Why make it easy to understand?
So far though there’s nothing confirmed that hadn’t leaked.
We have been told Essex Wing is off to C&E (again!)
Does Essex Wing still have any Squadrons cover by Greater London RFCA? I assume they would be split off into London Wing?
Speculating here but if MSW are heading North and Essex are going to C&E. then Warks and Brum will move to W&W region.
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dont think so all done by GLRFCA
That is what I understand to be the plan but the RCs are still very much drawing their lines on maps.
I think overall they are probably the correct strategic changes that need to be made. What I am slightly sceptical of is whether they have actually been thought through in sufficient detail given the upheaval they are likely to cause.
As we all know, to truly align boundaries with the RFCA associations requires much more than just re-drawing some lines on a map; it requires Wing splits, squadron moves and probably much more. A quite impressive amount of upheaval if you are going to do it properly; right after two years of stagnation doesn’t feel like a sensible time to make that level of change.
Clearly we’ve not yet seen any detail but if the boundary change isn’t made accurately (i.e. splitting WIngs etc) then I suspect it’ll be unlikely to achieve the strategic intent. If we half ■■■■ it, it’ll be a lot of upheaval for little gain I suspect.
Similarly with the CCF aspects; unless there are fundamental changes to the CCF(RAF) chain of command and duty holding structure it’s going to very difficult to maintain any effective oversight when they are brought into Regions. Again, half arsing the change will just make everyone’s lives much more difficult. I for one do not want to be put in a position where all of a sudden I haven’t got one duty holder to deal with, but many. The varying risk appetites and approaches to activities and safety will be a nightmare to manage.
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Does anyone have a map of the RFCA areas? I looked online but couldn’t find anything that showed which areas each one is responsible for. I’m painfully aware of our local RFCA, but don’t know if we’re close to another RFCA area.
This is the best I can find
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Playing devil’s advocate: when is the right time?
I think this is as good a time as any. Rather than have a calendar full of Wing events, and Sqn events which de-conflict with them, and even have a training programme in place for some of those events in preparation (such as extra drill practice for the drill competition as an example) now is as good a time as any.
As we start to return and build up a plan further than a month in advance we can consider the Calendar of Wing events. Certainly our Squadron and Wing have a blank calendar for 2022, admittedly pencilled in annual events with predicted (and sometimes known) dates/weekends, but nothing concrete. Why not take advantage of the fluid state and change it all now while no one has commitments to anything?
I am not saying I am looking forward to any change, but feel it is better to do it now as we’re just starting to walk again rather than wait until we’re all running and then suddenly have to change direction.
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That’s really useful. They seem to be county based mainly. An overlay of RFCA, counties, Wings and Regions would be very interesting. I might have to dig out some maps and Photoshop.
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Wow. I didn’t realise how large of an area SERFCA covered!!
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I can’t say I disagree; but then CFAVs joined to deliver the activities they enjoy - not resource a massive corporate change programme that is ASTRA. So given the scaling back of effort of some CFAVs post pandemic, I can only imagine this will lead to more significant losses.
You are right though; there is no good time. Perhaps we accept the losses for a better long term structure.
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That would be interesting to see
There was a review of RFCA areas couple of years back I think
Note the protective marking 
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In theory now is the best time for large scale change or circa 6months ago would have been best,
Headcount is at its all time lowest so less people to impact.
6 months ago the operational side was basically no existant except locally so then would of been the perfect time to make this change with less impact to the infrastructure and would enable planning to be put in place to account for the “new world”
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It’s done properly! What is this…?!
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Actually I don’t think now is too bad a time - yes 6 months ago looks better with hindsight but then the outlook was even less clear than it is now.
It is the timescale that looks a little rushed. The impact on Wing SMEs / delivery teams could be significant if Squadrons and therefore people move wings.
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I tell you what, when it’s done properly it’s really clear isn’t it?
Official sensitive on every page, official sensitive in the file name as well, must have taken a whole team of people to undertake such an arduous task.
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Doesn’t stop it showing up on Google for anyone who wants to look though
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