I noticed the low-key trawl for veterans’ views and sent in my own representation, that veterans’ groups would probably not reach many who served although they would reach those most affected.

I would also like to make a representation in due course on my experience of the UOR process, as a Royal Air Force Officer based in the UK providing support of operations and liaising closely with US forces. We didn’t get our required software upgrade delivered until the war fighting had largely ended. I also heard stories from colleagues in theatre about equipment shortages, in particular NBC kit.

My perception was that there was a closed-off war planning operation that was kept top secret largely because of political considerations, and this may have delayed the vital wider preparations required in advance of operations.

I resigned in 2003 following the end of the Hutton inquiry.

I’ve posted using my blog name at this time to keep things simple.