Source: Defence Select Committee
This is a subject that interests me and as we are so close to Cranwell, Barkston Heath, Conningsby and Waddington I thought it prudent to include.
Subject: Chief of the Air Staff
- Witness: Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston Chief of the Air Staff at Ministry of Defence.
- Witness: Air Marshal Richard Knighton CB, Deputy Commander Capability at Air Command.
If you a spare couple of hours you can witness how the boss of the RAF squirms when asked sensible questions from the Defence select committee. Click for their make-up. The chairman Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP in my mind did a fantastic job of chairing the meeting. Furthermore, great to see all side of Westminster working together.
The sad part is that CAS did not fight for more resources and in fact appeared to cover up some issues. When off camera, Mr Ellwood is flabbergasted when he hears that only one Protector will be in service this year, he mentions we need 1000’s. He was especially annoyed that CAS would not accept any responsibility for the Racist recruitment campaign he presided over.
Subjects included:
- how many fast jets in service, for example he said 137 Typhoons (which is just plain wrong)
- length of time to train pilots,
- the inefficient Military Flying Training System (MFTS) programme
- aircraft types including, Typhoon, F35, Wedgetail, Hawk T2, A400M, C130J, Protector, A330MRT, C17
- the recruiting campaign that prevented white males being selected between Nov 2020 and March 2020 (racism)
- the resignation of Group Captain Nicholl (this FOI request shows why she resigned),
- the Red Arrow debacle,
Video is here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/9fa20243-afc8-4715-a378-fdce2ffb58f3
