Air Force Chief Announces Events for RAF Anniversary
Tuesday 18th March saw the launch of a series of events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force.
The Royal Air Force was formed on the 1st April 1918. Over the course of the 90 ensuing years, its equipment may have changed but, as Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy said yesterday, its role has remained “essential.”
"90 years is a significant milestone", Torpy – the Chief of the Air Staff – said, in comments made at the Royal Air Museum in North London.
"What we have seen over those years is the essential role the RAF has played. Indeed, we have seen the changing nature of warfare, from those very flimsy aircraft over the trenches of France, to events of the last 25 years: the Falklands, the first Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It’s easy to forget that the RAF has now been flying continuously in the Middle East for 17 years."
The launch event saw the presence of representatives of both the modern day RAF, and from its very earliest days. Representing the latter was Henry Allingham – now 111 years old.
Allingham – the oldest man living in Britain – served with the Royal Naval Air Service – the organisation that, in 1918, combined with the Royal Flying Corps to create the RAF.
Another participant in the launch event was Bravo November – a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter.
Bravo November – which took part in the Falklands Conflict 26 years ago – has played a part in every conflict since then.
London Flypast to Feature Red Arrows, Typhoons, Historic Aircraft
Sir Glenn detailed a number of upcoming events that will honour the anniversary.
On the actual day itself – April 1st – a large-scale flypast will take place over London. This, he said, will feature the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, and examples of the RAF’s most up-to-date combat aircraft – the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Also taking part will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whose fleet of historic aircraft includes the Avro Lancaster four-engined World War 2 bomber, as well as two Hawker Hurricanes and five Supermarine Spitfires.
The final celebration will take place three-and-a-half months later, at the Royal International Air Tattoo – the world’s largest military airshow.
Sir Glenn spoke of how he viewed the RAF of years to come.
"I think what we’ll see is continued improvement in equipment, the way we train our people, our capabilities being networked together, and more synthetic training”, he said.
"The spirit, the ethos, the values and the pride people have in delivering air power is exactly the same today [as it was in 1918].”
Source – Armed Forces International’s Aviation Expert
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