Royal Air Force and Military News.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafconingsby/newsweather/index.cfm?storyid=668760B6-5056-A318-A8752E9199AA55E3 In 1994, whilst on 54(F) Sqn, my three man admin team began to cover our office from 0730-1800 Mon-Thu, because we realised that our night shift Engineers who started at 1630 had to either come in their own time to sort admin out or wait a week until they were on days - neither of which was acceptable to us. Throughout my next two postings on Sqns, right up until 2010 when 1(F) Sqn disbanded I carried on the same format. At three different locations, the PSF management told me that I was "Ar$e wiping". I saw it as "Providing a service". Sure, it was a limited service (1 person stayed late), but it was more than any of my TG17...

This was always the way...if your flight plan had a destination of Gib you knew you were routing down Portugal then hanging a left...so a non-story. However, Not able to defend the Rock? Politically there are arguments for and against in terms of Euro-membership but not the hardware or will to stand to? Surely not? You can easily see Spain's point...it's the equivalent of them occupying a good chunk of Lands End and them claiming it's so they've got a better view of a strategic shipping channel and those naughty French...should we even still be there? http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/670372/Spain-bans-RAF-plane-airspace-Gibraltar-UK-Phillip-Hammond-Brexit-EU-referendum

What say you Techies? How do you get the numbers you need? Is it still that bad? Have Scribblies stole all your money? http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10816792/Air-safety-fears-as-RAF-short-of-hundreds-of-technicians.html

Just watched a documentary on the Invictus Games, which start tonight. It's things like this that make me proud to be British, and I take my hat off to Prince Harry.

Headley Court is to expand it's role not just treating injured servicemen but also veterans with amputation injuries. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36239809 I had a fanciful notion that we only had injured members of the military with some still serving and some no longer serving.

"The F-35 warplane still needs reboots to get the aircraft airborne, a US Senate committee has heard, and troubling problems persist in the project's security." The whole idea of re-setting the thing, [whilst in flight?] is barking; or have I missed something ? Fuller details here LINKY. :PDT_Xtremez_22:

Can one of the Mods please let me know why my fitness test post was removed please? Happy to go by the rules, but a simple message explaining why would have been nice. I think people would be interested to know about the new RAFFT regime, but playing judge and jury without explanation goes against the what the goat stands for.

MP's are talking of losing crown immunity from prosecution for deaths of service personnel in training. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36121463 "The Commons Defence Committee says the MoD should no longer enjoy crown immunity from corporate manslaughter laws in cases of gross negligence...........The lives of serving personnel are worth no less than those of civilians," said the committee..................Those responsible for their deaths must be equally liable under the law." Thoughts of the great and the good of the goat?

An SNP MP has secured a debate at the House of Commons for a debate on issuing a National Defence medal. Valid question or just another excuse for more grievance from the nationalists? http://www.insidemoray.com/move-to-debate-campaign-for-national-defence-medal/

It's on the Lincolnite...so must be true. http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2015/09/raf-waddington-air-show-scrapped-for-good/

I'll bet the Microlight pilot had brown pants afterwards. Linky

Plans are in motion to chop the ATC glider squadrons from 26 down to 12 and reduce the fleet down to 88 frames. There are seemingly 40,00 of the little ATC cherubs out there. So large numbers of spaceys could soon be missing out on flying experiences. With a reducing RAF surely it makes sense to have smaller ATC or is it still a vital recruiting tool. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3500365/Young-pilots-grounded-Air-Cadets-halve-flying-volunteer-glider-squadrons.html

Looks like its 1% across the board (as we already knew). No increase in SFA in preperation for transition to CAAS. Small increase on some SLA and in food charge Loads more details in the DIN

Given that the modern aircraft has miles of software code, it's reasonable to expect a few problems at times. But with the Radar ? See HERE

The Government has released details of the injuries suffered by UK Armed Forces during Op Herrick. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/types-of-injuries-sustained-by-uk-service-personnel-on-operations-in-afghanistan-op-herrick-1-april-2006-to-30-november-2014

WTF?! You mean you don't want to work 60 hour weeks for around 25k and be accused of just about anything to get out of homework or poor behaviour (show me on teddy etc etc) Thoughts on this? Is the job market to rich elsewhere? Are servicemen the right candidates for going into schools and teaching? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35595424

Anybody know him and can give us an insight?

*Swallows Pride* Ex-RAFP is rewarded for his services to the community...well done fella! So many ex-servicemen work their rocks off and never get the recognition (nor do they seek it generally) so it's great to see it happen here... http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/devizesheadlines/14247508.Ex_RAF_policeman_receives_medal_for_services_to_community/

Flying training will continue at Valley until at least 2033 after MoD chucks a shed load of cash at it... Nicely isolated but I wonder how many flying days are lost due to being on the West coast? http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/158202/jet-pilot-training-at-raf-valley-secured-until-at-least-2033-after-1-1bn-mod-investment.aspx

It's in the Daily Hate but no smoke without fire? I've often wondered what would be found if you scratched the surface of this giant.... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3435347/Help-Heroes-shock-charity-probe-Charity-Commission-investigating-claims-soldiers-welfare-risk-whistleblowers-complain-bullying-seven-staff-quit.html