Hercules C-130 1 or 11

[Sarsfield]

With the appalling tragedy that has befallen many Indian Ocean nations due to the Tsunami on St. Stephens Day and the positive response from the Government, the NGOs and the public, some civil servants must be squirming!

Senior AC officers urged upon the government on their submission to the PWR, that one / possibly two Hercules type aircraft should be acquired which could be utilised not only by the army on UN service but also by other Government departments to support Irish NGOs reacting to crises in the field.

Like Austria, we could have bought second hand Hercs which could now be used to fly out the army field hospital and other vital pieces of kit to assist our NGOs who as ever do such incredible work under near impossible conditions.

[MOD Edit: Off-topic ranting deleted.]

[faughanballagh]

An excellent idea, just don't take the C-130E's. They're starting to crack.

[Aidan]

yeah, damn bean counters!

Idiot.

[bulldemboots!]

Not to mention that 60 paratroopers can be dropped from one of them.

[Troddyn]

aa

[Goldie fish]

I think its particularly ironic that elsewhere on this board people are discussing their inability to get items such as boots and raingear,while here we have people looking for aircraft to transport non existant para troopers.

Lets start with the basics.

I would love to see Hercs with the Celtic Boss tricolour roundel,but with our current state of military spending management(or lack of same) even if by some miracle we got one or more of these aircraft,they would probably spend the most of their life on the ground,waiting for parts,that will not be ordered until the next financial year...

[B Inman]

Defence Policy is decided by the Government not Civil Servants. Civil Servants implement Government policy, if you have a gripe about current Government policy, bitching about Civil Servants will not change a thing, your gripes should be addressed to the people who make the policy not those who implement it.

[Turkey]

Defence Policy is decided by the Government not Civil Servants. Civil Servants implement Government policy, if you have a gripe about current Government policy, bitching about Civil Servants will not change a thing, your gripes should be addressed to the people who make the policy not those who implement it.

Spoken like a true civil servant.

[Goldie fish]

This government has a policy of decentralisation..see how well thats going for them...

Everyone knows that any changes any government have attempted to make has only been done so with the cooperation of the Civil servants. Anyone who believes the average country TD can come up with a defence policy,having no experience of military affairs is fooling themselves. The civil servants draw up a policy that suits them. The minister rubber stamps it. The civil service then convince the minister that it was his idea all along.

[rod and serpent]

how`s about a globe master.

[bulldemboots!]

..civil servants draw up a policy that suits them. The minister rubber stamps it. The civil service then convince the minister that it was his idea all along.

Ever watch "Yes Minister" people?

[Goldie fish]

Ever watch "Yes Minister" people?

Maggie Thatcher loved it.. :tri:

[Troddyn]

aa

[Silver]

Sell the Lear jet and the GIV, and lease an Aer Lingus A330 (or similar) which can be used for both troop/cargo transport and VIP ops.

[Goldie fish]

Say A330 and you'll get a BBJ type thingy which will never be available for anything other than VIP.