Question: What do endangered marine turtles, schoolchildren in Iraq and Welsh Rugby Union have in common?

Answer: The RAF has helped all of them.

We’re ultimately a fighting force but we also do amazing work in the community – from raising money for a range of charities to getting our hands dirty helping with conservation.

It’s not just in the UK that we’re a force for good. Our community work takes us to places right across the globe.

Schools and young adults

Inspiring imaginations with new ideas, skills and adventures – that’s a large part of our work with young people. Here are some examples:

• Schools Aerospace Challenge
  We help sponsor the Institution of Mechanical Engineer’s annual competition for innovation in military aviation.
• RAF youth leadership courses
  These courses provide a wonderful insight into life in the RAF. Attendees get to grips with team-working and leadership as they develop their confidence. Among the many challenges are orienteering and paintballing.
• Altitude
  Altitude is an exciting club for 13 to 18 year olds who are in full-time education and interested in the RAF. The aim of the club is to keep teenagers informed, via newsletters and a website, about what we do and how we do it. Newsletters include things like articles on hot topics, interviews with people already serving in the RAF and a Q&A section. The Altitude website provides members with an insight into the RAF lifestyle, regular news updates, the latest on local RAF events, career interviews and features on sports. The site also contains details of RAF experience days and competitions.
• Air Training Corps (ATC)
  ‘Venture Adventure’ is the motto of the ATC. It’s RAF managed and sponsored, and gives 13 to 20 year olds a taste of life in the Armed Services. There’s a lot to study (such as first aid and camping skills) and loads to do, like adventurous training and sports – and there are overseas camps for older cadets.
• University Air Squadrons (UAS)
  Being a member of a UAS is a superb way for undergraduates to gain experience prior to a career in the RAF. There are over 1,000 members who train in leadership and personal development, as well as benefiting from some flying experience. The RAF also sponsors sixth formers who want to be RAF officers.

Youth sports

Sport is a great way to stay in shape – and that’s essential for life in the RAF. When you’re enjoying sport, you often don’t even notice that you’re getting fit at the same time.

Since 2005, the RAF has sponsored the Welsh Rugby Union’s youth leagues, providing equipment and training camps for over 15,000 young players.

Conservation

We care greatly about the environment and actively work to protect it. Here are a few examples of our many conservation projects:

• Marine turtles are threatened with extinction. During the nesting season, beaches near RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus) are home to these amazing creatures. In the Turtlewatch project, we work with University of Glasgow students to protect turtles; nesting sites are protected, and nightly watchers check up on the nests and monitor the eggs. RAF personnel are also involved in a green turtle conservation project on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.
  
• The RAF bombing range at Donna Nook in Lincolnshire was declared a National Nature Reserve in July 2002. It’s a first on Ministry of Defence land, and, since its creation, the reserve has become home to Natterjack toads, mistle thrushes and redwings.
  
• At RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk there are 17 species of rare invertebrates (listed in the ‘Redbook’ of threatened species). In 2007, there were 628,483 plants, including 19 rare species. Stone curlews nest alongside the runway and their fledglings have been successfully ringed.

Local sensitivity

Low-level flying is a crucial part of fast-jet training. But we make a point of keeping it to a minimum, and in the right locations too. This means we don’t disturb conservation areas – or residential ones.

Charities

The RAF is involved with many projects raising money for charities. Our support reaches many different areas, from local initiatives to international fundraising. Here are just some of the charity projects we’ve been involved in:

• A disabled boy from a village near Basra in Iraq had his mobility improved after members of 51 Squadron RAF Regiment delivered a donated wheelchair to him.
  
• In Scotland, Highland Wing Air Cadets from Ullapool, Forres, Nairn, Stornoway and Elgin pulled a 50-tonne RAF Nimrod 75 metres to raise money for Children in Need. The 58 cadets and a handful of adult helpers pulled the aircraft along the runway at RAF Kinloss in Moray, raising over £3,500.
  
• RAF Aldergrove is, uniquely, the only Royal Air Force Station to have won the Firmin Sword of Peace three times. The Sword recognises humanitarian activities that enhance and promote the good name of the RAF. The trust and confidence of the local community in Northern Ireland has been gained through public relations, community support and charity events. A total of £33,938 was raised for charities in one year alone.

Give and take

The RAF is full of people who devote time to working on community projects.

It’s another way we can help the world while building up our skills for life.