Remember these lads

[leefer]

Heard today that we have 500 fighting and other helicopters in our arsenal......just 30 are in Afghanistan...its all about money,if we havnt got the money to fight a far away war then we shouldnt be there.....most of these men who are dying are young men and in my opinion 18 year olds shouldnt be in any combat in our services.

[pumbaa]

Problem is leefer old bean, is that half our equipment isn't 'available' for the troops to use for reasons various. Lack of spares, not configured for a hot climate etc.

As I said previously, the defence strategy over many years - since the collapse of the Berlin Wall and Eastern Block - has not adapted to the new threats. Lessons were not learned from Gulf War I. Its in the process of transition, but it takes decades to actually realise and we're left with a host of legacy kit that is next to useless in the current operational climate. Like Challenger 2. And we have over 200 of the fucking things!

[leefer]

A really silly question here.....how do they get helicopters to Afghanistan...transport them in big planes or do they fly out and keep refueling..serious question?

[michael]

I'd have decent money on them being transported out there on ruddy great big boats.

[Samdy Gray]

Through Pakistan I believe.

[pumbaa]

Probably a combo of all the above. You can certainly get an Apache in the back of a C17, but you certainly would need to physically fly or float a Chinook out there.

Although I don't think (I may be mistaken) that we have the ability to do air-to-air refuelling on Chinooks as yet.....another project shit-canned through need to find savings......

[Berniman]

A really silly question here.....how do they get helicopters to Afghanistan...transport them in big planes or do they fly out and keep refueling..serious question?

I have been watching a program on Channel 5 on Friday nights called Airforce Afganistan and they transported one out there in last weeks program.

Take apart the rotar blades and engines on top, load them inside and then wheel it into the back of one of those big fuck off jet things you see flying around Swindon sometimes that are based at Brize!

Apparently flying them out there would reduce the amount of time that the Chinooks could stay out there because each one has to come back for a refurbish every 6 months or so many flying hours.

They only have 6 Chinooks out there in total, with a 7th that is always either in transit between the UK or being refurbed if you catch my drift!

Fucking hell, I do believe I have learnt something from a Channel 5 program.

I thank you!

[Phil_S]

Thing is I'm not sure who is to blame.
The MoD appears to be stuffed with idiots who are more concerned about plkants for their offices than providing for the guys on the front line. The government continually cut the budget, & spin/ lie to the public about it. FFS the defence minister these days also has responsibility for something else because defence isn't important enough for the sole attentions of one of the great & good.
Ultimately I guess it's the person(s) in charge who should but won't carry the can.

[pumbaa]

Just watching Air Force Afghanistan on Channel 5 - first time I've seen it.

Chuffed to fucking bits to see the C-130J landing on that dirt strip, given I was responsible for the trials programme that made that happen.

[Bob's Orange]

Oldest survivor of WW1 has died.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8157128.stm

RIP

[leefer]

Saw that Bob...113 is an amazing age...RIP indeed.

[Phil_S]

Heard today that we have 500 fighting and other helicopters in our arsenal......just 30 are in Afghanistan...its all about money,if we havnt got the money to fight a far away war then we shouldnt be there.....most of these men who are dying are young men and in my opinion 18 year olds shouldnt be in any combat in our services.

Actually it's 23. The lynx were withdrawn cos they can't fly in that heat/altitude !

Tell you what though... Next time a goverment minister goes out there I bet they have a helicopter to fly him about. In reality they should take Brown out there & stick him in a lanrover & give him a tour of Helmand

[girlyred]

RIP Josh Hammond who was laid to rest yesterday a family friend his life was just begining he was 18 and all the other lads who have died doing the job they love fighting in Afganistan, respects to all the people of Wooton Bassett 4 their support