Royal Air Force and Military News.

For one of the TG17 guys. PLenty of youngsters forced into isolating in COVIF blocks with scarce luxuries. Can they claim IE, as though they were in the same conditions in a hospital? Newspapers aren't provided nor are free phone calls. The obvious answer is no, as it comes out of somebody's wallet, but why?

Report reckons female members of the armed force s are treated differently by the authorities when making a complaint or an accusation of wrong doing. It questions the "glacial" pace of change amongst the top brass. It's the 21st century and our serving ladies deserve the same treatment and equality of justice as serving blokes. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-57956698 "MPs said they were "truly shocked" by accounts of sexual assault and rape.....The Ministry of Defence said changes had been made to help women.....In a landmark report, MPs on the defence select committee say cases of serious sexual assault and rape should be taken out of the military justice system and tried in civilian courts instead. Convictions for rape in the...

Rumour on Social Media ... . No leave until you have had both Covid jabs. . True or False ?

Spotter saves jet I think this guy deserves a well done for doing the right thing....

Seems there are moves afoot to change the ratio of flight time and Sim time for the two winged master race. "Under current training rules, RAF pilots spend 70 per cent of their time in the air with 30 per cent in simulators. Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said he wants this ratio reversed." "According to The Times pilots will be able to use some of the hours accumulated in the simulator to count towards their qualification as pilots." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9789931/RAF-chiefs-slash-flying-hours-pilots-training.html

How do you find >> him << Guilty or Not Guilty ? Sentencing recommendation ?

I had a chat with what I hope is a complete bullsh1tter today, and I really hope it's bravado and b0llox. I'm out and never lost any of my med cat, so never went anywhere near the non deployable loss of X factor nightmare. Is that a real thing, where the X factor is lost when someone is permanently downgraded? I have heard the stories but thought them just bar talk. The interesting chat today was from a gleeful aviator type on their PAS system, totally downgraded, still PAS and no loss of X factor because of the PAS umbrella. Probably tosh, but it would be interesting to know if X factor really does get taken (not FTRS, but for medical downgrades), and if so is it true that aircrew are protected from that. I'm a little sore that I...

Last week WO Sara Catterall, Command Senior Enlisted Leader at NATO AIRCOM, RAF Diversity Ally & Gender Advisor (try fitting that on a name-tag) announced via Twitter that RAF personnel should refrain from using the term 'guys' when addressing groups of people (post since archived by her). Her tweet has attracted interest and one comment in particular:

The wonderful world of drones moves on another step. Remote air to air refueling of manned aircraft. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9662675/Navys-tanker-drone-makes-history-refueling-manned-aircraft-time.html Yes it's the septics but still.

For those without Facebook ... I wonder how many more jobs are going to be upgraded to keep Group Captains / senior officers in work ?

More money to Boeing but always good news to see investment.... Anyone working on C17's on here? Is this the good news story its sold as? https://www.gov.uk/government/news/274-million-training-boost-for-raf

Is there something happening up around North West Scotland today ? There has been quite a bit of Voyager activity up there today.

It's mental health awareness week and the Armed forces mental fitness champion (Sergeant Major Glenn Haughton) has removed himself from twitter after years of abuse by online trolls, many believed to be fellow soldiers. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9564047/MoD-launches-urgent-probe-trolls-hound-Army-mental-health-champion-Twitter.html I see why he has the job and mental health hasn't exactly been top of the tree for the UK armed forces welfare in the past. However I struggle to understand how a grown man can be upset by a jumbled up bunch of electrons sent over the interweb by some no name keyboard warrior. Touchy hormonal teens who live their lives via Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram etc yes I can see that but an RSM in...

There have been asbestos issues in the past but now this. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9537017/Prince-Williams-fellow-RAF-Sea-King-airman-wins-payout-cancer-linked-helicopter-fumes.html " Flight Sergeant Zach Stubbings, 42, from Cardiff, spent his 15-year RAF career inhaling the fumes from the now-retired aircraft's powerful twin engines. The MoD have been forced to admit that the fumes caused Flight Sergeant Stubbings' bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma, following a six-year legal battle." Yes it's the Mail and journos aren't always accurate but.....

April 28 (UPI) -- The "Wake Island Avengers" squadron of U.S. Marines F-35B fighter planes arrived in Britain on Wednesday to deploy with a British carrier strike force.

Things are getting warmer on the Ukraine border plenty of troop movements and sabre rattling by that nice Mr Putin's chaps. And now we seem to be taking an interest in proceedings. https://londonlovesbusiness.com/raf-squadron-deployed-to-romania-as-russia-prepares-for-war-with-ukraine/ Jingoistic jibberish from the Mail https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9463825/RAF-jets-deployed-Romania-patrol-skies-Black-Sea-Russia-masses-troops.html Bit of background from the Beeb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56720589 Oh dear this has the potential to get properly messy

A Downing Street spokesperson said: "This evening the Prime Minister has accepted the resignation of Johnny Mercer as Minister for Defence People and Veterans. "He thanks Johnny Mercer for his service as a Government Minister since 2019." Will the armed forces miss him ?

Good news for NCA, they’ve been up banded to level 3. Also heard that a new trade, Cyber, has gone in at level 4. I’m no longer in, but does that mean C4I have split down the middle? I’ve not heard about the main problem yet, of armourers being in the wron supp. Absolutely jobs for the boys if you’ve completed lobotomy at Sleaford, as they’re flush enough to pay the same to a pilot as they are to a TDO.

A new housing project has been recommended for approval on the east side of Grantham Road near Waddington. I will give it three days from first occupancy to first noise complaint. >> STORY <<

Anyone know of what call signs the phantoms used whilst in service?