What is the point of the RAF?

[Ascot 1960]

Hi All, This BBC doc tomorrow
What is the point of the RAF?

Next on: BBC Radio 4
Tomorrow, (17/8/2010) 09:00 on BBC Radio 4

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00td8zb/episodes/upcoming


All over the country, events are being held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, when the bravery of the Few saved these islands from a Nazi invasion. Even if some historians have had the temerity to suggest it was actually the navy that done it, it's an opportune moment for the RAF to remind us of their historic contribution, and why we need them in the future.

Which is why exactly?

Britain was the first country in the world to have an independent air force. To get rid of it is unthinkable, isn't it?

Defence secretary Liam Fox has promised that the Governments strategic defence review will be ruthless and unsentimental - will he listen to the RAF's critics? They claim that a bloated higher command structure in Whitehall argues for fast jets we cant afford for a war we wont be fighting. Oh - and its uniforms are horrible and they can't march properly.

Historian Max Hastings, War correspondent Sam Kiley, former defence secretary Geoff Hoon and retired Colonel Tim Collins are among those who join Quentin to ask the question, What is the point of the RAF?

[davephelan]

I listened to this programme last night . It made very depressing listening .The truth is, that despite our much vaunted neutrality, it was the UK armed forces who provided our actual defense .How many times have we heard on the radio etc , over the years, that RAF or RN sea kings are passing trough ireland , heading to a rescue in the atlantic, usually with nimrod top cover . Anyone who knows current or recently retired RAF personnel will know  the dire state of the UK armed forces . The way things are looking, there may soon be no RAF at all