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Never Alert
Guest
In fairness, Norwich is a far better location than Boulmer!
More sun, more pubs nearby and less Americans in the area!
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In fairness, Norwich is a far better location than Boulmer!
More sun, more pubs nearby and less Americans in the area!
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BufferBird
Guest
That and a co-location with Colt Tech (RIP)!!(Colt not him!) No other colocated post where we could live together, bit crap for our kids.
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NotAnIDOYet
Guest
Scampton, Waddington, 1ACC perhaps??
Surely even Colt techs have to be posted somewhere...
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BufferBird
Guest
Not when everybody is bombursting out of the unit! I was told 2 weeks off having my second child, and still at work, that I was posted to Boulmer but could not take my kids with me, as all the accomodation was allocated, (Neat was closing too don't forget) Their Dad was out of the country 5 months of the year and I was told it wasnt the Airforce's Problem.
In their infinite wisdom they then decided to post him to Odiz. It isnt their problem anymore.
Please bare in mind that if I was told I would have had to go OOA for 6 months, I would have gladly gone - that is what you are trained and paid to do, but surely We are entitled to some resemblance of a settled home life? Wether we take the Queen's Shilling or not?
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NotAnIDOYet
Guest
The whole 2 in with kids is a debate for another day!!
Money was the issue with the move, everyone knew colt would go and there was no money for new build accomodation at Neat. Remember that defence estates do not own the land at Boulmer and suddenly the finances make sense regardless of the personal cost. Not necessarily right but we are all numbers to the bean-counter types at HQland.
Having never been posted to a TG12 unit south of Boulmer I can't see what all the fuss is about Neat though
DT_Xtremez_31:
B
BufferBird
Guest
The whole 2 in with kids is a debate for another day!!
Having never been posted to a TG12 unit south of Boulmer I can't see what all the fuss is about Neat though
errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! There is Gert Yurmoof!! Honestly though it isnt quite so isolated as the other Scopie Units. Norwich really was top, when I were young!! The shopping is great!
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BufferBird
Guest
Nope, but she's my mate!!! VF??
Yep, she was my Cpl when I was a lil LAC!!!!!
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NotAnIDOYet
Guest
Just by chance Stingray, would you be related in a remote way to a former WO-man of the Buchan parish?
Nope sorry not me!!!
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As I said in another post - an extreme example in empire building. So many checks, counter-checks, checks on checkers, checks on checker checkers - I wonder how they manage do any courses in the first place! Out of 8 dets, 6 were on courses, AAAAARGH!
P.S. Is there an SOC South, now Neat's gone? Is there any other unit that could compare with the nearness of lots of shops and clubs within 15-20 mins drive. Strike out Lincoln, unless you like gun crime!
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nofinliver
Guest
Quite agree, since the drastic closure of glorious Neatishead things have really gone swirling down the big brown Pan. I have recently managed to be posted out of a CRC but everyone in the trade seems s*** scared of being posted back into one. Problem is too many people and not enough for them to do!! As for Scampton, my god. That has got to be one of the worst F*** ups the Air Farce has managed to achieve! How much did it cost? To bloody much!
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C_Cret
Guest
I think they should get rid of Boulmer totally, the bunker is expensive to run compared to an above ground facility (AGF), plus an AGF would be a lot better for troops morale (y'know windows an all that!!).
Merge the SoFC with CATCS ASAP and the 2 trades can amalgamate in double time leading to a wider variety of postings and responsibilities.
Ramp up CRC Scampton with the option of having controllers at CY for face2face briefs or alternatively have the jets land at Scampton and count it as a land-away!!!
Much better connectivity on the whole with E3 Force, 1ACC & AD A/C.
Plus the added benefit of having an identity and history to be proud (617) and all that whilst living alongside a 'proper' RAF camp. TG12 is so secular that you ask a Eng Tech(MECH) who they are and they look at you in amazement saying 'Scopies??? What the fcuk do they do then? What a/c type do they work on?' (may get that response anyway....gimps)
Also, so that new entrants don't PVR as soon as they pass TATs, thinking that 'this isn't the real Air Force', there are some lovely little red planes to watch on days off!"!!
End of....any comments?
Merge the SoFC with CATCS ASAP and the 2 trades can amalgamate in double time leading to a wider variety of postings and responsibilities.
Ramp up CRC Scampton with the option of having controllers at CY for face2face briefs or alternatively have the jets land at Scampton and count it as a land-away!!!
Much better connectivity on the whole with E3 Force, 1ACC & AD A/C.
