At last....at last....the first sensible discussion on the UK AH that I have seen on both PPRUNE and ARRSE. Thank you Reality Check and Magic. What is slightly heartening is that Reality, you obviously know your stuff and I hazard a guess are in a position to do someting about it. Magic - thank you for some well balanced and researched/experienced comments. At last a crab that responds to banter - there is a future for jointery once we get rid of the tribal dinosaurs!
Firstly, how do we get this thread either onto or linked to PPRUNE (I could dream that hits CDS' desk to give him a flavour of his grass roots feeling on the subject!) as I believe that we would all benefit from a wider audience and I am sure that we have hit the crest of the 'willy' wave (ing) and realise whether it is rounds down range or a Joint Personnel Recovery task - we all need AH and its obvious capability should shorten any future conflict, which means we get home to family sooner!
Secondly, as to the digitization issues. I believe that the Corps is on the case - but it could improve if some people actually tried to read into and understand the issues. ***** (fast software protocol) rather than the Jags ******* (slower software protocol) must surely be the way ahead, especially as we will not be able to afford **** (very fast US software protocol) for a while (unless Gordon realises exactly how important this network centric thingy is and handsover the dosh to the DECs!).
Naturally, I do not want to 'beadwindow' myself, but lets get the GR7 mates IDM'd and the Jags off their poxy slow software protocol (equivalent to an A road) and onto fast protocol (8 lane motorway). The depth fire MLRS boys can actually know their system and realise that they do have the capability (albeit only slow protocol at the moment) and maybe look inside the box in their wagons!
However, I totally agree with both RC and MM - it has to be co-ordinated from the highest level (DECs and CDS) to ensure that 'peeing on fires' does not take place by those 'career chasers' that believe that they are defending their 'Service' corner. AH is virtually already swept up digitally (as a platform), but even this aircraft cannot fight alone and requires Joint and Combined integration (50% of 101 st's kicking). Someone please tell me why there isn't a DEC co-ordinating all of the mission planning equipment - MPS, TAMPA , HAMPA and the future BISAs?
Other points - at last the penny has dropped! 3 Shock Army are not coming through the ******* Gap! If they are it will take a long Transition To War to achieve. Therefore, lets look at the capability and the effect required. Sorry 16 AAB - your good, but you are not the only 'boys in town'. Obviously the SF boys will need support and also the Royal Marines - and these cannot be done on the usual AAC shoe string, lets not train with them, or vary the environment and try and cuff it on the day routine....(mirror and then lets look at ourselves). There needs to be regular training in these special/different environments (i.e. put your hands in your pockets and fork out for exercises in the jungle, snow, desert, mountains, red air/helo, EW etc). If not, another Task Force Hawk could lose some of our limited precious aircraft in a theatre, not due to hostile fire - but accidents as untrained crews get a grip with recirculation, hot and high, night flight over the sea/deck landings etc. Lets allow the civvies to do a Risk Assesment prior to operations if we do not train - and then lets allow the wives/families to sue as a proper duty of care has not been conducted in allowing crews to conduct tasks that they have not been properly trained for. Gosh was that a pig flying by with an AR5 on - surely not, as we don't train with AR5 as they will be replaced!
Possible suggestion - 3+4 Regt remain with Wattisham, 9 Regt close - 1 x AH Sqn (with IDM capable BLUH) to Yeovilton and 1 x AH Sqn to wherever the SF boys are? :

The people that you are most likely to work with are on your doorstep, not only for flying training, exercises, but the often forgotten ethos, esprit de corps, loyalty, intimate knowledge of SOPs/SOIs etc. Wattisham can then become the AH training location and also provide the 16 AAB High Readiness force (plus back fill from the training set up if required - all on the door step).
Training is everything (just look at the SF boys) and MM it is music to my ears to hear you say lets sort it out. You are so right, how many cabs get airborne in UK of all 3 services and of all types and just turn AVTUR into fumes. Does PJHQ have a J7 training function that can knock Fleet, Land and Strike's heads together to put out a Joint flypro! The annual NITEX/JMCs/QHTI courses can't be the only opportunity for this. How many tanks (sorry targets) rumble across Salisbury Plain that with no extra effort could be used by the other Arms/Services?
What a ramble I know - but at last, instead of mindless drivel about 'I can fly better than you' some people are obviously on the case. Great news - lets keep it that way.
Oh and by the way crabbo - if we share a hotel your mini-bar will be the first casualty of war. You will be calling 'tumbleweed' and 'bogey dope' before you know it and your picture will certainly not be clara!
