Force Protection - Our Core Business

"It is easier and more effective to destroy the enemy's aerial power by destroying his nests and eggs on the ground than to hunt his flying birds in the air." - General Giulio Douhet

(1869-1930) Italian army air officer known as the father of strategic air power.

Put simply, Force Protection is the military term given to a range of measures designed to preserve the combat power of our own forces.

Aircraft, and the personnel, facilities and equipment necessary to maintain and operate them, are particularly vulnerable to attack on the ground. The RAF discovered this to its cost during the Battle of Crete in 1941, when German airborne forces quickly overran lightly defended airfields. The realization that air assets required their own robust defences led to the formation of the RAF Regiment in 1942.

"The modern RAF Regiment takes the lead on Force Protection for the RAF on all operations, including in Afghanistan and Iraq" Our squadrons, other units and advisers are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by an successful attack; and ensure that air operations can continue without delay in the aftermath of an attack.

The RAF Regiment are experts in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) defence and equipped with advanced vehicles and detection measures.

RAF Regiment instructors are also responsible for training all RAF personnel in basic Force Protection, such as first aid, weapon handling and CBRN skills.

Click here to watch a video of the RAF Regiment in action in Afghanistan

Click here to watch the RAF Presentation Team video of the RAF Regiment and its role in Force Protection