Red Arrows face axe, it is claimed (From Thisisdorset)
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Red Arrows face axe, it is claimed
8:35am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in Latest By Steven Smith
The Red Arrows have wowed the crowds at Bournemouth Air Festival
BOURNEMOUTH Air Festival favourites the Red Arrows could be axed in the next round of defence cuts, a national newspaper has claimed today.
It was reported that sources with the Prime Minister in Liberia yesterday suggested that the legendary team could be in line for the chop.
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, which has had a special place in the hearts of Bournemouth people even more so since the death of Flt Lt Jon Egging following a display at the festival in 2011, costs the MoD a relatively small £9 million a year.
But the report claimed that the team could become a bargaining chip in budget negotiations.
The Red Arrows have been the highlight of Bournemouth Air Festival over the past five years and the team has spoken of its fondness for Bournemouth, particularly in the wake of Flt Lt Egging’s tragic accident.
Terry Trevett, chairman of Bournemouth Red Arrows Association, said: “Once again there is an attempt to destroy something that’s truly British.
“The Red Arrows are some of the finest ambassadors this country has ever had and should continue to be such fine representatives of our country.
“The estimated cost of £9 million is a tiny sum when considered overall as part of the defence budget.
“Bournemouth has a proud connection with the Red Arrows, going back to their foundation in 1965, and represents a small part of the huge following that the Reds have worldwide.
“I’m proud to have had connections with the team for many years and I know my thoughts and views are shared by everyone who believes that the Red Arrows are part of our country’s heritage.
“Let’s be proud of what we have – especially the Red Arrows.”
Defence chiefs have already had to make huge reductions in personnel and equipment as a result of the Government’s five-year plan.
It is being argued the Arrows are an unaffordable luxury.
The MoD denied the Arrows faced the axe, dismissing the story as “speculation”.
Comments(42)
rudolph_hucker
says...
8:43am Sat 2 Feb 13
ben111
says...
9:08am Sat 2 Feb 13
Wesoblind
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9:36am Sat 2 Feb 13
Still wonder why we stand for them turning our country into a dreadfull place where freedom is faked.
politicaltrainspotter
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9:47am Sat 2 Feb 13
If true, once again the out of touch MP's have underestimated the affection the country holds for the Red Arrows and how much they are the envy of the world.
But there's no point in writing to your local MP's as they will either not reply or say it's a way of fighting the deficit and the defence budget needs cutting.
Lord Spring
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10:33am Sat 2 Feb 13
Whilst we think they are the best in the world some of other nations display teams are comparable.
Do they assist in recruiting to the Royal Air Force, why do we need a shop window as the MoD are cutting back on active service personnel I wish the same could be said for Whitehall personnel.
I am an aviation anorack so not anti
charmy1
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10:37am Sat 2 Feb 13
Dexterwest
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10:39am Sat 2 Feb 13
The aircraft are £25million each, so to resupply would be in excess of half a billion pounds, and I can't see anyone willing to pay.
So make the most until the current hawks are retired.
Hessenford
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11:02am Sat 2 Feb 13
This will hopefully be the final nail in David Cameron's poxy government if this is allowed to happen.
The Reds have done more for this country that any government has done and they are great ambassadors for the United Kingdom, this cannot be allowed to happen.
Phixer
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11:38am Sat 2 Feb 13
charmy1 wrote:You should get out more often. It has also been reported nationally.
The only reason this article has been published is that it has something to do with the Air Show. Nothing has been mentioned about potential cuts within the rest of the MOD at local sites such as Poole Blandford, Bovington or Lulworth.
Phixer
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11:43am Sat 2 Feb 13
Lord Spring wrote:There is no better training for combat than the aerobatics performed by the Reds, who also have an offensive role if needed.
Whilst I appreciate their displays they are now old hat flying 30 year old aircraft, and do not contribute to the nations defence or offence, 10 flying instructors could be better deployed.
Whilst we think they are the best in the world some of other nations display teams are comparable.
Do they assist in recruiting to the Royal Air Force, why do we need a shop window as the MoD are cutting back on active service personnel I wish the same could be said for Whitehall personnel.
I am an aviation anorack so not anti
It is not just the RAF that the Reds represent. They draw attention worldwide by showing off British industry and discipline, widely admired by other countries.
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
11:43am Sat 2 Feb 13
Lord Spring wrote:Totally agree. It's one of the world's most expensive firework displays. The Field Gun Running of the Royal Navy was cut many years ago, the Red Arrows should be treated no differently. With beyond-visual-range, look-down, shoot-down weaponry available today there is no justification for the huge cost to the public purse of this elite flying club..........years ago, close-proximity, formation flying was an important skill warranting training, but not now. It's and expensive relic and must go.....
Whilst I appreciate their displays they are now old hat flying 30 year old aircraft, and do not contribute to the nations defence or offence, 10 flying instructors could be better deployed.
Whilst we think they are the best in the world some of other nations display teams are comparable.
Do they assist in recruiting to the Royal Air Force, why do we need a shop window as the MoD are cutting back on active service personnel I wish the same could be said for Whitehall personnel.
I am an aviation anorack so not anti
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
11:46am Sat 2 Feb 13
charmy1 wrote:Which we are already aware of, and therefore doesn't need reporting! The clue's in the name - 'news'......
The only reason this article has been published is that it has something to do with the Air Show. Nothing has been mentioned about potential cuts within the rest of the MOD at local sites such as Poole Blandford, Bovington or Lulworth.
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
11:48am Sat 2 Feb 13
Phixer wrote:Absolute poppy-****. Name an operational scenario where wingtip-to-wingtip flying takes place?
Lord Spring wrote:There is no better training for combat than the aerobatics performed by the Reds, who also have an offensive role if needed.
Whilst I appreciate their displays they are now old hat flying 30 year old aircraft, and do not contribute to the nations defence or offence, 10 flying instructors could be better deployed.
Whilst we think they are the best in the world some of other nations display teams are comparable.
Do they assist in recruiting to the Royal Air Force, why do we need a shop window as the MoD are cutting back on active service personnel I wish the same could be said for Whitehall personnel.
I am an aviation anorack so not anti
It is not just the RAF that the Reds represent. They draw attention worldwide by showing off British industry and discipline, widely admired by other countries.
Wesoblind
says...
12:24pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Lord Spring wrote:HA! can i ask what does contribute to our (and i use our loosely) nations defense?????
Whilst I appreciate their displays they are now old hat flying 30 year old aircraft, and do not contribute to the nations defence or offence, 10 flying instructors could be better deployed. Whilst we think they are the best in the world some of other nations display teams are comparable. Do they assist in recruiting to the Royal Air Force, why do we need a shop window as the MoD are cutting back on active service personnel I wish the same could be said for Whitehall personnel. I am an aviation anorack so not anti
Certainly not what the mod are doing now, what are they defending us from?
If they want to defend us they need to look internally in the uk powers that be!
John T
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12:33pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Who do you believe The Sun, the Echo or a Downing Street source...provided, of course, that was not Andrew Mitchell with his bike?!
This is no more than 'spin' to sell newspapers by the Sun and the Echo.
Leave the spinning to the Red Arrows.
Glashen
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1:04pm Sat 2 Feb 13
John T wrote:I agree it is a bit of muck stirring, but then I wouldn't trust a Downing street spokesman as far as I could throw him either. Your comment is a bit of a "which of the top 3 floors of the Shard would you want to jump from" question.
In the same article the national newspaper (sic) referred to, which was The Sun, writes: 'A Downing Street source last night insisted the Red Arrows were NOT under threat.'
Who do you believe The Sun, the Echo or a Downing Street source...provided, of course, that was not Andrew Mitchell with his bike?!
This is no more than 'spin' to sell newspapers by the Sun and the Echo.
Leave the spinning to the Red Arrows.
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Defence spending is frankly a mess, we are wasting a fortune on a Trident replacement which no one seems able to think of a scenario when we would actually use it, we are building aircraft carriers we will not have the resources to defend and will lack aircraft for many years, we have no airborne early warning to speak of.
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Then we get involved in more conflicts before we have got out of the last lot, can't think many of our present government did history.
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Pity the poor ------- squaddie you gets the job of mopping up the mess and is lucky if he has decent boots, a rifle that works and doesn't have a redundancy notice in is pocket.
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I think the Red Arrows have a good chance of surviving, cutting them would show up how badly we are funding our armed services for what we ask them to do,
BmthNewshound
says...
1:43pm Sat 2 Feb 13
.
What next topless models on Page 3 of the Echo.
.
The Sun has claimed that both the Red Arrows and the Trooping the Colour could be axed. Highly unlikely.
.
l'anglais
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3:06pm Sat 2 Feb 13
If not stringing them up on a gallows would be my second choice..
GAHmusic
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5:10pm Sat 2 Feb 13
GAHmusic
says...
5:11pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Arjay
says...
5:55pm Sat 2 Feb 13
BmthNewshound wrote:Topless models on page 3 of the Echo? .....now there's a thought! :-)
so the Echo is now depending on The Sun for its sensationalist headlines.
.
What next topless models on Page 3 of the Echo.
.
The Sun has claimed that both the Red Arrows and the Trooping the Colour could be axed. Highly unlikely.
.
Well, you need to look at all options, when your circulation has fallen dramatically.....
swimpy
says...
6:00pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Arjay wrote:not even stationed down here no job cuts if they are scrapped in dorset what next lincoln city results in the echo up the IMPS
BmthNewshound wrote:Topless models on page 3 of the Echo? .....now there's a thought! :-)
so the Echo is now depending on The Sun for its sensationalist headlines.
.
What next topless models on Page 3 of the Echo.
.
The Sun has claimed that both the Red Arrows and the Trooping the Colour could be axed. Highly unlikely.
.
Well, you need to look at all options, when your circulation has fallen dramatically.....
Carolyn43
says...
6:02pm Sat 2 Feb 13
charmy1
says...
6:04pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Phixer wrote:I meant in the local rag!
charmy1 wrote:You should get out more often. It has also been reported nationally.
The only reason this article has been published is that it has something to do with the Air Show. Nothing has been mentioned about potential cuts within the rest of the MOD at local sites such as Poole Blandford, Bovington or Lulworth.
charmy1
says...
6:07pm Sat 2 Feb 13
LetcommonsenseprevaiAnd I doubt this "news" massively effects the people of Bournemouth and Poole other than Plane spotters! People will probably use the come back of tourism and cash into the local pockets during the airshow, what about the money that will be lost should closures happen locally and also troops who commute to their bases from Dorset
l wrote:
charmy1 wrote:Which we are already aware of, and therefore doesn't need reporting! The clue's in the name - 'news'......
The only reason this article has been published is that it has something to do with the Air Show. Nothing has been mentioned about potential cuts within the rest of the MOD at local sites such as Poole Blandford, Bovington or Lulworth.
CourtOffside
says...
6:38pm Sat 2 Feb 13
UsernameWithheld
says...
6:43pm Sat 2 Feb 13
l'anglais
says...
6:47pm Sat 2 Feb 13
GAHmusic wrote:The whole point of Taxation, is you don't get to choose what you pay for.
At £9 million a yr thats no more than 20p of my tax money a year, best 20p spent of my taxes I'd say concidering where the other £15,000 my family pays in income tax alone each year goes to.
Your £15k is small fry compared to real earner in the City paying 10 times as much in Income tax alone.
Then he pays a lot more VAT than you as well, with all that extra disposable income, he'll more likely buy luxury goods.
So ask him first, before you get all deluded and start thinking that we all born equal.
John T
says...
7:54pm Sat 2 Feb 13
GAHmusic wrote:I concider (sic) too little must have been spent on your education!
Too
John T
says...
7:54pm Sat 2 Feb 13
GAHmusic wrote:I concider (sic) too little must have been spent on your education!
Too
GAHmusic
says...
9:52pm Sat 2 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:A bit harsh maybe
GAHmusic wrote:The whole point of Taxation, is you don't get to choose what you pay for.
At £9 million a yr thats no more than 20p of my tax money a year, best 20p spent of my taxes I'd say concidering where the other £15,000 my family pays in income tax alone each year goes to.
Your £15k is small fry compared to real earner in the City paying 10 times as much in Income tax alone.
Then he pays a lot more VAT than you as well, with all that extra disposable income, he'll more likely buy luxury goods.
So ask him first, before you get all deluded and start thinking that we all born equal.
GAHmusic
says...
9:53pm Sat 2 Feb 13
John T wrote:It was a typo :-)
GAHmusic wrote:I concider (sic) too little must have been spent on your education!
Too
LordLilliput
says...
10:29pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Arjay wrote:The only problem I foresee here is that the models would naturally be forced to cross their arms to conform with strict Echo photographic policy resulting in a 'no show'..
BmthNewshound wrote:Topless models on page 3 of the Echo? .....now there's a thought! :-)
so the Echo is now depending on The Sun for its sensationalist headlines.
.
What next topless models on Page 3 of the Echo.
.
The Sun has claimed that both the Red Arrows and the Trooping the Colour could be axed. Highly unlikely.
.
Well, you need to look at all options, when your circulation has fallen dramatically.....
goatty
says...
12:54am Sun 3 Feb 13
Everything has a shelf life and the Arrows have had their day and now is the time to retire gracefully
EGHH
says...
7:05am Sun 3 Feb 13
If the MOD wants to save money don't replace Trident! Trident is outmoded in the age of terrorism.
Even during the cold war a Soviet General once remarked that they weren't scared of Britain's deterrent as Russia had enough H-Bombs to remove "their island from the face of the earth in one strike"
Mikeyunibournemouth
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9:24am Sun 3 Feb 13
Avengerboy
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10:34am Sun 3 Feb 13
nottingham
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11:35am Sun 3 Feb 13
False economy if they go
Astrium
says...
11:47pm Sun 3 Feb 13
The Red arrows are a national institution and should not be axed.
Keep the Reds!
EGHH
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6:43am Mon 4 Feb 13
The US Army has 230 of equivalent rank with 550,000 troops. The ratio for Navy and Airforce is similar.
Molecatcher
says...
5:19pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Must be true then...
BIGTONE says...
8:42am Sat 2 Feb 13