VIP

WITH the warm weather staying, you don’t need to fly away to experience a destination that feels like abroad.

El Murrino Beachside Kitchen sits on East Cliff Beach, between Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers in Dorset.

One recent visitor claimed the bar has “Mediterranean beach vibes”.

Another added: “The food was tasty and the atmosphere was like being abroad in Spain.”

A third agreed: “The sun was shining and the music made it feel like we were in Ibiza for the afternoon.”

Others even compared it to Miami, saying it feels like being on holiday abroad.

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It doesn’t matter what time of day you visit as the kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Breakfast options include American pancakes for £8 and then when it comes to lunch or dinner you can grab a burger, salad, fish and chips or pizza for £14.

Even your four-legged friend won’t be left out with doggy ice cream available for £3.50 a tub.

And of course there are plenty of tipples on offer including cocktails for £9 or a pint for £6.50.

If you want to elevate your experience, there is the option to book a VIP Cabana for £75.

The cabana can be used by up to 10 people and includes two pizzas and four drinks or a bottle of wine or prosecco with your booking.

Each booking lasts two and a half hours.

If you don’t fancy booking a cabana there are plenty of picnic-style tables as well, surrounded by sand.

And during the summer months, you can also catch a live DJ session at the beach bar.

The beach bar is open each day until 11pm and makes for the perfect pitstop when exploring Bournemouth’s beaches.

The Senate Armed Services Committee believes that the U.S. Air Force is currently unable to support combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations “in a major contingency.” Legislators say they are concerned about the CSAR force structure after the Air Force trimmed its buy of HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters and also elected to transfer some of these aircraft to the so-called Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) mission set, as you can read about here. This comes on top of concerns that the HH-60W fleet isn’t well suited for the realities of a war in the Pacific while no better solution is being sought.

The Senate Armed Services Committee released a full copy of the proposed legislation earlier this week. In this, it states that it is “concerned about CSAR force structure” in the Air Force.

Up close with the HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter at Nellis AFB for The War Zone.

The importance of the Air Force CSAR mission, and the role of the HH-60W specifically, was underscored earlier this year when the type took part in efforts to rescue the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down in Iran.

Now, the committee points to the Air Force’s decision to truncate its buy of heavily modified HH-60Ws, followed by the transfer of 26 of these from CSAR units to the AFDW to replace UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters. AFDW uses these helicopters to support continuity of government plans, contingency response, homeland operations, and ceremonial honors in the National Capital Region. Under normal circumstances, the vast majority of AFDW missions involve VIP movements.

“The committee believes that these actions have left CSAR forces unnecessarily short of the forces needed to support CSAR operations in a major contingency,” the legislators say. The committee has now called upon the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct a study of CSAR requirements and capabilities, including HH-60Ws and HC-130J Combat King IIs, and provide a report briefing to Congress before the end of March 2027.

Until that study is completed, the committee has called upon the Secretary of the Air Force to avoid making any more changes in CSAR force structure.

The Air Force had once planned to replace its AFDW UH-1Ns with new MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, but revealed last year it was considering using HH-60Ws for this role instead. The Air Force’s proposed budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year confirmed that it was moving ahead with these plans.

As we have discussed in the past, the HH-60W will bring a substantial increase in speed, range, and payload capacity compared with the aging UH-1Ns now flying AFDW missions, while also outperforming the smaller, lighter MH-139 in each of those key metrics.

The Air Force’s current plan calls for development of the HH-60W AFDW variant to begin in Fiscal Year 2027, starting October 1, with the first aircraft entering modification the following fiscal year. Those reconfigured Jolly Green IIs would then begin replacing the increasingly outdated UH-1Ns assigned to the AFDW mission at Andrews Air Force Base (now part of Joint Base Andrews).

TWZ had previously raised the question of how the transfer of 26 HH-60Ws for the AFDW role might affect the operational capacity of the rest of the CSAR-focused fleet.

In particular, the Air Force has no plans to procure additional Jolly Green IIs despite the upcoming transfer.

As the Senate Armed Services Committee points out, the Air Force already decided to scale back HH-60W purchases, from an original program of record for 113 of the helicopters. The total planned fleet now stands at 91. This amounts to the CSAR fleet losing roughly 30 percent of its entire Jolly Green II fleet, the first of which began entering Air Force service in 2022.

The legislators point to the ongoing demand for CSAR capabilities, not just in lower-end conflicts such as the war with Iran, but especially in potential future high-end fights, such as one between the United States and China in the Pacific, where aircrew losses would be greater by an order of magnitude.