Plus the added benefit of having an identity and history to be proud (617) and all that whilst living alongside a 'proper' RAF camp. TG12 is so secular that you ask a Eng Tech(MECH) who they are and they look at you in amazement saying 'Scopies??? What the fcuk do they do then? What a/c type do they work on?' (may get that response anyway....gimps)
Also, so that new entrants don't PVR as soon as they pass TATs, thinking that 'this isn't the real Air Force', there are some lovely little red planes to watch on days off!"!!
End of....any comments?
Fearless Leader
Corporal
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The setting up of the new CRC at Scampton was an expensive clusterf**k. I think the problems at Boulmer are not related to its underground environment and are more related to the unpleasant work atmosphere - which would exist above ground as well. What's needed is a hard look at what we do, how we do it and why we do it within the trade.
Simply moving to Scampton lock, stock and barrel would not improve the problems at the heart of the trade. We don't need to latch on to the kudos of 617, we had a wealth of that at Bentley Priory and it didn't improve the situation within the trade. By trying to feed off someone's else past glories, we ignore all the positives about what the trade has achieved since its inception.
And as for the real Air Force, what is that? I think flim-flam gestures like relocating us closer to the rest of the service and the so called 'advantages' of face-to-face debriefs are nothing if we do not look hard at what we are supposed to be about.
Your post C-Cret reminds me of a certain snooty TG12 Cpl several years ago sneering at me during a Bolthole to Buchan from Neatishead. When she asked me where the nearest Macdonalds was, I replied that I didn't join the service to be tied to my mother's apron strings and for her information it was about 2 miles away... (A new one having just opened!)
When I visited the sunny climes of Neatishead a little while later, I couldn't believe the insularity and pigheadedness that was there in comparison to Buchan. It wasn't a trade phenomenon C_Cret, it was all the inbreds at Neatishead - who funny old thing are all now at Boulmer in the CRC...
Simply moving to Scampton lock, stock and barrel would not improve the problems at the heart of the trade. We don't need to latch on to the kudos of 617, we had a wealth of that at Bentley Priory and it didn't improve the situation within the trade. By trying to feed off someone's else past glories, we ignore all the positives about what the trade has achieved since its inception.
And as for the real Air Force, what is that? I think flim-flam gestures like relocating us closer to the rest of the service and the so called 'advantages' of face-to-face debriefs are nothing if we do not look hard at what we are supposed to be about.
Your post C-Cret reminds me of a certain snooty TG12 Cpl several years ago sneering at me during a Bolthole to Buchan from Neatishead. When she asked me where the nearest Macdonalds was, I replied that I didn't join the service to be tied to my mother's apron strings and for her information it was about 2 miles away... (A new one having just opened!)
When I visited the sunny climes of Neatishead a little while later, I couldn't believe the insularity and pigheadedness that was there in comparison to Buchan. It wasn't a trade phenomenon C_Cret, it was all the inbreds at Neatishead - who funny old thing are all now at Boulmer in the CRC...
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Never Alert
Guest
I think you have a good point about Boulmer's morale problem being deeper than the fact that the R3 sucks the life out of you. Bottom line is that it is far too top heavy with rank & people are reluctant to make too may noises.
Scampton is working matey, plain and simple. The cluster was the idea of the A6 hub coming here, that was never going to work. As it stands now, the CRC, Reds and MMU are making a nice little unit on which most of the guys are happy. We take plenty f the weapons trade and, given a little more manpower, the surv guys could help out more too (the IDOs that are here work hard due to the fact that there are so few of them available at any one time).
From a professional point of view, I will progress as a controller far quicker here than I would at Boulmer, less of a queue for training and a much more 'in at the deep end' attitude which is allowing me to have at sorties that I would not get a look in for at Boulmer.
As far as the history of the station goes, I have to say that most of the guys are very aware of it. We are in the real air force here & TG12 & FCs do not have the monopoly here at all.
Sunset parade last week had the Reds doing a display at 1700 with a Spitfire buzzing the hell out of the Sgts Mess at 1900 for four or five passes. Nobody denied enjoyed seeing the BBMF coming over, top stuff.
Scampton is working matey, plain and simple. The cluster was the idea of the A6 hub coming here, that was never going to work. As it stands now, the CRC, Reds and MMU are making a nice little unit on which most of the guys are happy. We take plenty f the weapons trade and, given a little more manpower, the surv guys could help out more too (the IDOs that are here work hard due to the fact that there are so few of them available at any one time).
From a professional point of view, I will progress as a controller far quicker here than I would at Boulmer, less of a queue for training and a much more 'in at the deep end' attitude which is allowing me to have at sorties that I would not get a look in for at Boulmer.
As far as the history of the station goes, I have to say that most of the guys are very aware of it. We are in the real air force here & TG12 & FCs do not have the monopoly here at all.
