You are of course right. The warrior ethos needs to be reset from the start of training in the Air Corps. Until recently, fixed wing pilot students had no training in tactical formation, that is changing. Helicopter pilots had only an embryonic knowledge of tactical operations, that is changing. There are efforts behind the scenes to expand the support that can be given with current aircraft so that the knowledge base is firm to develop into future types. The major obstacles have traditionally been the govt but the military obstacles have come from a range of Chiefs of Staff who saw the Air Corps as a jumped up bunch of pansy flyboys that weren't prepared to get dirty and rough it with the troops. That is changing as we speak, although the attitude of the COS may take some time and numerous demonstrations of the willingness of the Air Corps to return to a military ethos. Unfortunately, by the time he sees this or the govt is forced into applying the Air Corps in a military role, they will have made several equipment purchases that will hamstring the Defence Forces into another 40 years of substandard air operations.
