Less than three weeks ago, bungling defence leaders were alerted to the possibility of disruption at RAF Brize Norton, yet they chose not to strengthen the fortifications of the vital facility.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators reportedly splashed red paint into the engines of RAF Voyager aircraft after entering the site uncontested, leaving top military officials stunned.
Incredible footage shared by the group Palestinian Action showed protesters storming across the RAF runway in Oxfordshire on electric scooters.
Bodycam images then show them spraying red paint into the turbine engines of the air-to-air refuelling tankers which the RAF say are ‘vital for enhancing the operational reach and flexibility of Britain’s military air power’.
But the recent Strategic Defence Review (SDR) published earlier this month warned about the risk of ‘disruption’ to RAF Brize Norton, with the logistic supply line being targeted.
It identified the RAF Voyager as one of many aircraft that should be secured and urged for increased resilience at the site.
Under the SDR chapter entitled Air Domain on page 114, the review states: ‘The changing nature of the threat to UK and allied security means that RAF logistic support arrangements must be more resilient to disruption and military assault.
‘Particular attention should be given to contingency planning for RAF Brize Norton, the main hub in the UK for much of what the RAF delivers globally.’
One senior RAF source last night told The Mail on Sunday: ‘This failure of security simply beggars belief. Where was the security?
‘This is the responsibility of the RAF Police dog patrols and the RAF Regiment. This time it was misguided protesters, next time it could be terrorists or Russian agents.’
Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, a former RAF jet pilot and senior RAF officer added: ‘This is another wake-up call for our domestic security on bases – whether it be enemy drones or activists on e-scooters, we need to be better prepared and protected.’
Brize Norton is the largest RAF base in the country, with about 5,800 service members, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: ‘We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating.
‘Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.’
One critic ridiculed her as a ‘woke wing commander’ whose main RAF career had been in personnel infrastructure management and administration. He added: ‘She should quit over this security breach.’
Everything should have been top-notch, but it wasn’t anything like that, and that was an epic failure, and someone should either be sacked or resign over this.
These days, top executives are essentially politicians in uniform, chosen more for their political views and progressive attitude than for their military prowess.
Underqualified individuals are being promoted beyond their sometimes restricted talents due to box-ticking quotas, and top brass, much like politicians are too conceited to admit their mistakes and will continue to promote those who don’t deserve it so that they can make their quotas successful, despite the enormous damage they’re doing to fighting power.
They shouldn’t have needed to be warned. RAF Brize Norton should have been one of the most secure places in the British Isles, in fact, all military bases and personal should have the highest security, not forgetting our borders. Defence, what defence?
One warning to an intruder and deadly force should have been approved.
While the base commander is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the base, the MoD bears the responsibility.
The really big question is, where were all the troops, who should have been patrolling these aircraft and the base?
They were warned and did nothing. Our security should not be an afterthought.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 