Not any more than in was back in the 80's.... ...

2 Buccaneer Op Sqns
1 Buccaneer OCU
1 Jaguar OCu
1 Shackleton Sqn
1 SAR Flt.

Happy Days are here again.........:ok::ok::p:p:D:D

edwardspannerhands,

I would say that 5 Typhoon squadrons and the entire Poseidon fleet ( OCU, OEU and 1 or 2 FL sqns?) is a lot more in terms of people and kit than your list, but where is it stated that the two additional Typhoon squadrons WILL be at Lossiemouth?

The RAF hasn't moved back into many US bases due to the hideous cost of redoing all the infrastructure - its all 110V for a start. Seem to remember a plan for the Harrier force to go to Bentwaters that was scuppered for this reason.

Thanks Pr00ne,


so 2 additional Sqns is really 2 Sqns retained.


I was thinking about the recent redundancies at Salmesbury and Warton. Like most organisations the lads doing the job are top notch even if their management is worthy of criticism.

WSOPs/WSOs to serve until 70
 

The ISTAR fleet is ever growing, the sum total of WSOP(EW) trained in the last 5 years is 5 (none of whom have reached the FL yet) with about 100 made redundant. One WSO today proposed keeping me on to 70! I think 55 would be pushing it to be honest.

pr00ne

I believe someone mentioned that a few posts back.

My take is that the 2 extra Sqn's may be split between Lossie and Coningsby, or as I alluded to earlier - maybe the other rumour of Leeming isn't too far fetched (HAS Sites, accomodation etc., readily available).

typerated,

"Thanks Pr00ne,


so 2 additional Sqns is really 2 Sqns retained."


No, Typhoon force to go from five to seven operational squadrons, so that IS two additional squadrons.

...so what year will that actually happen?

Is anyone else confusicated by the "added" JSFs in the early 2020s, and what baseline they were added to?

Or is it still two squadrons and an OCU with 45 jets (plus three in the U.S.)?

Gen dit?

The JF2025 graphic only shows two F35 sqns - assume 617 and 809NAS as announced earlier. The "additional" one appears suspiciously absent....

If it is 801NAS - fantastic news.

It's reassuring that you're as confused by this document as I am, Mr B.

With a full buy of 138 F35s, and assuming 40% for attrition/maintenance/OCU, I make that enough to for 7 Sqns. Assuming both carriers operational with 1x RN* Sqn aboard, that assumes another 2 ashore for work-up, rotation and joint ops deployment. It would therefore seem possible to suggest an RAF wing available for surge carrier ops but otherwise used for current ops - which would fit in with replacing the GR4 wing at MR.

The question then being where will the 2/2 afloat/shore based be based? If would seem sensible to be based down south near the work up areas, but I'm not sure if YVL etc are in the frame to accept them?

*RN meaning RN name-plated. I am assume that, pending a miracle, all with be majority RAF manned for the foreseeable future with just a leavening of RN air and ground crew. How to rectify that economically is, thankfully, not my problem.

My understanding of the F-35 Sqn structure is that each sqn will consist of c55% light blue and 45% dark blue irrespective of the number plate. Personally I believe this to be flawed and foolish, but it will go some way to disguising the Navy's' inability to fully man their posts, in much the same way as they struggled with JFH.
As for basing, Marham is likely the only option given the eye watering amounts needing to be invested down there.

Assuming 2 Sqns afloat that may only be 5 Sqns of aircraft to shoehorn in - but the families won't be going anywhere. Has MR the married quarters for 7 Sqns worth of air and ground crew?

p.s. As an ex-FC the airspace for ACT/PIs of East Anglia was congested 20 years ago, even after WT shut as an AD base. Fitting in even secondary role AD for the MR on top of CY will be lots of fun. Especially if the USAF decide to replace the F15Cs with F-22.....

Interesting.

The full 138 JSFs are "over the life of the programme" (p31). That's waaaaay out there.

Good question, depends how big a sqn is to some extent. If the F-35 is only to be based at Marham how many specialists would buy in the local community

Buy in the local area, on RN/RAF rankers wages? That's a giggle. As a local you must be aware of the house prices that close to London?

I've tried to keep abreast of this debate today and I'm now calling it a night. I'm very wary of Cameron.Some of you are simply swallowing this talk like a gannet fishing in an aquarium. The man has previous on defence, and my honest interpretation of him is he isn't very good at it.
Be wary of him and his intentions. He's had some tough weeks on terrorism, policy and very much on our economy. He is trying to spin out some good intentions. This latest review strikes me as very much cuffed, the way it is penned together. Its very spun.
But please be wary of him. And remember - its your country, your money-not his.
Goodnight.

Plenty have done, especially if the other half has a decent income, and if there's nowhere else to be posted 'cos you know the jet. It could be a worthwhile gamble to go somewhere north of the A47, especially if you don't mind tortoise speed internet and no cellphone signal.