In the air…..
Royal Airforce 90th Anniversary Year
The RAF is 90 years old in 2008. A series of events will
be taking place throughout the year to mark this milestone and many
airshows will have an RAF 90th theme.
From the mountains of Afghanistan, to the deserts of Iraq, to
the chill of the Falkland Islands and the Balkans, the RAF in 2008,
has some 3000 servicemen and women deployed on operations at any
one time. Add to this the Quick Reaction Alert fighter
aircraft – the Typhoon and the Tornado F3 – that are on standby
24/7 to protect the United Kingdom and its airspace, the RAF
remains busy. All of these missions are vitally important to
the UK’s interests. Today, some 26 % of the RAF’s assets and 7 % of
its personnel are deployed on operations.
The RAF is now formed into Expeditionary Air Groups and Wings.
No 83 Expeditionary Air Group has been established in the Middle
East to direct all of the RAF forces in the region. And 901, 902,
903, 904 and 905 Expeditionary Air Wings in the Middle East (901
and 902), Basra in Iraq, Kandahar in Afghanistan and RAF Mount
Pleasant in the Falkland Islands are all now well established. The
RAF Regiment’s contribution cannot be underestimated providing the
security of Basra and Kandahar airfields. The RAuxAF have provided
valuable support across a range of specialties, including the RAF
Regiment, movements and medical.
Despite being the junior Service, the RAF has a proud history
and the servicemen and women of today wear their uniform with
pride, cherish their Service’s proud history – from the Battle of
Britain to the Falklands Conflict to more recent conflicts – but
also look to the future with anticipation. It goes without
saying that despite the twin pressures of operations and change,
the RAF continues to provide a vital, unique and powerful
contribution to Defence and the UK. The RAF’s efforts are
valued as a force for good more than ever and its people are at the
forefront of defending the UK and her interests abroad,
strengthening international peace and security and ensuring it is
fit for the challenges of today and the tasks of tomorrow.