"Saboteur on the RAF base" Topic

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"A security review has been launched across UK military bases after pro-Palestinian activists broke into RAF Brize Norton and sprayed two military planes with red paint.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the action as "disgraceful", saying it was an "act of vandalism"."

Starmer being the weak sister he is, says "vandalism" when he should say treason and terrorism.

Mike

"He is not a terrorist. He's a very naughty boy."

I think the choice of words might be intended to dismiss the 'activists' as dilettantes and not dignify their action in the name of their chosen cause.

To be fair, if they were terrorists, would they not have blown something up- which appears not to have been too difficult an option?

(And they have done the RAF a favour in pointing up their security deficiencies)

They sprayed it into the engines so potentially damaging. The result is their group will now be proscribed and this investigation will be a CT one now.

Starmer has brains and impulse control. You don't try your own military – or intelligence services – in the press unless YOU are the weak sister. Investigate, act, reassure.

It was more the intent of these "terrorists" to undermine credibility of the military and score political points, not destroy aircraft. Don't make it worse by giving them even more of a PR boost.

But heads must roll and the lessons going forward on their security measures are what matters now.

Not a good show for the RAF Regiment. I like to think that attempting to do that on a USAF base with Security Forces would be either fatal or at best a long spell in a Federal 'hope you don't get assaulted too much, prison'. Tankers are a strategic asset.

This goes back 55 years but when I was walking around uploaded aircraft in all weathers, we were not in the warning shot business.

The RAF Regt were probably guarding the NAAFI, using their new found skills learnt in there Middle East as the "Short Range Desert Group"!

Although a. They are not responsible for the security of airbases in the UK.
b. The MPGS, old and ex military employed purely as a guard force are responsible. c. A blind 3 legged sloth could get across the airfield fence,

Tally Ho!

I was really surprised to see no dead bodies of the infiltrators. It appears the RAF security is rather lax, but, that may be intentional by their leadership or the politicians. I doubt anyone of substance will get any scrutiny other than the lowly EM on duty.

Tortorella is spot on.

Better this happens now than with serious actors…

"They sprayed it into the engines so potentially damaging"

That reads more like performative vandalism than an act of terrorism.

I hope RAF Fairford is taking notes. That could have been two USAAF B2 Spirit bombers or RAF Lightning IIs.

@42 Flanker – they also hit them around the engine with crowbars.
CT police are now investigating.

Crowbars?- Not exactly SPECTRE- or T.H.R.U.S.H.

no, these guys are next level……(cough)

More activist morons everywhere …

old and ex military employed purely as a guard force are responsible. c. A blind 3 legged sloth could get across the airfield fence,

When I go to the nearby USAFR base. The USAF SPs based on the alert status are always packing e.g. at least 9mms, IIRC SIGs ? If the threat status is high. They wear Kevlars, body armor plus are packing both 9mms and M4s. Plus riot batons.

The USAF SPs are a combination of MPs & Infantry. I talk to them often, when I can. When I asked their CO, an O-4 if they used the US Army Ranger Handbook. He said yes they do … I told him now I am impressed.

There are some civilian contract LEOs there too. They work with the SPs

Also at the gates there are concrete barricades you have to go thru zigging and zagging. Heavy chain link fences too. As well as some other "obstacles" in case of a terrorist attack, etc. No one gets thru the gate without out being thoroughly checkout by the SPs/LEOs. You better have 2 forms of IDs and your name is on their list to be allowed to enter. Unless you are retiree … Their ID and DL will work.

If any activists got thru the USAF SP defenses. They'd probably not get shot unless they were carrying a weapon of some sort. Yes knives are lethal weapons. But they'd most likely get handled very roughly, maybe hit with a baton. Thrown to the ground and handcuffed. They would have rapidly seen they had made a bad decision.

Going out there Weds night for a meeting/dinner. Will be interested to see what alert status they are on. With the possible threat of terrorists who were allowed across the US border by the last admin. With the current conflict with Iran security should be tight.