Royal Air Force Regiment

Royal Air Force Regiment
Unit name	Royal Air Force Regiment
Dates	1 February 1942 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Air force infantry
Role	Force protection, Ground combat
Command structure	No. 2 Group
Garrison	RAF Honington
Nickname	The Regiment
Motto	Per Ardua (Through Adversity)
Battles	Second World War, Korean War, Suez Crisis, Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, Falklands War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Royal Air Force Regiment. It is a specialist corps within the Royal Air Force tasked with ground-based force protection, securing airfields, and enabling air operations. Founded during the Second World War in response to the threat of German paratrooper attacks on RAF airfields, it has evolved into a key component of the RAF's expeditionary capability. Its personnel, known as gunners, are trained as air force infantry and field engineers to operate in hostile environments.

History

The unit was formally established by a Royal Warrant on 1 February 1942, under the direction of Winston Churchill and Air Chief Marshal Sir Charles Portal. Its creation was directly influenced by lessons from the Battle of Britain and the Battle of Crete, where vulnerable airfields were targeted. During the war, squadrons served in numerous theatres including the North African Campaign, the Allied invasion of Sicily, and the Burma Campaign. In the post-war era, it was heavily committed during the Malayan Emergency and the Korean War, where it provided vital point defence for RAF aircraft. The Cold War saw a focus on defending RAF bases in Germany from potential Warsaw Pact assault, a role that continued until the Dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Organisation

The Regiment is headquartered at RAF Honington in Suffolk and forms part of No. 2 Group within Air Command. Its operational squadrons are divided into two distinct wings: the Field Squadrons, which are light role infantry, and the Shield Force Protection Squadrons. These units are often embedded within larger RAF formations, such as those supporting the Eurofighter Typhoon force. The Royal Auxiliary Air Force also includes auxiliary Regiment squadrons, providing a reserve capability. The corps maintains its own band and is supported by specialist trades from the RAF Police.

Roles and capabilities

Its primary role is force protection, defined as the proactive and reactive measures taken to preserve combat power. This encompasses securing and defending RAF airbases, forward operating bases, and critical national infrastructure from ground attack. Gunners are trained in infantry tactics, reconnaissance, and CBRN defense. A key capability is airfield damage repair, ensuring runways remain operational after attack. The Regiment also provides specialist teams for downed aircrew recovery and can deploy tactical air control partys to coordinate close air support for ground forces, working alongside the British Army and units like the Special Air Service.

Training

All recruits undergo the specialist Phase 2 training at the RAF Regiment Training Wing at RAF Honington after completing basic RAF recruit training. This intensive course includes advanced weapons handling, tactical combat casualty care, and fieldcraft. Gunners are also trained in air mobility, often conducting exercises with RAF Chinook and RAF A400M aircraft. Selected personnel undertake the All Arms Commando Course to earn the green beret and support 3 Commando Brigade, while others may qualify as military parachutists. Officer training is conducted at the RAF College Cranwell with subsequent specialist instruction.

Equipment

The Regiment employs a range of infantry weapons and vehicles. The primary personal weapon is the L85A2 assault rifle, supported by the L7A2 general purpose machine gun and L129A1 sharpshooter rifle. For force protection, it utilises the Jackal patrol vehicle and the Foxhound light protected patrol vehicle. Air defence historically included the Rapier missile system, a role now transferred to the British Army's Royal Artillery. Squadrons are equipped with modern communications equipment, night vision devices, and explosive ordnance disposal tools for counter-improvised explosive device operations.

Notable operations

Beyond its Second World War service, the Regiment saw action during the Suez Crisis in 1956. Squadrons were deployed to Borneo during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and provided defence for RAF Ascension Island during the Falklands War. In the Gulf War, it defended RAF airbases in Saudi Arabia and conducted operations into Iraq. Following the September 11 attacks, it was deployed extensively in Afghanistan, protecting Kandahar Airfield and Camp Bastion. More recent deployments include operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq and Syria, and providing security for RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Air force infantry