Royal Air Force and Military News.

Just announced on BBC news that all of RAF Halton is to close in the next 6 yrs. Sad times:PDT_Xtremez_21:

I may well be out of touch here, but it seems like the youngsters around my place don't want 20/22 year engagements. They seem set purely on 12 and in the mean time they are getting every civvy qual they can. There's a thread on prune about us reaching terminal velocity on people exiting. I kind of see it where I am, with around 2/3 leaving a month out of over 200. Don't get me wrong it's split 50:50 between engagements ending and ETs. I won't talk ballox to those that come and chat, if their plan is good and in their interest then someone at Wycombe gets to ding the bell. Even if I challenge them they're already 70% there on their decision. Unhelpful rumours about drastic cuts to allowances (read LSA) are killing the spirit in it's...

So, we got briefed earlier today about the rollout of Modweb here in the West Mids next March to replace DII. The key highlight point appears to be the fact that the normal desk phones will be almost completely removed and replaced by a web-based Skype types system where everyone will have their own 'phone number'. The key point appears to be that in order to talk to someone in another section two things need to happen: -You need to know the name of the person you are calling so as to find their number and.. -They need to be online at the time in order to receive the call. Wait, what? That has been miscommunicated or misunderstood surely? In order to ring, say, Tmech or C4I I need to know the actual name of someone in the section so I...

>> BBC Linky Thingy << My bet is some kind of UAV or more likely some new Hawk T2s.

So the IBN was released today stating that all Officers will now be able to earn the LS&GCM and not just those who have commissioned from the ranks. Do the Goaters think that this is a change that should have been made years ago or should it remain a medal for only non-commissioned personnel?

Firstly, congratulations to Mr. Crossley on his appointment. Secondly, can someone please explain to old geezers like me, what is the WO rank badge all about?

I was curious in how many RAF REG personal lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Good news all round, Linky thingy https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/female-soldiers-given-frontline-combat-roles/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37391804 In what now a trend another recently retired member of the top brass is saying the force are to small, all front end and no support. "In a memo before he retired in April as head of Joint Forces Command, Gen Sir Richard Barrons said key capabilities had been stripped out to save money.......Whitehall was "preserving the shop window" with items like aircraft carriers......Capability that is foundational to all major armed forces has been withered by design..........Neither the UK homeland nor a deployed force could be protected from a concerted Russian air effort."

So the public can now vote for the best RAF picture of the year. Go pick your favourite, and don't forget, entries close on Sept 11th http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3743569/The-sky-s-limit-photographers-capturing-men-women-cutting-edge-machines-defend-nation-series-mesmerising-images.html Hope the dog has put it in neutral, applied the hand brake and removed the keys before leaving the vehicle

Reports are in the media About a RAF Helicopter crashing in Snowdonia and starting a mountain top fire. LINK

If you live in the SW of England, watch out for this stolen Xv Sqn Navs gear doing the rounds anywhere http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/father-left-devastated-after-thieves-stole-dead-son-s-gulf-war-medal-and-jacket/story-29597664-detail/story.html#DxEikpkl1UMzBKbp.01%23

Just heard this on BFBS http://www.forces.tv/98339400 Think someone's in the clag!!

Just noticed on the RAF website that there is a new Chief of the Air Staff. When did that happen? There is nothing in the news section, just in the Senior Commanders list.

The USAF has plans to use enlisted personnel as RQ-4 Global Hawk pilots. >> Linky Thingy << What is the likelihood of the RAF following suit or will the 'twin wing brevet' be forever the domain of the officer corps?

"Economic changes after the vote to leave the European Union could see the defence budget reduced in real terms, a committee of MPs and peers says. The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy says security review planning, conducted once or twice a decade, should begin "immediately"." So if you're in charge of theoretical SDSR16, where would your axe fall? How much more of a hammering can we take? Oh, and you're not allowed to touch manpower levels apparently "[T]he committee says that "the manpower fielded by the UK armed forces is inadequate bearing in mind the range, complexity and potential concurrency of tasks expected of them".". Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36756877

So, under the proposed Future Accommodation Model (FAM), we will be offered further help to either buy or rent in the local area. What are people's views on this. For more info, look for the FAM page on the Intranet

Apparently they're sorry... Anyone living in a sh1thole? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/08/contractor-responsible-for-horrendous-maintenance-standards-of-m/

Numbers are down.... https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/527838/Monthly_service_personnel_statistics-May_2016.pdf Or up...depends how you spin in..

What an industrial scale idiot (if he's guilty). Making fake IED's and grenade launchers to impress your bit on the side and then posting pictures and video of you doing it online for the red caps to find. Prat. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3625555/Queen-s-guardsman-arrested-making-IED-bomb-just-mile-Windsor-Castle.html