For years, TWZ has warned that the growing reach and sophistication of modern air defenses are calling into question the viability of traditional fixed-wing and helicopter CSAR missions. In a high-end conflict, especially against China in the Pacific, even stealth aircraft are expected to face significant risks inside contested airspace. The idea that a Black Hawk helicopter, no matter what is bolted onto it, is going to survive in that same environment is highly questionable, and that’s if it can even reach the rescue point at all. The distances involved in the Pacific are far greater than those in Europe or the Middle East, which the legacy CSAR fleet was largely optimized around.

Back in 2023, one of the Air Force’s senior procurement officers asserted that the HH-60W fleet would not be “particularly helpful in the Chinese area of operations” due to these reasons. The Air Force’s cuts to planned purchases of HH-60Ws reflected this reality, while other senior officials have acknowledged that the service will need to rethink how it carries out this critical mission in future wars. The issue is that the cuts didn’t result in other capabilities taking the HH-60W’s place, like uncrewed systems and tiltrotors. So now there is an emerging gap in CSAR capabilities, both in terms of new ones more aligned with the challenges of the Pacific and just any kind of CSAR capability at all. Turning a large portion of the HH-60W fleet into VIP transports certainly doesn’t help with problem.

For the time being, at least, the Air Force is heavily reliant upon its HH-60Ws, regardless of potential vulnerabilities. With orders for the Jolly Green II slashed, and more than two dozen examples slated to switch to another mission, it is perhaps not surprising that legislators want to know how the Air Force will be able to conduct CSAR in the future.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

EVER looked at an airport runway and thought how cool it would be to walk it?

Well, now you can as later this summer an abandoned airport in the UK will be hosting a huge music festival, that you can even camp at.

Love on the Runway music festival will take place across two days between August 29 and 31 at Manston Airport in Ramsgate, Kent.

There will be house, techno and DnB music across two stages for guests to enjoy.

The festival will also have food and drink stalls, for when you need a bite to eat or drink between dancing.

To add some fun, there will also be a fairground ideal for families.

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Other features of the festival include chill out zones and a number of VIP areas.

Little other details have been revealed about the festival yet.

Visitors can book camping passes for £103, which allow for a pitch with up to 10 people (so £10.30 per person) or a camper van.

And with each camping pass, one weekend festival pass is included (so other guests camping at the pitch will need to purchase their own festival ticket).

A regular weekend pass costs from £37 per person or you can get four for £112.50.

If you fancy heading to the festival for just one day, you can do so for £22 and kids go free.

And the festival will have a cheap shuttle bus from Thanet Parkway Station if travelling to the festival via train.

Manston Airport closed back in 2014 and was used as a former RAF base and a regional hub, flying Brits abroad from the 1960s.

Airlines that used the airport included Monarch Airlines, KLM and Flybe.

However, there are current talks to see if the airport could reopen, with the return of flights scheduled for 2029 – however this will be for cargo aircraft only.

Initially, the airport planned to reopen in 2025, but this has been pushed back.

AS RAIN starts pouring in the UK and temperatures dip, you might be craving some warmth and somewhere to take the family that feels like a holiday.

But you don’t need to jet off abroad to escape the British weather.

Across the country, high-tech, indoor aqua parks are offering an oasis away from the rain – with tropical 30C climates, record-breaking wave pools and adrenaline-pumping speed slides.

From waterparks with their own VIP hot tubs and thermal spas for adults, to multi-lane racing chutes for kids, these are the ultimate indoor waterparks that guarantee a fun day out while the British weather does its worst.

Alpamare, Scarborough

Alpamare describes itself as “unlike any waterpark you’ve seen before”, and they might just be right.

This alpine-themed water world has four massive waterslides named after ski runs: the Cresta Run, Olympic Run, Black Run and Snowstorm.

Race down these thrilling water rides through twists, turns and even stops to spin around giant funnel bowls.

There’s also a massive wave pool which erupts with waves every 30 minutes. Or for something more chilled, there’s a huge main indoor pool and even a heated outdoor infinity pool for when the weather picks up.

The relaxation doesn’t stop there – this waterpark has its own spa with a ‘Sauna World’, hammam and health bar.

Inside the Sauna World you’ll find a panoramic Finnish sauna, LED ice showers, a reflexology foot bath and even a unique ‘Hay Bath’.

Here you can lay back on a lounger in a wooden relaxation area packed with fresh hay harvested from the fields of North Yorkshire – a unique form of aromatherapy.

Tickets start at £10 per adult, £7.50 per child and £2.50 per toddler. Book ahead online for the best rates.

Coral Reef Waterworld, Bracknell

One of England’s biggest indoor water worlds, Coral Reef Waterworld is ideal for a family rainy day out with plenty of fun including a giant pirate ship and erupting water volcano.

Indoors, expect tropical temperatures at 30C and a rapid river, bubble pool and children’s splash zone.

