new CAS
 

So the worst kept secret in Air Command now official...Pulford to be next CAS. Peach to take up VCDS role.

Beeb says "Pulford trained as a helicopter pilot, with 5,000 hours in Wessex and Chinook aircraft".

Is he the first non FJ CAS?

There is a very pleasing irony in this.

Andy Pulford was the president of the BOI for the infamous Mull of Kintyre Chinook accident.

John Day's attempt to belittle him personally to the media after he over-ruled the initial findings was disgraceful.

JD was subsequently "overlooked" for the CAS job.

Especially, in view of that: Andy, congratulations, very well done, your airship!! :ok:

For those who may have missed the announcement:

I am sorry but isn't Peachy over 55? Are we really that short (pun intended) of really senior occifers?:suspect:

What a great set of appointments! AP is first rate as is SP. I sense that for once in several generations we may get a set at the top who will work together in harmony with the other S, especially with GZ at the head of the RN. Question is who will be CDS? Houghton or Stanhope?

As for the RAF where does this leave Garwood and Anderson - both discoloured by the FAA/RAF wars of the past 10 years.

Beerdrinker - I think you're right that he's the first CAS without any FJ (or equivalent) experience. Sir Peter Harding's career included a stint as boss of 18 Squadron in their early days on the Wessex, but he'd flown Canberras before that. So he er... bucked the trend (in more ways than one as it transpired).

Sir Timmo was in deep conspitorial discussion with a senior Army officer last Thursday in the Pillard Hall. I wonder...

Next CAS.
 

I, too, would like to congratulate Andy on his appointment as the next CAS in July - as a rotary man through and through (Ret'd), his appointment is indeed a first; good to know there'll be a steady hand at the helm as the RAF prepares to adjust post Afghanistan/Defence cuts.

Don't know any of the chaps involved but I'm sure they're all spiffing.

I did note that in his biog it says that ACM Peach flew Canberras and Tornado. As he is wearing Nav wings shouldn't that read "flew in" Canberras and Tornado?

CDS is earmarked for the Army - Wall or Houghton

God forbid we'd choose the best man as CDS instead of the ridiculous buggins turn between the forces.........

So the failed Linton / Valley , passed Shawbury boys did well in the end. Top dogs in both the RN and RAF

Nothing is earmarked as it is the personal choice of the PM and recommended to the Queen.

As the requirement for the next 5 years will be to deliver the CEPP capability, in particular CVF, and replacement Vanguard etc one could see Stanhope as a likely contender. I would say Wall does not even feature, neither does Dalton (RAF told too many untruths in SDSR).

CAS
 

Congrats to Sir Pulford.
I always thought he was destined for greatness, but I didn't think he would go all the way to the top!

I will always remember the bollocking for the monthly Sqn history entry that included a joke and sarcasm. God I felt so small!

Top bloke for the top job :D

...asuming we get our CVF (and, therefore CEPP) and a Trident replacement.

Isn't Stanhope already over 60? Also I would have thought his inability to get on with the other Services would be a black mark against him, just as it is for CAS. OTOH I have heard he is best mates with Cameron (which doesn't fit in with all the stories told by the RN but heyho!)

Bismark your view of defence's priorities could be seen as slightly service oriented! The Army probably see reconfiguring to a viable 82k man Army as quite important. Also going by General Whatever's speech in the Lords, Vanguard might not get replaced - there are far cheaper ways of still being able to say we have nukes when you know you will never use them than purpose built SSBNs (can't honestly see that happening though).

Agree on Wall or Houghton.

The great thing about this thread, unlike many others, is that we will see who is right in a few months - someone bookmark it up and resurrect it.

One might also consider that the last thing Prime Minister Dave would wish for is a Naval CDS when he might be feeling iffy about replacing Trident, feeling twitchy about the carrier order/future/configuration and feeling more than a little uncertain about the future of F-35B.

No RAF contenders, so that leaves the Army anyway.

Wall was seen gloating too much immediately after SDSR when the Army seemed to have got away with it. he then was rumbled with the manpower funding black hole which resulted in reduce to 82K. The Army will be too focused on regrouping and working out what exactly will be their role and kit to worry about the bigger picture of defence. Contrary to Backwards my observations have been that Stanhope gets on quite well with the other Service Chiefs.....however, the answer is most likely Houghton - a very good Joint man (who trusts the RAF even less than Cameron does!).

Whoever gets the top job is going to have to resolve the question of "who owns what capability" - does it sit with the owner of the biggest risk or the one who thinks it is his God given right?

Ah. I was with you most of the way through that, Bismark. Lost it at the end, though. Not very joint, are you?