MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Ministry of Defence praises RAF on its 90th anniversary

Royal Air Force Red Arrows flew with 4 Typhoon aircraft along the River Thames<br>Photo MoD

Britain's Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans at the Ministry of Defence Derek Twigg paid tribute to the Royal Air Force on its 90th anniversary praising the “professionalism and bravery” of all the men and women who have served in the RAF since April first 1918.

Twigg underlined RAF' role in defending the UK's interests and the multiple activities it currently displays all over the world from humanitarian and life saving to war fighting, from Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan to the far distant deployment in the South Atlantic Falkland Islands. "Over the last 90 years the Royal Air Force has operated around the world on and over every continent, in every major UK conflict, to defend the interests of the UK. In its short history, the RAF has made a huge impact on the world stage. First and foremost, that is credit to the brave men and women who serve and have served in the Royal Air Force. From urgent humanitarian assistance to life saving search and rescue operations, from medical support in Kosovo to war fighting in Afghanistan, they have served and continue to serve with bravery and distinction. "On April 1 1918 the Royal Air Force, the world's first independent air force, was formed out of the squadrons of the Army Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. It had become apparent that duplication and competition for scarce resources were undermining the efficient delivery of this powerful new instrument. "By the end of the First World War, the RAF was the largest air force in the world with a staggering 23,000 aerial platforms. "It is difficult to comprehend the enormous contribution and sacrifice of the personnel of Coastal and Bomber Command during the Second World War and of course without the dedication and bravery of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain our entire nation would have been lost. "More recently the RAF have been policing the skies over Iraq for seventeen years; they have also been deployed in the Falkland Islands for twenty five years. As well as these longer term commitments, the RAF remains ready to react at a moment's notice. "Delivery of aid to remote and inaccessible locations following natural and man-made disasters, such as after the Tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake, as well as providing search and rescue cover at home in the UK, are roles which the RAF has carried out across the span of its history. "Now, as the RAF did right back at the time of its formation, the Service works in close cooperation with the other Armed Forces on joint operations. In Afghanistan today the Air Force are making a huge difference in the air and on the ground in support of British military operations. I have no doubt that many Servicemen and women owe their lives to the intervention of their RAF colleagues. "The commitment and sacrifices of the airmen and women, regulars and reserves, over the last 90 years should rightly be remembered and celebrated by us all. I thank RAF Veterans, young and old, for their contributions and they will, I am sure, join me in wishing those currently serving all the very best on this special anniversary. As the Under Secretary of State for Defence it is my privilege and honor to serve men and women such as these. I have seen them at work in Afghanistan and elsewhere, and I remain extremely proud of their professionalism and bravery".