PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Air Commodore Steven Abbott CBE MPhil BA RAF
Commandant General and President RAF Regiment Association
I am fortunate that my appointment as Commandant General Royal Air Force Regiment has allowed me to keep in touch with Association colleagues and friends and am delighted to be able to contribute to this splendid new website.
I am privileged to hold not only the appointment of Commandant General but also President of the Association. Getting here has been a journey that may be far longer than some of you may appreciate. I have enjoyed 33 years service in the Royal Air Force Regiment, but in addition I was born into our Corps and grew up within it. My father, himself an Association member, served for 33 years, retiring in 1982. I mention this only to assure you that I am determined that, whatever the future holds for the Armed Forces of this country, the Corps will continue to play its distinctive, vital and thankfully well-recognized role in the defence of our airfields and installations just as it did when many of you served. We are a family; and the Association, which owes so much to the determined efforts of my predecessor, Air Commodore Drissell, has a vital part to play in ensuring that such a widely-dispersed family stays in touch. The past is behind us and I ask that all of you play your part in ensuring that we learn from it and make the most of the fine organization we now have and that you give your full support to its officials.
As you might expect there is more. The Corps is currently engaged in bitter combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our contribution is immense and widely recognized. But, while the award of a Military Cross to Flight Lieutenant Matt Carter is particular recognition of the professionalism and sheer courage we instil in all of our people, the deaths of young Gunners killed in action is a reminder, if it is needed, of the intensity of the operations. Our hearts go out to the families of those killed and – we must never forget - those wounded as well. At a more mundane, but still important, level the operational pressure and tempo takes it toll of our people, particularly the junior gunners. Inevitably, many leave and recruiting their replacements in modern Britain is a challenge. This is where each of you can play a part by keeping the Corps in the public eye in any way you can, wherever and whenever opportunity presents itself; anything, however small, helps.
For my part I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can during my tenure as Commandant General and your President, and sharing your experiences and memories. I am convinced that if we lose sight of where we came from and the experiences that shaped us, we have no hope of knowing where we are going.
PerArdua