RAF Force Protection HQ

DEFENDING THE RAF AND ENABLING

AIR AND SPACE POWER by Air Cdre Jamie Thompson Force Commander

Global security is an increasingly complex issue, which is influenced by many factors including the pace of technological change and the pervasiveness of information. Competition for resources, territory and political power are all concerns which influence military thinking when it comes to the types of forces and capabilities required for the Royal Air Force over the coming years. In July 2022 as a Force we were able to showcase our Next Generation vision at the Global Air Space and Chief Conference in London and I hope that that you will enjoy reading about how we deliver our mission now and how it will develop in the future.

Charged with protecting the RAF and enabling the freedom of action of Air and Space Power, RAF Force Protection is the element which provides security and ground combat capabilities for the wider RAF and comprises the RAF Regiment and RAF Police.

The RAF of the 21st Century will be protected and enabled by a Next Generation Force Protection system. Understanding the threats of today, and the future, while acknowledging our changing cultures and reliance on technology is the cornerstone of how the FP Force will adapt. With world-class intelligence-led Security capabilities, the Force will be configured for rapid entry into high threat environments, with lightweight forces that are also able to endure on more protracted operations.

As Air Land Integration and Command and Control experts, the RAF Regiment are highly trained close combat specialists that patrol and dominate the areas outside of our airbases to ensure that no enemy can endanger our assets and people. From controlling precision air strikes to recovering downed aircrew the RAF Regiment are trained to operate for extended lengths of time in the most austere environments. They are hunters who can utilise a wide array of weapons, vehicles and sensors to find, deter and destroy our enemies and dominate the Complex Air

Ground Environment.

Our RAF Police specialists conduct surveillance, counterespionage and defensive cyber operations alongside digital forensics and law enforcement wherever the RAF are deployed. Fusing multi-domain information to provide timely intelligence, they are threat hunters in both the real world and in cyberspace. With their Military Working Dogs, the RAF Police can search out explosives, narcotics and other threats, while also deterring potential criminals and terrorists.

All of these capabilities work together, and every day we have well over 500 of our personnel deployed on global operations. Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems teams stand ready to detect and intercept drones and human intelligence teams work with the local population to identify the presence of the abnormal.

New communications systems are allowing commanders and troops to make rapid and effective decisions, wherever they are deployed, linking every specialist and providing them the most interactive and complete threat picture. The fusing of such multidomain information provides timely intelligence allowing us to target and defeat threats before they can engage us.

We continue to push the boundaries on experimentation to approach tasks in unique ways. Robotics and autonomous ground systems are freeing up personnel to focus on more specialist tasks! But evolution is not just about ‘getting new kit’. We value proven capability. And the RAF Police Military Working Dogs provide unrivalled Search, Detect and Deter effects. Deployed globally they are valued and effective team members!

We are a specialist force which is uniquely trained and equipped to protect the RAF and enable its freedom of action. The FP Force is evolving now and #NextGenFP starts here!