Sunset parade last week had the Reds doing a display at 1700 with a Spitfire buzzing the hell out of the Sgts Mess at 1900 for four or five passes. Nobody denied enjoyed seeing the BBMF coming over, top stuff.
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C_Cret
Guest
The setting up of the new CRC at Scampton was an expensive clusterf**k. [Maybe, but it has happened non-the-less!! Plus there needs to be redundancy in the C2 system] I think the problems at Boulmer are not related to its underground environment and are more related to the unpleasant work atmosphere - which would exist above ground as well. What's needed is a hard look at what we do, how we do it and why we do it within the trade. [Agree with last sentence - Hence a merger with another TG? Would it bring new life and soul into the diminishing morale? (well, for TG12 it would, i'm not sure if TG9 would be too pleased - would help out with their manning levels!!)]
Simply moving to Scampton lock, stock and barrel would not improve the problems at the heart of the trade. (I'm not sure the trade isn't as bad as you make out, from where i'm standing there are good things at both SA & BL) We don't need to latch on to the kudos of 617, we had a wealth of that at Bentley Priory and it didn't improve the situation within the trade. (Why not have something to be proud of?) By trying to feed off someone's else past glories, we ignore all the positives about what the trade has achieved since its inception. (Then embrace both 'past glories' alongside more recent ones and give the TG some identity!! - Photos of old ops rooms and radars along the corridor in the bunker don't count!!)
And as for the real Air Force, what is that? (Living on a base with multitudes of other trades and where aircraft fly?) I think flim-flam gestures like relocating us closer to the rest of the service and the so called 'advantages' of face-to-face debriefs are nothing if we do not look hard at what we are supposed to be about. (Again, being secluded in an underground environment where aircrew cannot interact with us other than on the end of a radio or phone seems to be an anchor for the trade, we need to interact more with flying sqns if the trade is to move forward at all - Keyword: exposure??)
Your post C-Cret reminds me of a certain snooty TG12 Cpl (not many of those knocking around!?) several years ago sneering at me during a Bolthole to Buchan from Neatishead. When she asked me where the nearest Macdonalds was, I replied that I didn't join the service to be tied to my mother's apron strings (What's the price of fish nowadays?) and for her information it was about 2 miles away... (A new one having just opened!) (Yeah, remember it well, good running route through Boddam past the power station along the coast and back along the A90 past Maccie D's)
When I visited the sunny climes of Neatishead a little while later, I couldn't believe the insularity and pigheadedness that was there in comparison to Buchan. It wasn't a trade phenomenon C_Cret, it was all the inbreds at Neatishead - who funny old thing are all now at Boulmer in the CRC...(Possibly FL, however, BL is still a Phase II training establishment, standards need to be upheld - so some pigheadedness is expected. That said, I do agree that the mentality of some at BL towards a fair dual CRC state with SA is very bad.
Never Alert made some good points about the 'in at the deep end' attitude to training and that SA is part of the real air force - not being the majority definatley matters.
I really belive that much can and will be achieved with the trade, it just needs some trimming of single-minded people!
Simply moving to Scampton lock, stock and barrel would not improve the problems at the heart of the trade. (I'm not sure the trade isn't as bad as you make out, from where i'm standing there are good things at both SA & BL) We don't need to latch on to the kudos of 617, we had a wealth of that at Bentley Priory and it didn't improve the situation within the trade. (Why not have something to be proud of?) By trying to feed off someone's else past glories, we ignore all the positives about what the trade has achieved since its inception. (Then embrace both 'past glories' alongside more recent ones and give the TG some identity!! - Photos of old ops rooms and radars along the corridor in the bunker don't count!!)
And as for the real Air Force, what is that? (Living on a base with multitudes of other trades and where aircraft fly?) I think flim-flam gestures like relocating us closer to the rest of the service and the so called 'advantages' of face-to-face debriefs are nothing if we do not look hard at what we are supposed to be about. (Again, being secluded in an underground environment where aircrew cannot interact with us other than on the end of a radio or phone seems to be an anchor for the trade, we need to interact more with flying sqns if the trade is to move forward at all - Keyword: exposure??)
Your post C-Cret reminds me of a certain snooty TG12 Cpl (not many of those knocking around!?) several years ago sneering at me during a Bolthole to Buchan from Neatishead. When she asked me where the nearest Macdonalds was, I replied that I didn't join the service to be tied to my mother's apron strings (What's the price of fish nowadays?) and for her information it was about 2 miles away... (A new one having just opened!) (Yeah, remember it well, good running route through Boddam past the power station along the coast and back along the A90 past Maccie D's)
When I visited the sunny climes of Neatishead a little while later, I couldn't believe the insularity and pigheadedness that was there in comparison to Buchan. It wasn't a trade phenomenon C_Cret, it was all the inbreds at Neatishead - who funny old thing are all now at Boulmer in the CRC...(Possibly FL, however, BL is still a Phase II training establishment, standards need to be upheld - so some pigheadedness is expected. That said, I do agree that the mentality of some at BL towards a fair dual CRC state with SA is very bad.
