purely the marinisation of the airframe that will cost the money, but the essential LEP to remove obselence (maybe even improve the cheese gearbox that everyone talks about?). Therefore even if we end up with the Merlins we too will also need to spend money.

If we were really being honest with ourselves I personally do not think that despite the forward leaning pretense by senior officers that any of us in the wokka or freak fleets genuinely have the appetite for many months at sea (and it looks as though the Libya Op is providing a non-intervention power projection template that the current genre of politicians like). Especially if all Merlin are going to be based in the depths of Cornwall - I can see wives and girlfriends just loving that as we all depart for 6 months at a time!

If the Fisheads really want to take Merlin to sea then good luck to them.

Maroon man,
You fail to notice the irony of your predicament. When the booties find out just how much it can lift, they will be on the horn to odiham requesting your presence at the next cocktail party....

MM4,

Come, come, I must pick you up on the use of the term 'Freaks'. In http://www.pprune.org/military-aircr...merlins-7.html #130 you pledged:

Remember some of us have to work with them.

I hate to correct you as you have brought so much commomsense to these debates. Just wish I could work out who you are?

Sorry, I will stop using the term Freaks - old habits die hard, but apologies and consider myself chastised :{

I too work with them and have the utmost respect.

There, don't you feel better already? :ok: They have feelings too.

MM4,
As for your withdrawn post about everybody flying each others helicopters- you were not in Bitburg with 6 others were you?

If he was then he and I have something in common :p

So if CHF is the supposed maritime and amphibious experts, why is it in the JHC in the first place? If they love the sea and bobbing around so much, why aren't they under a maritime HQ?

I don't believe that CHF had a speaking part in the formation of JHC, which IIRC occurred prior to the arrival of Merlin 3 and during a time when pretty much all UK ops (Balkans, Telic etc) requiring RW lift called on Yeovilton (and Odiham) first.

The CHF were told to move into JHC by VCDS.

There is a real question as to whether JHC represents value for money. It certainly didn't for the RN as it required a large uplift in HQ staff officers (something like from 2 up to 12). The main benefit is that it has given the Junglies a better career path than they had before, otherwise they would probably be better off in Fleet HQ.

More controversially one could make an argument that they have had to meet the lowest common denominator in terms of standards. I will not name the guilty Service but I think we know who I mean.

Following Fox's announcements yesterday, is there any white smoke re CHF?

Haven't seen any, nor did I see any drawdown in the numbers of booties.

As I said in a previous post. If the policy to send mk3 across to the RN goes ahead(and I think it will), it will not meet the timescale of those who are making it. Why? To make something happen it must be resourced properly, ie aircraft, instructors, accommodation and a realistic timescale. It must also not in any way compromise current operations...

As for mk4, still haven't seen any £s on the table??

I'ts gone very quiet on this thread!

Has an adverse (for the RAF) decision been made?