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Armed Forces Minister visits RAF Regiment

RAF Honington is home to three of the RAF Regiment’s operational field squadrons as well as supporting elements. It also houses the regiment…

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

RAF Honington is home to three of the RAF Regiment’s operational field squadrons as well as supporting elements.

It also houses the regiment’s Training Wing, which oversees the entire process of training a recruit to be a highly effective, operational RAF Regiment ‘Gunner’.

The Force Protection Centre is responsible for ensuring that all members of the regiment as well as wider RAF personnel are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to deploy on operations worldwide.

Also present on base is a Regional Rehabilitation Unit which is responsible for the physical recuperation of personnel including those injured on operations.

The Minister toured all of these facilities, viewed equipment and spoke to personnel.

15 Squadron RAF Regiment, which has recently returned from Afghanistan, hosted the Minister for a capability display and gave the view of life on the ground whilst supporting air operations. Mr Harvey said:

I have come to see the RAF Regiment to understand what they do, a lot of it is very specialised work but very important. But also to pay tribute to 15 Squadron RAF Regiment who had a very successful winter tour at Kandahar where the RAF Regiment has performed wonderfully over several years.

The role of the RAF Regiment is absolutely crucial, as maintaining air power over Afghanistan is integral to everything that we do.

Group Captain Andy Hall, Station Commander at RAF Honington and RAF Regiment Force Commander, said:

We have enjoyed having the opportunity to demonstrate to the Minister the extent of our capacity, the significant output of current operations, and our preparations for likely future tasks.

Published 2 August 2011