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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... -bite.html#
is rather telling...
Yes, it is that bad...
Shortage of RAF pilots for Libya as defence cuts bite
The RAF risks running short of pilots for operations over Libya as cuts to the defence budget threaten to undermine front-line operations, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent 9:45PM BST 28 Mar 2011
Since the conflict began, a squadron of 18 RAF Typhoon pilots has enforced the Libya no-fly zone from an air base in southern Italy.
However, a shortage of qualified fighter pilots means the RAF may not have enough to replace all of them when the squadron has to rotate in a few weeks.
The situation is so serious that the RAF has halted the teaching of trainee Typhoon pilots so instructors can be drafted on to the front line, according to air force sources.
The handful of pilots used for air shows will also be withdrawn from displays this summer.
The shortage has arisen because cuts to the defence budget over the past decade have limited the number of pilots who have been trained to fly the new Typhoon.
Out of 69 qualified RAF Typhoon pilots, including instructors, 18 are in southern Italy flying missions over Libya.
Of the rest, 24 are committed to the Quick Reaction Alert protecting Britain’s air space and six are in the Falklands in a similar role.
A further six are being used to train Saudi Arabian air force pilots. That leaves only 15 to replace those currently based in Italy.