Regiment History Flashcards
When was the RAF regiment officially founded?
The RAF regiment, a specialist force protection corps was founded by Royal Warrant on Feb 1st, 1942.
What is the regiments ‘raison d’etre’?
Force protection in the CAGE.
What are the roots of the RAF regiment?
The regiment can trace its roots back to the creation of No. 1 Armoured Car Company RAF, formed in Egypt in 1921 for operations in Iraq while under British administration following the first Iraq war, followed shortly afterward by No. 2 Armoured Car Company RAF in 1922.
These two companies are now each respectively known as 1 Squadron RAF regiment and II Squadron RAF regiment.
What was the regiment’s biggest achievement of WWII?
Squadron Leader Mark Hobden and his force arrested Hitler’s successor as Fuhrer, Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz, at his HQ in Flensburg after being the first of British ground combat forces to reach Paris.
What was the catalyst for the formation of the regiment?
The fall of Crete in 1941 under the revolutionary onslaught of the German Blitzkrieg.
This new and aggressive military strategy demonstrated the vulnerability of airfields that had previously been considered safe.
Why is the North African campaign considered significant in the regiment’s history?
5 field squadrons and 5 anti-aircraft squadrons earned a reputation as a robust, hard-hitting force.
What were the regiments contributions during Operation Torch?
During the torch landings, the RAF moved inland from Algiers, Oran, and Casablanca to undertake offensive operations, proving that the best defense is a good offense. In these operations, the regiment captured numerous aircraft and some 3,000 prisoners.
How many prisoners were captured by the regiment during Op Torch?
Some 3,000
What was the regiment’s contribution during the Battle for Meiktila?
Following the contentious and hard-fought seizure of the Meiktila Airstrip deep behind enemy lines, the regiment made a continuous 10-day dogged effort to repel Japanese forces and ensure that air superiority was maintained.
What precipitated the formation of RAF regiment (Malaya)?
Turmoil in the Middle East following WWII. The regiment played an integral part in the Malayan Emergency.
Why is 1969 significant?
The RAF regiment deployed as a last-minute replacement for an RM Commando unit in 1969 prior to the commencement of Operation Banner during the troubles later that year in which the regiment served for over 30 years.
What provoked the regiment’s continued presence in Cyprus?
The need for protection of the British Sovereign Base Area at Akrotiri following the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
What was the regiment’s contribution during the 1982 Falkland Invasion?
63 Squadron was among the deployed rapid response units, landing at San Carlos. The Corps played an active role in the defense of the island until 2005
What was the regiment’s contribution during the first Gulf War?
RAF squadrons provided air, land and CBRN protection at allied air bases in the region. Most notably, 1 Squadron protected helicopters during the advance to Kuwait and Iraq.
How has the regiment participated in Peace Support Missions in the Balkans?
Squadrons were deployed to Bosnia following the onset of hostilities and the Corps was tasked with providing the ground defense of Pristina Airfield during the Kosovo conflict.
What role did the RAF regiment play during the 2001 invasion of Iraq?
The regiment was heavily involved in Op Telic 1, where 51 squadrons, augmented by 63 squadron were among the first to cross the border. In total, five squadrons were deployed and were involved in covering a range of duties; including GBAD and force protection.
What was significant about the regiment’s role during Op Telic two?
The regiments field squadrons maintained the security of Basra Air Field in Iraq until the bulk of British forces left Iraq in 2009.
How did the regiment support operations in Afghanistan?
RAF regiment units were required to maintain the security of air bases on Op Herrick from 2003 to 2014. This included Kandahar Air Field from 2003 to 2010 and camp bastion from 2006 to 2014. The regiment and its personnel were under constant strain and high readiness throughout this whole operation due to the intensity of the fighting in both theaters of war.