The pirate-themed splash area houses a pirate ship called The Coralina, surrounded by water cannons and interactive water features for kids of all ages.

There are also five high-tech waterslides, including The Cannon, which launches riders down a 67 metre-long chute like a cannonball.

Another popular ride is Poseidon’s Peril, where two people are attached to an inflatable raft as it rotates and swirls through colour-changing lights.

Grown-ups can head to the Coral Spa to unwind.

It has heated loungers, three saunas and even a Japanese steam room.

Adult tickets cost £20.55 and children’s cost £14.55. Book tickets ahead online.

Splashdown Waterpark, Poole 

Home to some of the UK’s wildest waterslides, Splashdown Waterpark in Poole is a total paradise for adrenaline junkies.

This action-packed waterpark boasts 13 indoor and outdoor flumes that operate whatever the weather.

Daredevils can conquer The Screamer, which plummets you through a near-vertical 40-meter drop in under five seconds, or dive into the pitch-black Black Thunder.

If you want a party with your plunge, the Infinity waterslide plays funky tunes alongside a flashing laser show as you whirl around a giant bowl.

Little ones aren’t left out either, with the interactive water cannons at Buccaneer Splash keeping younger kids safely entertained.

Admission for three hours costs £23 per person, £9 for 1-4-year-olds and £6 for children under 1.

Child tickets include entry for a companion adult.

Make sure to book tickets online in advance.

Calypso Cove, Barnsley

Inside the Barnsley Metrodome, Calypso Cove is the North’s ultimate indoor waterpark.

It’s designed to look like a tropical island paradise, making it a huge hit for family days out when the British weather misbehaves.

There are some high-energy water rides here to enjoy, like Terror Torrent, one of the UK’s fastest indoor water flumes.

This thrilling slide hurls riders through tight twists and turns before dropping them out into the pool.

There’s also The Eruption, a volcano-themed ride that spins you around a large bowl before dropping you out at the bottom.

Families with younger kids can climb onto the decks of the large pirate ship play area, while parents with babies and toddlers can enjoy the shallow waters and gentle water fountains of Barnacle Bay.

For a bite to eat, head to The Hideout poolside cafe. Here you can break up your swimming session by walking straight out of the water to grab burgers, chips, and drinks in your swimwear before heading straight back to the slides.

Adult tickets cost £16, under 10s tickets cost £13 and under 3s tickets cost £4. All tickets must be booked in advance online.

The Wave, Coventry

The Wave in Coventry is a giant indoor waterpark home to the largest wave pool in the UK.

Jump into the huge pool where the wave machine churns more than 20 million litres of water per day, or drift along in the lazy river.

There are six waterslides for thrill-seekers to brave, including The Riptide, a half-pipe slide that blasts riders in a rubber ring down a near-90-degree drop.

There is also The Cyclone, which spins swimmers around a giant open bowl before dropping you through the middle.

For younger children, The Reef is a vibrant splash pad with its own miniature slides and water fountains safely tucked away from the big flumes.

Meanwhile, grown-ups looking for some me-time can head to the Mana Spa.

There you can swim in a quieter spa pool, unwind in the aromatherapy room and relax in the sauna or steam room.

Tickets cost £15 per adult, £13 for children 11 and under and under ones go free.

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Sandcastle Waterpark is the UK’s largest indoor waterpark, sitting on the South Promenade opposite popular theme park Pleasure Beach.

This water world packs 18 slides and attractions into a tropical 29C environment, making it the ultimate rainy day saviour.

Take your pick from white-knuckle rides like The Master Blaster, the UK’s longest water rollercoaster, or Montazooma, a head-spinning slide of twists and turns.

There’s also Aztec Falls, a water ride that plunges you into darkness before spinning you around a giant bowl.

The Caribbean Storm Treehouse is a hit with kids, featuring a giant climbing frame topped with a huge coconut that unleashes 600 gallons of water on swimmers below.

Little ones can also challenge each other on the multi-lane Treetops Water Chutes or explore the interactive HMS Thunder Splash pirate ship.

When you need a break from the noise, the adult-only Sea Breeze Spa offers a relaxing escape.

A £7 upgrade secures a three-hour session to unwind across the saunas, steam rooms, foot baths, and aromatherapy lounge.

And if you really want to splash out, the park offers premium Tiki Cabanas for adults.

Priced at £60pp, this VIP package bundles full-day waterpark entry and a free meal with your own private area with a hot tub, flatscreen TV and a fridge stocked with cold drinks.

Tickets start from £25.50 for ages 8+ and £16.50 for kids aged 3-7, with under 3s going free. Make sure to book online in advance, as same-day purchases here can cost you extra.