Royal Air Force and Military News.

Seems our Navy brethren are doing the job faster than the MOD would like. Both Pilots safely out it seems, Martin Baker ties in the post. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-cornwall-jet-crash-royal-23792997

As the title says, Red Arrows to move to Waddo... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-52709531

A costly mistake? Or the result of constant downskilling of the aircraft trades? Four of the RAF'S A400 fleet have suffered engine damage due to the lack of aircraft husbandry during a period of high winds. The failure to apply prop blanks has resulted in totally avoidable and inexcusable damages to the fleet. Well done to all involved.

Dan Brown "Surely the RAF Regt days are numbered." Downsizer "That's some statement right there....a lot to unpick there, but for another thread." Anyone ever question the Regiment as they point to the extract of Churchill's speech, about Airmen defending their own airfields when they try to validate the annual gas and shoot sessions. So dear reader are the rocks still relevant to the RAF of today??

So 25 years ago the Military became more open and accepting of others, yet it has taken that long to right some wrongs. Sacked LGBT veterans can reclaim removed medals https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56079009 I know some folk might say that people knew the rules, however if those rules where abhorrent to wider society that just doesn’t stand. Married women, pregnant colleagues and inter rank relationships have all dragged behind the curve over time and the Military has always waited too long to catch up, some good people will have missed out on great careers.

The USAF have announced that 495 Fighter Squadron 'The Valkyries' will be based at RAF Lakenheath with the first jets arriving in late 2021. U.S. Air Force names first overseas-based F-35A Squadron > Royal Air Force Lakenheath > Article Display (af.mil)

So with a promotion to Air vice Marshall he becomes the new boss of Space command. Apparently Space Command will be a Joint Command based at RAF High Wycombe and staffed by personnel from all three services......... Space operations, space workforce generation and space capability will be brought together under a single 2-Star military commander. He has done his research though "Really looking forward to the job .................currently binge-watching Space Force on Netflix for ideas...'" https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9213879/Fighter-pilot-unveiled-head-UKs-new-Space-Command.html

Putting aside our little game of dying celebs. Capt Tom is not well seems the old boy has covid and pneumonia and at his age that is not good. NHS super fund raiser and all that, chin up old chap many many folks will be wishing you all the best. You do have to wonder how on earth he got Covid as a very senior gentleman he presumably was shielding for many months. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9207467/Captain-Tom-Moore-admitted-hospital-testing-positive-Covid-family-reveal.html

Apparently, everybody is listening to more podcasts these days, so the RAF has jumped on the bandwagon. Everything from satellites to padres with haribos. LINK

Surprised to see that the new entry scheme for TG1 Mech and Av will be called Direct Entry Technician.........maybe they thought all old DEs will be long gone but there's still a few of us kicking around!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9071715/British-Army-slash-hundreds-jobs-leaked-documents-reveal.html?ito=whatsapp_share_article-masthead "But documents seen by The Mail on Sunday show a major job-cutting review is under way in the Adjutant General's Corps, although Army sources said any job losses will be through natural wastage rather than redundancies." They’re doing the same to our HR, it’s all going centralised and they’re reducing the trade down too. It's a shame though, but they only have themselves to blame, places were closed more than they were open - "Training days". Mate at another Unit was telling me that during the last few months that you have to email in that you want to speak to HR and they will get...

To the Scottish 'super base' with the Wedgetails. >> Story <<

The best pictures of 2020 from the happy snappers of the F4 and cloudy brigade https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9043989/Stunning-photos-RAF-parachuting-flying-shivering-train-hard-world.html

HMS Prince of Wales has suffered damage to its High Voltage power systems...and will be in repair for around 6 months. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13400921/hms-prince-wales-navy-stranded/

Breaking news armed forces personnel have a block party and get drunk, smash TV etc etc. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8996847/Dozens-Sandhurst-cadets-broke-coronavirus-rules-drunken-party-prestigious-military-academy.html So slapped wrist, extra bull nights and inspections or clap them in irons?

The head line says "UK military to get biggest spending boost in 30 years" but I suspect that while some of it will be new money, some will simply be just money shuffled around from other projects and platforms. Bye bye tanks?? Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said "letting go" of older weapons would create "headroom to invest".... he also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there would potentially be an increase in soldiers working in "electronic warfare, signals intelligence, long-range fires". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54988870

The yanks have done work in this area but it seems the Chinese now have a working version they are happy to brag about. Due to an agreement not use guns and bullets Chinese and Indian troops in recent months have resorted to hand to hand fighting and thrown rocks at each other to wage their border war. Now the Chinese have seemingly stayed within the limits of the "no bullets" treaty and have developed a device that can now microwave the innards of their Indian foes making them throw up and move away from the area. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8957019/China-used-secret-microwave-pulse-weapon-Indian-soldiers.html

This is the Goat the unofficial rumour service about all things RAF. Remembering at all times that OP Sec is paramount But how is the service coping with the dreaded Covid 19? Training establishments I guess are finding it extremely difficult to practice social distancing whether that's Phase 1 initial training with drill, weapon training, classroom sessions etc or Phase 2 training, from memory most of the classrooms at Cosford are to small for 17 people to properly practice 2metre spacings. Out in the wider RAF the working environment must surely have undergone changes in systems. Are haircuts suspended etc etc. So chaps how's is Betty Windsors flying circus coping?

Due to the number of people who drop out and don't get past the early stages of their Army careers recruitment firm Capita have agreed to use Bear Grylls BMF company so folk can prepare for Army life. BMF = Be military Fit. Good idea or not? "His firm will use 'tailored fitness programmes and expertise' to condition new recruits in order to stop so many dropping out. 'The truth is some recruits aren't prepared for the standard of outdoor resilience and fitness that's needed to succeed. 'Around 30,000 men and women are put through to day one of basic training but they lose a lot in the early days,' he (Bear Grylls) said." https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8923861/New-Army-recruits-paces-Bear-Grylls-bootcamp-fitness-firm-BMF.html