Tony, ABI
Guys, I have watched your thread and maybe I could help you out, in short,the relevant units are as good as that operation, task, exercise goes bearing in mind the restrictions imposed by higher authorities and role or task the unit has been given, believe it or not, we all have a part to play, well I did do.... you two are focussed on the individual units and pardon the phrase pissing in the wind, you all need to look at the bigger picture, Tony as you go through your career and reach NCO status this will become more apparent.
I would like to clarify a few things for all parties, this is not from a book it is what I know and have been through.....
A small bit of background about me
I served with RAF Regiment for over 13 years, have been to many places, exercises, ops, NI, x3 Uniform and Non Uniform Tours, BOS, Jungle training to name but a few... the Raf Regt as I remember, about 4 years ago, the role changed drastically literally overnight, they were originally tasked for airfield defence and to some degree is still true today, Rapier missiles and something else, but within the RAF Regiment there are more individual squadrons and units such as 2 Sqn which I am going to contrite on because I served there for over 6 years.. Who’s role was out of area operations, working very closely with yourself ABI in conjunction with 5AB and the special forces, particularly in Scotland I am not going to go in depth here.... coming to the point of CSAR, this was handed to the RAF Regiment some time ago, by 22 and I was involved with the trials, we worked as a Sqn in the mountains of Scotland with a RM advisor, to put another point forward, the Regiment are not elite, as soon as you call yourself elite, then you put yourself on a pedestal ready to be knocked off... but I will put some facts forward for you digest.
The Raf Regiment have a number of men attached to 22... quite a few considering the numbers it has as whole.
A 22 Troop Officer ran a Raf Regt Sqn
The Colonel of 22 on two occasions was RAF Regt.
The Raf Regt... have been in Ireland since the troubles began and were arguably the first in, because of the airfield defence... a D notice was put in place to stop this being broadcasted.
The Raf Regiment have served in all theatres of operations some times as advisers rather than whole sqns.. but they have been there in some capacity, most recently Afghanistan and now the Gulf.. they were tasked with some sensitive tasks… which unfortunately I can not tell you about, I am sure when the conflict is over things will come out…. Please don’t ask.
The Raf Regiment were involved with rescuing British hostages in a particular country and worked with some members of Special Forces to extract them.
The list goes on........
The Raf Regiment was formed in 1942 (Same as the Special Air Service)… and they have strong ties even today.
In summary, I am not having a go at anybody just putting some considerations forward, I have had the pleasure to work with Royals and the Rarge alike, at the end of the day guys, we look after each other... remember the big picture.
The Regiment, and this my opinion only, suffers because in relation to other units it is small and not a great deal is known about it.. That is why people have commented the way they have... ABI I am sure that we have been in the same air space, Purple Star comes to mind, and I know the sergeants who were on secondment to Para Reg, anyway enough of my waffle, if I can help anybody being bias here, with Raf Regiment although I am slightly out of date, but keep my ears to the ground then I will.
All the best... through endeavour... stay tight
Beefy
. And while I agree the RAF regiment aren't elite (I'd put them between the regular amy and the elites), Tony specifically said "new unit" - there is nothing to say they won't have superior training/selection to the regular reg, in fact I would expect it. It would be in the same way that while the RM's ar elites, the specialists within them (BPT) are often considered SF.
I'm sure most of them smell worse than Hobbits. 
