Pilot error
WHILE in opposition, among the Conservatives’ many criticisms of Labour defence policy was the shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan. Yet the latest instalment of the cuts that are dictating the new Government’s defence policy is reported to be the sacking of 100 student pilots which would lead to further shortages of air cover on the front line.
Hypocrisy, however, is not the only charge that can be levelled at the coalition should this expected announcement be made. For the fact that many of these pilots are only a few hours away from being fully qualified means that vast quantities of money would have been wasted on training, not to mention the dashing of the dreams and ambitions of young, dedicated air crew.
Frittering money away like this seems a strange way to make savings, but then again there is much that is strange about the Government’s defence cuts, not least the fact that, in spite of fighting a war which we are told is crucial to national security, policy is being shaped not by the Armed Forces’ operational requirements, but by the need to save money.