RAF Regiment in Kandahar

[bushyredsocks]

Harry, I was half way writing a reply to you there and realised you were right. The Regt. does dominate an area of 20km by 20km. But I dont think davo really understands lol.

In reply to the original post, its quite obvious that the Regt. are already stretched as it is without any additional operations. 400kms is ALOT of ground to dominate for any regiment, let alone the RAF Regiment with a strength of just over 2000 men intaking 6 month tours.

An offensive, front line, fast reaction infantry force like the para's, are obviously going to be the favoured option for the MOD on an operation like this.

The RAF Regiment are aiming for 600 new recruits in one year. They're crying out for gunners.

[Alfa]

Also, they are a fully fledged infantry force, cant believe someone said the Regiment arent infantry. I mean, fair enough their main priority is to defend, but thats based on the doctrine that attack is the best form of defence!

What I meant was that the way in which an Army Infantry Regiment is used and deployed is a lot different to how the RAF Regt is used despite their Infantry training and that was the point I was trying to make.

See my original answer:

The RAF Regt might be a capable unit and their training may involve infantry type training but they're not Infantry and so will not be employed in that role as they already have their own job to do which at it's core will be force protection for whichever Air Base they're stationed at.

[bushyredsocks]

Alfa I know what you're saying but you worded your original reply wrong:

but they're not Infantry

I was just stating that they are infantry.

Of course there's a big difference in an army regiment and the RAF regiment, they're priorities are completely different but the RAF Regiment are still infantry.

[Hyperlithe]

they're = they are
their = belonging to them

Just a little grammar point!

[Long Timer]

The RAF Regiment are aiming for 600 new recruits in one year. They're crying out for gunners.

600 for the next 3 years to be precise

I was just stating that they are infantry.

Actually we prefer to think of ourselves as Infantry trained, semantics dear boy

LT

[Tab]

Now if they send you out to engage the the Taliban, just who would guard the RAF station there. Lets face it when you sign on for the RAF regiment their tasks are basically to guard the RAF Station and not to work as infantry soldiers. No I am not saying that you are not up to it but it is not your role.

[bushyredsocks]

Fair point there Tab

[bushyredsocks]

Long Timer :

600 for the next 3 years to be precise

No mate, 600 gunners in ONE year. I was told this when I was at RAF Honnington by a Flight Sgt, and in case that isnt enough, check out this page
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news ... 3763609.jp
(Seventh Paragraph)
Flight Lieutenant Matt McMinn, station regiment officer at RAF Wittering, said: “The RAF regiment needs to recruit a total of 600 gunners during the next financial year and this incentive should, at least, help with the retention of our young but highly-trained RAF gunners.”

Secondly,

Actually we prefer to think of ourselves as Infantry trained, semantics dear boy

No disrespect but it doesn't really matter what you 'prefer to think of yourselves' as, the fact is that the RAF Reg is infantry. First line of the Regiment page on the RAF website:
'Join the RAF as a Gunner and you’ll be joining a specialist infantry unit'

[havent_a_scooby]

They're recruiting almost 4 squadrons worth of gunners in a year? The RAF REGT getting a new role or something?

[stever]

600 rockapes they will have to build new hangers to sweep

[Long Timer]

Long Timer :

600 for the next 3 years to be precise

No mate, 600 gunners in ONE year. I was told this when I was at RAF Honnington by a Flight Sgt, and in case that isnt enough, check out this page
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news ... 3763609.jp
(Seventh Paragraph)
Flight Lieutenant Matt McMinn, station regiment officer at RAF Wittering, said: “The RAF regiment needs to recruit a total of 600 gunners during the next financial year and this incentive should, at least, help with the retention of our young but highly-trained RAF gunners.”

Secondly,

Actually we prefer to think of ourselves as Infantry trained, semantics dear boy

No disrespect but it doesn't really matter what you 'prefer to think of yourselves' as, the fact is that the RAF Reg is infantry. First line of the Regiment page on the RAF website:
'Join the RAF as a Gunner and you’ll be joining a specialist infantry unit'

Perhaps I should have made myself a little clearer - 600 per year for the next 3 years to be precise

[bushyredsocks]

Sure mate, sure

[Long Timer]

Sure mate, sure

Okay, lets get a couple of things straight here. Firstly I am not your 'mate'. Secondly you will see that I have updated my profile to reflect my current location.

LT Out

[Hyperlithe]

LT, he's already been pulled up once for being a twonk. Didn't get the message then either.

[stever]

i take there will be some reforming of "field" sqns ie the black widows 58 sqn raf regiment