Royal Air Force Regiment

Royal Air Force Regiment
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Unit name	Royal Air Force Regiment
Caption	Cap badge of the RAF Regiment
Dates	1 February 1942–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Force protection
Role	Airfield defence, ground-based air defence, CBRN protection
Garrison	RAF Honington
Nickname	The Regiment
Motto	Per Ardua
March	Royal Air Force Regiment March

Royal Air Force Regiment The Royal Air Force Regiment provides specialist Royal Air Force force protection, ground-based air defence and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence for United Kingdom air assets and installations. Formed during World War II amid campaigns such as the Battle of Britain and the North African campaign, the Regiment evolved through the Cold War, the Falklands War, and operations in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Granby, Iraq War, Operation Telic, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), and Operation Shader. Its personnel have operated alongside units from the British Army, Royal Marines, United States Air Force, United States Army, French Air and Space Force, and other NATO allies.

History

The Regiment was established in February 1942 in response to airfield attacks during Operation Barbarossa and the early stages of World War II when lessons from the Battle of Crete and the Dieppe Raid demonstrated the need for dedicated airfield defence. Early formations deployed to theatres including the Western Desert campaign, the Italian Campaign, and the Burma Campaign. Post‑1945, the Regiment adapted to Cold War pressures during the Berlin Airlift and responsibilities in Germany under the British Army of the Rhine. Elements participated in the Suez Crisis and later in the Falklands War alongside units from the Royal Navy and British Army. In the 1990s and 2000s the Regiment supported Operation Granby, Operation Telic, and coalition operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, working with NATO formations and contributing to modernisation programmes inspired by experiences from the Gulf War and counter‑insurgency operations.

Role and Organisation

The Regiment's primary role is force protection for Royal Air Force airfields, personnel and assets, incorporating ground defence, counter‑IED operations, and ground‑based air defence using integrated systems. Organisationally it comprises field squadrons and specialist squadrons, and supports expeditionary wings that deploy with No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group and No. 2 Group RAF. Headquarters elements coordinate with commands such as Air Command and joint formations like Joint Forces Command. Squadrons have been assigned to domestic bases including RAF Honington, RAF Leeming, RAF Brize Norton, RAF Lossiemouth, and overseas deployments to RAF Akrotiri, RAF Alconbury, and forward operating bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Cyprus. The Regiment works closely with formations from the Household Division, Parachute Regiment, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, and multinational partners such as NATO Response Force elements.

Uniforms, Insignia and Traditions

Uniforms and insignia reflect RAF heritage with distinct elements unique to the Regiment, including the cap badge, stable belt, and brevet insignia worn on Royal Air Force uniforms. Ceremonial dress echoes traditions shared with units such as the Household Cavalry and Royal Marines Band Service at events like Trooping the Colour and state funerals. Regimental traditions include the use of squadron marches, memorials commemorating actions in the Western Desert, El Alamein, and the Kandahar Airfield campaigns, and affiliations with civic bodies and schools across United Kingdom counties. Honours and awards held by Regiment members include decorations awarded in the London Gazette for gallantry during actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and unit citations recognised by Ministry of Defence authorities.

Equipment and Weapons

Equipment sets combine personal weapons, vehicle platforms, and integrated air defence systems. Personal arms include variants of the L85A2/L85A3 family, L129A1 Sharpshooter designated marksman rifles, and crew‑served weapons such as the FN MAG and General Dynamics Caesar (used by partnered artillery tasks). Vehicle fleets have included the Land Rover Wolf, Supacat High Mobility Transporter, and protected mobility like the Foxhound and armoured patrol platforms used in Operation HERRICK. Ground‑based air defence elements have operated systems such as the Rapier and more recently integrate short‑range systems alongside sensors from RAF Typhoon and allied assets like the Patriot (missile system) when deployed in joint force protection roles. Counter‑IED and CBRN equipment are standard issued, with detection suites and decontamination systems employed in accordance with Defence Equipment and Support guidelines.

Operations and Deployments

The Regiment has deployed across global operations from the North African campaign to the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and stabilization missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Notable deployments included ground defence at RAF Akrotiri during Cyprus contingencies, perimeter defence during Falklands War operations on Ascension Island and Falkland Islands, and sustained force protection for coalition air operations in Operation Telic and Operation Herrick. The Regiment has also contributed to NATO assurance measures in Eastern Europe and supported humanitarian evacuations alongside units from Royal Navy amphibious groups and United States Marine Corps elements.

Training and Recruiting

Recruiting and training pipelines are conducted at establishments such as RAF Honington and integrated with officer development at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. Training covers infantry skills, small arms, CBRN, airborne operations in conjunction with RAF Regiment Parachute Wing, ground‑based air defence, and specialist courses with Royal Military Academy Sandhurst exchange programmes. Personnel undertake pre‑deployment collective training at ranges and facilities like Sennelager and Tobruk Training Area, and joint exercises with NATO partners including the Multinational Division North East and bilateral training with the United States Air Force Europe.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom