FP in afghan

[Jcpenny]

Hi people, not sure if I am putting this thread in the right section. I am about to start a 3 month det to Kabul as Force protection. You may be reading this and saying, well these things are bound to happen in the current climate of manpower shortages. I am a Rigger DT_Xtremez_35: and have been drafted out as FP. HAHA well i did my multi skilling last year rigger sootie and it now looks like i need more multi skilling into RAF Reg, has this happened to any other techies?

 

[sausage2]

It has happened quite a few times. I know at least 4 techies who have done top cover in Iraq. Including Pie Sandwich. He will be able to give you some advice

 

[Forestfan]

As a matter of interest, are you normally 1st,2nd or 3rd line employed, Out-of-Trade, or what?

 

[Jcpenny]

2nd line lox bay mate, going to afghan out of trade

 

[3wheeledtechie]

Did you volunteer for OOA?

This is a worrying trend, don't know what training you've had but I'm guessing a couple of weeks at Honnington is all. Do you feel prepared? Have you ever worked with the guys you will be working with out there?

I don't know what you're going to be doing but if its patrols I wouldn't be happy to just arrive on the ground and slot into a close knit team who have practised for months their anti-ambush drills etc etc together. I would also expect a full range package before deploying to bring up to date shooting skills on the various weapon systems. How can I be certain of what they were going to do, and how would they have any confidence in me, not having seen each others capabilities etc. Are you going to be slotted into a rock section?

I hope for your sake you won't be doing the above as if the 2 week package is all you've had you'll be criminally under prepared. Another reason I'm glad to be leaving in a few short weeks.

 

[Jcpenny]

No i did not volunteer for OOA, you are correct though 10 day EIRT at honington, about to go on it actually. End of june arrival. Have no idea who i am working with and for that matter no idea what my role is out there.
Logged onto JPA and there it was FP to close air support OP Herrick Kabul.

Happy days maybe FP cell at honington will shed some light on my role.

I know that the guy i am replacing is also a techie, god knows whats happening

 

[Ex-Bay]

Sorry to bother you guys, but what is Force Protection ? Making like the Army ? If this has problems with OpSec, please disregard this request.

 

[Jcpenny]

LOL Exbay, I have no idea what it is mate and it is me thats going on it HAHA

 

[tommo9999]

god knows whats happening

What's happening is the RAF is trying to spread the OOA load amongst all trades/ranks, in order to better share the burden. More and more trades with a long TRT will find themselves being pinged for Any-Trade posts, which I'm guessing it is. They're all going OOA now, Musicians etc etc.

 

[Jcpenny]

What about the aircraft techinical trade slots in OOA that can't be fullfilled because all the techies are farmed out on Non technical posts?

 

[tommo9999]

I wasn't aware that any slots were being gapped for techies OOA.

 

[Heffernan]

Sorry to bother you guys, but what is Force Protection ? Making like the Army ? If this has problems with OpSec, please disregard this request.

Force Protection is (to my knowledge) is basically protecting by force
Its protecting RAF bases,personel,aircraft that sort of thing. I believe you go out on patrols around the area of the airfield/base you are on (like a couple of miles out), i think its like the RAF's 'Private army/security'

 

[watchnshoot]

Sorry to bother you guys, but what is Force Protection ?

The RAF Regiment is the cornerstone of the RAF Force Protection (FP) organisation delivering a range of specialist capabilities through RAF Regiment Force Elements and non formed unit personnel deploying in key FP command, staff and training posts. The core Force Elements comprise RAF FP Wg HQs which provide the Force Protection planning, reconnaissance, mission analysis and subsequent Command and Control of national and multinational deployed operating bases. In addition RAF Regiment field squadrons which are specialist ground close-combat units uniquely equipped and trained to undertake defensive operations to combat ground based threats to air assets. RAF Regiment field squadrons and RAF FP Wg HQs are deployed on concurrent operations at Kandahar airfield and Basra airbase.
The new posts will be filled by manpower from the RAF Regiment's final two Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) Squadrons and as a result of the RAF Regiment’s increased recruiting and training initiatives which are already seeing an increase in the number of recruits joining the Service.

I'd throw this thread into the Rock Pool for some clarity

 

[Jcpenny]

I know what you are saying tommo, but sadly the role can not be reversed, we are quite happily punted OOA to them top cover slots etc, but they can't use other trades on A/C related slots can they.

 

[Jcpenny]

Watchnshoot, do you have any idea what the role is of these random aircraft techies that are put on FP duties? I have not been told a single thing about the post >< a little bit lost to be honest

 

[tommo9999]

Fully understand that, but the lords & masters must have looked at the TRT of the trades involved and decided, on balance, that they could use more techies OOA without breaking harmony guidelines. Not saying I agree with it, but somebody has to go OOA. We don't have enough people, simple as.

 

[Jcpenny]

Indeed tommo hit the nail on the head there, god bless redundancies. DT_Xtremez_35: but to be honest 2 weeks training to be going to afghanistan, i feel sorry for whoever I am working with, because they can;t have much faith in someone with such miniscule training.

 

[tommo9999]

You're no John Rambo then? You should get your P staff to speak to A1 Ops to try and find out a bit more about the job and try to get some contact details for the section/area you're going to be working in. It may ease some of your concerns.

 

[watchnshoot]

do you have any idea what the role is of these random aircraft techies that are put on FP duties?

I've been to Kabul a couple of times but to be honest I'm not sure where you'd fit in. As I've said in my previous post, throw this in with the Rock-weillers, they should give you the heads up on keeping your head down in Kabul, or visit your local friendly Regt Section and get laughed at sorry I can't be of any more help

 

[Jcpenny]

No defo no john rambo, I will get my gaffa to give them a bell. But it looks like an established Out of trade post, i think the last 2 people in this pic no were aircraft techies. 1 may of even been C4I.

Don't get me wrong, it is my turn to go OOA just got to get on with it, just wanting some clarification don't want to sound like a winging bitch face DT_Xtremez_27:

Its only a 3 monther also so not too bad