RAF Force Protection Force

RAF Force Protection Force
Unit name	Force Protection Force
Dates	2004 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Force Protection
Role	Ground Defence, Security, Counter-Terrorism
Command structure	No. 2 Group
Garrison	RAF Honington
Garrison label	Headquarters
Battles	War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War

RAF Force Protection Force. The Force Protection Force is a specialist ground defence and security formation within the Royal Air Force, established in 2004 to consolidate and enhance the protection of RAF assets, personnel, and installations worldwide. It brings together various existing security and defence capabilities under a single command structure, primarily headquartered at RAF Honington in Suffolk. The force is a key component of the RAF Regiment and operates under the direction of No. 2 Group, providing a robust response to ground-based threats ranging from terrorist attacks to conventional military incursions.

History

The formation of the Force Protection Force was a direct consequence of lessons learned during operations such as the Gulf War and the Bosnian War, which highlighted vulnerabilities in static base defence. Its creation was formally announced as part of the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme deliberations and wider defence reviews, including the 2003 Defence White Paper. This reorganisation saw the merger of the RAF’s dedicated field squadrons, formerly part of the RAF Regiment, with the specialist resources of the RAF Police and elements of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Key stations like RAF Leuchars and RAF Marham initially hosted major elements before consolidation at RAF Honington, which became the force's permanent home and centre of excellence.

Role and responsibilities

The primary role is to deter, detect, and defend against ground-level threats to Royal Air Force operational capability. This encompasses force protection duties for RAF airfields, forward operating bases, and critical national infrastructure such as RAF Menwith Hill. Responsibilities include conducting armed security patrols, managing access control points, executing counter-terrorism measures, and providing specialist support during high-threat deployments. The force also works closely with other British Armed Forces units, including the British Army and Royal Marines, during joint operations, and supports NATO commitments and national resilience tasks within the United Kingdom.

Organisation and structure

The force is commanded by a Group Captain from RAF Honington and is integral to the RAF Regiment. Its structure comprises several operational field squadrons, which are rotational, plus dedicated specialist support elements. These include the Tactical Provost Wing for policing support and the Force Protection Operations Centre for command and control. Key subordinate units are often aligned with specific RAF stations or regions, ensuring tailored protection for assets like the Eurofighter Typhoon at RAF Coningsby or the E-3D Sentry fleet. The structure is designed for flexibility, allowing for the rapid formation of tailored Tactical Air Control Parties and deployment on short notice.

Training and equipment

Personnel undergo rigorous training at the RAF Regiment Training Wing at RAF Honington, which includes advanced infantry skills, CBRN defence, and specialist security drills. Training exercises are frequently conducted with allies such as the United States Air Force at locations like the Joint Force Training Centre. Standard equipment includes the SA80 assault rifle, General Purpose Machine Gun, and MP5 submachine gun for specialist roles. Vehicles range from the Land Rover Wolf to the protected Panther CLV, and the force utilises advanced surveillance and detection systems for perimeter security and threat identification.

Deployments and operations

The force has been continuously deployed on active operations since its inception. It played a sustained role throughout the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), providing vital force protection at Camp Bastion and Kandahar Airfield. During the Iraq War, units were deployed to secure airheads and bases such as Basra Air Station. More recently, detachments have supported Operation Shader against ISIL and contributed to NATO reassurance measures in the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. The force also maintains a permanent presence at strategic locations like RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Notable incidents

The force has been involved in several significant security incidents, underscoring its operational reality. In 2007, personnel from the force were engaged in a prolonged indirect fire attack while defending Kandahar Airfield. A major test came in 2015 when the UK threat level was raised to Critical, leading to the deployment of armed units to protect civilian airports under Operation Temperer. The force also provided the immediate armed response to security breaches at RAF Marham and supported the Metropolitan Police during the security operation for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:2004 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Military units and formations established in 2004