SAS commander quits 'over kit'

[AntiSilence]

I'd rather my taxes go towards sorting these heroes kit out that on waster work shy idiots here.

And while you're at it, don't forget to check out http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/ (but late now but no matter).

[Osem]

Aha - this is more like HMG's real attitude:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8146546.stm

So basically between Darling, Brown and Ainsworth the message is that our troops are fully supported by the government and will get whatever help/resources they need....... unless, of course, those resources are helicopters (and very probably anything else which costs more than a few quid like decent armoured vehicles..)...

We all know there are bound to be fatalities but what we do expect is that our troops have all the equipment they need to deal with the foreseeable risks and that any deaths aren't the result of MOD/governmental ineptitude and negligence. Sadly that isn't the case is it!

[Osem]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8147679.stm

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Osem

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8147679.stm

How can any one with a ounce of intelligence believe a word this man says after the expenses u turn.

Originally Posted by Sirius

How can any one with a ounce of intelligence believe a word this man says after the expenses u turn.

how can he say that the armed forces have the equipment they need when troops have to buy a large portion of the kit themselves either because they don't get supplied enough or what they do get is of poor quality and cannot function in battle
He says there are 60%more helicopters in service now compared to 2006 is that because there are fewer planes /tanks, upto date radio equipment ect being supplied ? i think so

[Osem]

Originally Posted by martyh

He says there are 60%more helicopters in service now compared to 2006

Brown chooses to use a percentage figure here because it sounds a lot more impressive than the actual number which is just 30 or thereabouts IIRC. A 60% increase from, say, 20 to 32 doesn't seem such a lot now does it....

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6667333.ece

I'd have more sympathy if we'd only been fighting there for a few months but it's been years and during that time HMG plainly hasn't planned ahead properly for any eventuality which would require more helicopters. While fatalities were low they could get away with their 'make do and mend' policy but now the numbers are rising fast they've been badly caught out.

[Osem]

The Commons Defence Select Committee seems to think the lack of helicopters is a real problem:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8153129.stm

Not quite the picture Brown insists on painting eh?..

[Osem]

Now General Dannatt confirms the need for more equipment:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8155101.stm

Will Brown and co stump up the cash or are their claims just so much hot air?..

[Osem]

...and now the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, has said that the deployment of more helicopters to Afghanistan would save soldiers' lives:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8155890.stm

Brown's too busy building his bunker to notice I reckon...

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Osem

...and now the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Jock Stirrup, has said that the deployment of more helicopters to Afghanistan would save soldiers' lives:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8155890.stm

Brown's too busy building his bunker to notice I reckon...

I 'guess' anything moved even a few miles there (equipment or soldiers) except patrols, use helicopters.

I would also 'guess' the reason it is difficult to get equipment moved around is due to the shortage.

[Osem]

It's all going to be OK folks - the MOD has decided to send more troops to Afghanistan..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8167615.stm

125 will make all the difference won't it....