Is there any hope for Kinloss?

Esoog

Exactly what operational expertise do the Royal Navy gain from visiting sunshine ports that they couldn't get from floating around the shores of Norway?

errr, drugs busting? They do quite a lot of that and anti-piracy ops.

BLT_2

Esoog wrote: »

errr, drugs busting? They do quite a lot of that and anti-piracy ops.

So the role of the Royal Navy is drugs busting operations in the Carribbean? I live and learn I thought they were for the defence of the nation. I always assumed the police and Interpol were responsible for drug operations

Perhaps we should expand the Navy and set a few patrols off of Cuba?

A fair few drugs coming here from America as well so I here, lets get a few aircraft carriers over there....oh thats right, we don't have any :rotfl:

Andy_L

BLT wrote: »

So the role of the Royal Navy is drugs busting operations in the Carribbean? I live and learn I thought they were for the defence of the nation.

Among other things, yes. Defence of the nation is their main thing but the "Defence Aim" is:

"To deliver security for the people of the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories by defending them, including against terrorism; and to act as a force for good by strengthening international peace and stability."

so counter-narcotics in the Carabean is covered by "Overseas Territories" and "strengthening international peace and stability" not to mention the useful variety of experience of operating ships in a warm climate rather than just the North Sea

greytroot

Its a pity about Kinloss and Lossiemouth and everytime there was ever talks regarding cuts both were always at the forefront. As an ex-serviceman I was posted there 3 times and the local economy will be dessimated.

Unfortunately within the cuts we will also see new aircraft carriers with no aircraft. The closure of all German bases and therein lies what might be a saviour as one or both camps may be taken over my the Army. (What happened to the Virgin space shuttle thingy?) But then again why do we need so many bases if we see no UK mainland threat from foreign forces other than terrorists.

It won't be long now that Ryanair will do flying missions for us....and they charge by the kilo!

Mibbies when Scotland get their independance we will re-open all those old bases - Machrahanish, Turnhouse etc etc.

Esoog

Andy_L wrote: »

Among other things, yes. Defence of the nation is their main thing but the "Defence Aim" is:

"To deliver security for the people of the United Kingdom and the Overseas Territories by defending them, including against terrorism; and to act as a force for good by strengthening international peace and stability."

so counter-narcotics in the Carabean is covered by "Overseas Territories" and "strengthening international peace and stability" not to mention the useful variety of experience of operating ships in a warm climate rather than just the North Sea

Quite. My brother lives in one of Carribbean overseas territories and he's entitled to protection by the RN just as the locals are.

Plus, the Navy gives the local rugby club a new challenege every year or so

thescouselander

BLT wrote: »

What exactly is the point of the Red Arrows, except to provide an opportunity for a select few to visit foreign climes and stay in 5 star hotels. . Ditch these glory boys and retain another couple of hundred troops.

Not sure thats going to work - the Red Arrows are partly self funding with a significant proportion of their costs being met by sponsors. Also some of the support costs are covered under the general Hawk support budget. If we ditch them that doesn't necessarily mean there will be more money for anything else.

molerat

greytroot wrote: »

Mibbies when Scotland get their independance we will re-open all those old bases - Machrahanish, Turnhouse etc etc.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

chazzie83

with regards to the red arrows they promote the air force around the world pretty sure there owned by a french company as well heard someone talking about it today.

molerat

From an e-mail I got today http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&hash=item2c583c336b&item=190458901355&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&rt=nc&si=SLOLK5jL1tIr0TIbWikyqjFyiBc%253D

angelicmary85

molerat wrote: »

From an e-mail I got today http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&hash=item2c583c336b&item=190458901355&nma=true&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&rt=nc&si=SLOLK5jL1tIr0TIbWikyqjFyiBc%253D

That's on the ebay board too...the Q&A's are well worth a read :rotfl: