This year, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force marks 100 years since its founding in 1924. A new march has been commissioned and composed to celebrate the achievements of the past 100 years and to give the RAuxAF its very own march as the Part Time Volunteer Reserves who make up the RAuxAF step into a second century of service in support of the RAF.
On 12 March 2024 the march, Comitamur, was recorded by Royal Air Force musicians at RAF Cranwell, but it will not be heard publicly until played before a senior member of the Royal Family later in the year. The title of the march comes from the motto of the RAuxAF Comitamur ad Astra (We go with them to the stars) which alludes to the role of the RAuxAF in supporting the operational work of the RAF whose motto is Per Ardua ad Astra (Through adversity to the stars).
“It has been a real honour to have had the chance to write this march at such an important time in the history of our service. When the RAuxAF was formed its members were flying bi-planes, now the RAuxAF is recruiting people from civilian life to serve in the RAF’s Reserve space and cyber flights and this march celebrates the journey the RAuxAF has come on and will continue as we look forward to another 100 years!”
Squadron Leader Sellers
Director of Music, Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Contributing to more than 30 specialised trades, The RAuxAF is the part time volunteer reserve element of the Royal Air Force. The founder of the Royal Air Force, Lord Trenchard believed the Reserves should capture a sense of adventure and help in the defence of our country, that spirit was very much in evidence from the earliest days and is alive and well today.
The guiding principle from those early years remains unchanged: training personnel in their spare time to become an effective part of the wider RAF when required. Today, the RAuxAF establishment is 3250 personnel with thirty units across the country.
The Band of the RAuxAF is recruiting: Further information
