More cuts in the RAF

[AndyG]

The two bases to be scrapped have not yet been named but it is believed that one of them is Odiham, Hampshire, home of the RAF’s Chinook fleet. It is seen as being the most vulnerable because its prime position within the extended London commuter belt would make its sale highly profitable.

Think this is a little bit of lazy journalism.

Personally I think you're right Pringle. This all strikes me as a typical bit of pre-CSR lobbying on the part of Whitehall, we usually get these stories and 'accidentally' leaked memos when the Comprehensive Spending Review comes around; all the departments are jockeying for position, and trying to ensure they get as large a slice of the cake as possible. Some of it may well turn out to be true, but I'll be surprised if it is anywhere near as draconian as this report makes it seem.

Le If, "you get the goverment you deserve"? While Clinton did make 'defense' spending cuts they were, in reality, pretty much a continuation of the previous administrations existing programs. Clinton's period of office saw a great deal of modernisation, building on the lessons learnt in Gulf War I; the current A-10C program has its roots in that period, as do many of the current UCAVs - and let's not forget George Snr was about to can the A-10!! Clinton's insistence in not using ground troops in the Balkans, while irritating to his NATO allies, did mean that this campaign was carried out (pretty successfully) with no casualties; and it effectively was the 'Clinton military' that invaded Afghanistan, a very successful operation - it is the Bush military that has managed to make that into a bloody mess.

The Clinton military was fit for purpose, the current US military is having to do the best it can while their current leader does his level best to chop their legs off!

Sorry, IMHO!! ;-)

Techy, "Bring back Maggie (she loved the forces) ", didn't she nearly sell Invincible to the Aussies?

No need to open the worm can, that's my job! ;-)

Andy

[Trev Clark]

I think the cuts may be justified IF the cold war had ended and we all lived happily ever after, this government has sent more UK forces into action than most, they should be a little careful squeezing the bottom end of the MOD toothpaste tube, it might just burst!!! Still, whatever colour the government is, the services will always be a soft target for the civil service flunkies, they seldom suffer these sort of cuts.

[AndyG]

....they seldom suffer these sort of cuts.

[Techy111]

Techy, "Bring back Maggie (she loved the forces) ", didn't she nearly sell Invincible to the Aussies?

No need to open the worm can, that's my job! ;-)

Andy

Ahhhhh but she didn't Gawd bless her and all who sail in her.....Gonna start a "save Odiham" campaign...

Tony

[Chris558]

With the 'Bear' testing our defences again recently, the Government should think again.

In my opinion, there should always be some front line stuff in reserve, and a few dormant Airfields left intact. You never know what's round the corner.

[jab]

Tony[/quote]
Im up for that
The RN and now RAF :@ its just getting Stupid we have all got to buy some aircraft fit machine guns rockets and Bombs on them and defend the country are self's Where will the Chinooks go if RAF Odiham is closed.? :@

Gonna start a "save Odiham" campaign...

Wonder if a petition is in order ;-)


But its only the Times no where else as this news so maybe its not true fingers crossed.




James

[ukmil]

I was at Odiham from 1999-2004, and during that time, they were planing to close it, and move it to Yeovilton. they went through the planning and costing, and the main issue was the old land. since the MOD do not own the land that odiham is on, and is leased, it MUST be returned in the state it was leased, which is as farmland. So the MOD must bulldoze the camp, and lave it flat before handing back. This cost stopped the move then, and I wonder if it will stop it again. The last I heard, 2 poss locations for the Chinnies if the close goes ahead, are Honington or Leeming

[Pringle]

The last I heard, 2 poss locations for the Chinnies if the close goes ahead, are Honington or Leeming

These are both new location to me! Stn Cdr at Benson briefed something very different about 3 months ago :think:

[Hot_Charlie]

The last I heard, 2 poss locations for the Chinnies if the close goes ahead, are Honington or Leeming

These are both new location to me! Stn Cdr at Benson briefed something very different about 3 months ago :think:

My guess is at them moment not even their lordships know were they want the SH fleet - other than at anywhere but Odiham...

Leeming sounds bizarrely sensible, particularly if Benson was kept, with its proximity to Catterick/Otterburn etc. I believe the Apaches have left Dishforth too (or is my mind playing tricks on me?), so another piece of estate in the area too...

[jab]

2 poss locations for the Chinnies if the close goes ahead, are Honington or Leeming

I did hear that RAF leeming could go all Chopper when 25 sqn leaves and not sure what happens to 100 sqn maybe go to RAF Valley But I did hear that RAF Scampton might be going next year or the year after as the Reds where looking to move to elsewhere or even go to RAF Leeming?



James