Never Alert made some good points about the 'in at the deep end' attitude to training and that SA is part of the real air force - not being the majority definatley matters.
I really belive that much can and will be achieved with the trade, it just needs some trimming of single-minded people!
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nofinliver
Guest
What about having a mini crc at each flying base for control purposes by remote workstations and leaving all the surveillance stuff to high wycombe(CAOC) ( but with extra ido's). This would mean more postings, better communication between contollers and aircrew and hopefully increaed morale. Place the SFC at Scampton at leave them to it. That way we can leave Boulmer all together( and the inbred freaks of Alnwick, who cause no end of grief) behind, plus saving money which at the end of the day is the big wigs main concern. The main problem with our trade is that we never see anything else of the Air Force apart from our cosy little bunker! Let's get TG12 expeditionary. We have so much to give as 16aab and RAPTroop have proved. Stop whinging and get the trade moving forward for all our sakes. Guys, start putting these sort of suggestions forward. If you have an idea to help promote the service we can provide, shout it out!!
DT_Xtremez_30:
DT_Xtremez_30:
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NotAnIDOYet
Guest
Nofinliver,
To answer some of your questions...
"What about having a mini crc at each flying base for control purposes by remote workstations and leaving all the surveillance stuff - you mean the core role of TG12! to high wycombe(CAOC) ( but with extra ido's) When High Wycombe has accomodation problems already where does everyone stay?. This would mean more postings Not really, replace Scampton/Boulmer with Leuchars/Conningsby equals the same number of bases, better communication between contollers and aircrew and hopefully increaed morale - Moving personnnel does not instantly increase morale, other factors (housing, facilities etc) have to be considered. Place the SFC at Scampton Where?? at leave them to it. That way we can leave Boulmer all together( and the inbred freaks of Alnwick, who cause no end of grief - Got into a bit of trouble being an arrogant RAF W****r in town did we? ) behind, plus saving money How does more equipment save money? which at the end of the day is the big wigs main concern. The main problem with our trade is that we never see anything else of the Air Force apart from our cosy little bunker! Let's get TG12 expeditionary (erm 1ACC/C-RAM?). We have so much to give as 16aab and RAPTroop have proved. Stop whinging and get the trade moving forward for all our sakes. Guys, start putting these sort of suggestions forward. If you have an idea to help promote the service we can provide, shout it out!!
DT_Xtremez_30:
To answer some of your questions...
"What about having a mini crc at each flying base for control purposes by remote workstations and leaving all the surveillance stuff - you mean the core role of TG12! to high wycombe(CAOC) ( but with extra ido's) When High Wycombe has accomodation problems already where does everyone stay?. This would mean more postings Not really, replace Scampton/Boulmer with Leuchars/Conningsby equals the same number of bases, better communication between contollers and aircrew and hopefully increaed morale - Moving personnnel does not instantly increase morale, other factors (housing, facilities etc) have to be considered. Place the SFC at Scampton Where?? at leave them to it. That way we can leave Boulmer all together( and the inbred freaks of Alnwick, who cause no end of grief - Got into a bit of trouble being an arrogant RAF W****r in town did we? ) behind, plus saving money How does more equipment save money? which at the end of the day is the big wigs main concern. The main problem with our trade is that we never see anything else of the Air Force apart from our cosy little bunker! Let's get TG12 expeditionary (erm 1ACC/C-RAM?). We have so much to give as 16aab and RAPTroop have proved. Stop whinging and get the trade moving forward for all our sakes. Guys, start putting these sort of suggestions forward. If you have an idea to help promote the service we can provide, shout it out!!
DT_Xtremez_30:Fearless Leader
Corporal
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I didn't the idea of Scampton was a foul-up, I meant the way the idea was implemented. I realise that plans have to change but for goodness sake, the muppetry alarm was honking during the whole planning and execution of that!
NAIDOY, I agree with much of what you're saying but surely the problem is that powers-that-be are too tied in to their own idea of what the Service is about and as a result the support trades and branches are going to suffer as a result of the hegemony of the 2-winged master race.
NAIDOY, I agree with much of what you're saying but surely the problem is that powers-that-be are too tied in to their own idea of what the Service is about and as a result the support trades and branches are going to suffer as a result of the hegemony of the 2-winged master race.