I have had to do some research at work about the regiment and its role in offensive campaigns, I have found this in the journal of the Royal Airforce historical socitey No.15 as it descirbes the Regiments role within the 2 Tactical Airforce.

“A highly successful operation involving three RAF Regiment task forces passed the Army forward positions and moved up into the Schleswig-Holstein, occupying airfields right up to the Danish boarder and in the islands. In this operation the Regiment seized 15 airfields and received the surrender of over 50,000 troops, a large number of German Generals and Staff officers. inevitably in the final stages of the campaign pockets of the enemy put up some exceptionally stiff resistance, a lot of severe actions took place and we suffered many casualties.”

This is just one of many things i have found researching the regiments history i hope it helps.

Also cutting down the JCBRN Regiment was crazy, i just never knew it was that crazy by getting rid of the FUCHS…. what a bunch of mongs.

After the failure to hold Crete from the German invasion force, we lost a vital air hold due to lack of defence from the Army who were otherwise occupied in other campaigns. Winston Churchill was outraged of the loss of the RAF airfield there which was vital for operations, so after discussing the situation an idea was conceived that an Aerodrome Defence Corps should be formed for the protection of RAF airfields. So on the 1st February 1942, King George the 6th warranted that the Corps of the Royal Air Force Regiment be formed within the RAF. Thereafter all RAF airfields in theatre had squadrons of RAF Regiment defending them. The role of the Corps was not just defence, but was also used in offence in such campaigns as Normandy, Cassino and Burma.
So although the RAF Regiment is part of the RAF, it is a Corps and not a trade as all other RAF departments.

Essential? Not sure about that, to be honest. You know what happened to the last British soldiers to be attacked with chemical weapons? They all died OF OLD AGE.

It would give them something to do, and free up a few Marines for other tasks.

Surely the important thing about the Fuchs is protection from the nasty NBC stuff more than protection from bullets etc. ?

Maybe they might have to give them back!

Failing that, expect to see them for a knock down price at Withams very shortly! There us no way these fcukwits will keep them just in case they may be needed in the future!

I dare not think what they will cut next!

Yes, if the plans do not include a CBRN variant of the FRES SV, then it is of the utmost importance that the Fuchs vehicles are placed in low humidity storage against an emergency. Actually, that should still happen even if the the FRES SV plans do include a variant. Such programmes are often cancelled, are they not?

Note that my shock is not due to the RAF Regiment getting the totality of the job, but is due to the CBRN regiment being left without its most capable component, the Fuchs, which is also that little bit of high-mobile armor protection they have.

CBRN never really did get an hold in the UK, did it…?
Most armies, from US to several major european armies, all but have a CBRN company in each brigade, after all, while the UK is all but cutting back on its only formation in the role.

…

FRES SV CBRN variant, anyone…?

With the RAF Reg calling itself a corps, the Parachute Regiment was once called the Parachute Corps, perhaps it’s all part of that ‘big three’ nonsense…

Back in the mists of time I think Churchill wanted to put them on a similar footing to the Royal Marines.

I used to the pull the leg of an ex-cadet of mine who joined the RE by constantly referring to it as a “regiment.” I would always get a very colourful reply conveying to me that the RE was a corps…….

I’m not sure and I’m based with them in Honnington…I think it dates back to when the regiment was too small to be ccalled as such, however your far more to hear them call themselves ‘the regiment’ or ‘rock apes’…but I prefer pebble monkies

Gabriele

I think they are capable enough to fullfill the role, how is it absurd? They are given enhanced training from normal infantry…all the difference is their cap badge and uniform colour..
Only ‘benefit’ if there is any, is that at they are RAF, transporting them to areas would be more quicker…then again, I doubt thats the case.

I think this should be a joint unit, not specialist within one arm of the forces…alas.

The withdrawl of the Fuchs, then I agree 100% – the threat from chemical weapons from terror organisations/indiduals is far greater than state sponsored/directed aggression to our country, its crazy, yet another capability cut, and I doubt a lot that the media will have anything to say about it :/

TD mentions the question of how much the Red Arrows and Kings Troop Royal Artillery cost per year. I disagreed with him previously about the importance of ceremonial and pageantry, arguing that it was important symbolism and an essential part of the nation’s tradition. However, I am now coming round very much to his point of view, especially in the light of this decision. And it won’t be the last!

Gabby has chosen ‘le mot juste’ to describe the decision. It is ‘absurd’! Madness!

And my reaction had honestly been “No way, you gotta be kidding…!”

…

Folly.
How does this fit in the Terrorism being Tier 1 threat and all that – now it really is official – JUNK?
This is just completely, royally ABSURD.