The Brits are rightfully proud of their RAF Regiment but this is becoming a bit unseemly. Lets not lose sight of the sad fact that the enemy breached this base. It was a failure all the way around--by all involved. The chest pounding is unwarranted.
Many who serve in the Army, work within British defence establishment, or follow UK defence matters don't have a high opinion of the RAF Regiment. There are seen by many as inept, over equipped (compared with a line infantry unit), and to have little real purpose. (Apparently aggressive defence of an airfield is a speciality.) There are what 2800 in the RAF Regiment. Outside Afghanistan the two "airfields" at most risk from foreign attack, the Cyprus SBA and Mount Pleasant in the Falklands are actually guarded by the Army. Remember the British Army has just lost 3 battalions due to cuts, battalions that weren't struggling for recruits. So to say we are proud of them, though true as we are proud of all who wear HM's uniform, shouldn't imply that they are regarded as an elite by the majority. Go over to arrse.co.uk and see what is said over there.
ReplyDeletejust an another example of the r.a.f. trumeting a minor victory, when the army/marine/special forces to the back breaking stuff, not to downplay there role in the air, where they are vital, there is no need for them on the ground when other more valuable assets went bye bye.
ReplyDeletewhy does the r.a.f. need a regiment of ground soldiers?, they should have went the way of the dodo's during the sdr & saved the harriers, i'm sure the navy/marines, would have happily filled there role for that!!!!!
the r.a.f. should be simply home defense, there cargo role hived off to a royal fleet auxilery type organisation, most offensive aerial combat should be carried out by the naval community.