RAF Regiment Hold 70th Anniversary Commemorative Service
The Royal Air Force Regiment commemorated its 70th Anniversary in a special service held today in St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
The event was attended by over 600 Air Force personnel and local dignitaries, including Lord Tollemarsh, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, and Lord Tebbit. A flypast by a vintage DC3 Dakota aircraft 
rounded off the prestigious event in style and reflected the RAF Regiments parachuting heritage.
The RAF Regiment is the ground fighting force of the RAF and is fully integrated within it. The RAF Regiment protects air bases from attack and are trained and equipped to fulfill a wide range of infantry type roles. It is a unit that is widely recognised as being the world leader in air-minded force protection and many other nations seek the RAF Regiment’s guidance in establishing their own capability in this area.
The RAF Regiment is a fighting unit and has a continuous presence in Afghanistan with the RAF Most of the Service personnel attending the service were based at RAF Honington. Honington based II Squadron are currently deployed and scheduled to return in Apr of this year. 15 Squadron, also Honington based, will deploy in Oct of this year.
Group Captain Andrew Hall, RAF Honington’s Station Commander, said “The RAF Regiment is extremely proud of its heritage and I am extremely proud of the contribution my airmen are making everyday to the success on current operations. Moments like this also afford us the chance to reflect on the sacrifices and achievements of those who served before us. We look ahead to a successful future.
Senior Aircraftsman Tom Jackman, 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, said “Its important to remember that over the last 70 years the traditions and values haven’t changed however the Force has modernised to keep up with current theatres. This reflects the adaptability of the RAF Regiment and the necessity of its role”.
Canon Matthew Vernon, Canon Pastor at the Cathedral, said: ‘We are honoured to be hosting this service, which commemorates the contribution of the RAF Regiment over the past 70 years and which highlights our developing relationship with them.’
Editor: Sqn Ldr Richard Payne
Photography: Sgt Butcher
Royal Air Force Regiment commemorated its 70th Anniversary in a special service held today in St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2012.
