Royal Navy and Army personnel and recruits expect to be deployed in support of our National Security and do not back away from such commitment irrespective of the “hardship” or “lack of harmony” that may be involved. They look forward to the excitement, travel and adventure that is part and parcel of protecting our global national security interests.
This is not the case with RAF personnel. It has been covertly disclosed (no names, no pack-drill) that there is an overwhelming reluctance within the Air Force to deploy in our aircraft carriers in support of F-35B operations. “Underground intelligence” has revealed that the majority of Air Engineer Personnel within the RAF are in panic mode, especially new recruits to the Service, wishing to have nothing to do with F-35B maintenance and support, and opting instead for home-based Typhoon and Voyager appointments. Quite simply, they do not wish to go to sea or be deployed in harm’s way and will avoid doing so at any cost.
Our Secretary of State, Politicians and Whitehall Mandarins need to recognise this sad state of affairs because, if it is not corrected with a new way ahead, it will have a devastating effect on the operational readiness of our aircraft carriers – and is already doing so.
This is evidenced by the planned deployment of the Prince of Wales without UK F-35B fighter aircraft embarked. The carefully worded Royal Navy statement that the deployment is a mission to “shape the future of stealth jet and drone operations off the coast of North America and in the Caribbean” appears to be ignoring the truth of the matter. Serious questions arise:
Why did the statement not refer to “the future of UK stealth jet and drone operations”?
Why is a UK F-35B Air Group not embarked for the deployment?
Is it a result of an RAF air engineer rebellion?
Following the abysmal serviceability rates of the Tornado GR4 and now the Typhoon (approximately 30%), are we now contending with a build up to similar serviceability rates for the F-35B under RAF management?
What percentage of UK’s F-35B establishment is fully available for front line operations?
Will the stealth jet operations quoted by the Royal Navy spokesman be conducted by United States Marine Corps F-35Bs? If so, it is to the detriment of valuable embarked operational experience being gained by UK aircraft and aircrew.
Is it planned to fly a small number of UK F-35B aircraft out to the eastern seaboard utilizing air to air refuelling and to pay fleeting visits to the deck? This would be an expensive and unfulfilling gesture.
The malfeasance reported in my last Insight would appear to be ongoing. It is reasonable to suggest that the Administrative Authority (the RAF) governing F-35B embarkation and operational training is being negligent in its duty, and blatantly unwilling to support the needs of its Sister Service, the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm.
It is surely time for this Administrative Authority to be transferred to the Royal Navy, where fixed wing air engineering support is dedicated, diligent and well-managed – with its personnel all keen to embark and endow our aircraft carriers and Fleet with the proven Warfighting capability that they need.
An urgent, expanded DOC Audit needs to be conducted into these matters.
