BBC Interview with Commander Task Force Helmand

Radio 4 Today presenter Sarah Montague has been in Afghanistan and has broadcast a series of packages from there. The broadcast this morning featured an interview with the Commander of Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Rupert... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The Summer issue of Envoy is now available online

Included in this issue: From the other side of the Fence, RAF Fortitude, Tales from the Domestic Frontline, NEM Consultation launch, an 8-page pullout on the Armed Forces Covenant and much, much more... More information.

The third of the UK's F-35 Lightning II aircraft has arrived in the States

The third of the UK's F-35 short take-off and vertical landing Lightning II aircraft has arrived at Eglin US Air Force Base in Florida.  The aircraft will be used for pilot and maintainer training for the UK team currently... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard join Red Arrows practice session

FORMULA One driver Lewis Hamilton experienced the speed and agility of a fast jet when he joined the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, for a practice session. Hamilton and engineers from his... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

It is within your gift to empower negotiations

Gp Capt Clifford, reiterates the powerful message that completing online surveys and joining in with consultations, can send. In his latest letter to the Diaspora, Gp Capt Clifford, RAF High Wycombe Stn Cdr & Gp Capt US Visiting Forces, wrote... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

6 Sqn prove themselves in the Middle East on Ex Shaheen Star 5

RAF personnel from 6 Sqn, RAF Leuchars have been taking part in a multinational exercise from 906 Expeditionary Air Wing in the Middle East. Exercise Shaheen Star 5, is a Combined Air Operation exercise conducted over... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

A quarter of those looking to join the the RAF and RN are failing the fitness tests

The new tests have been running since the beginning of the year in civilian sports and fitness centres around the county but the results are... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Celebrity chef Phil Vickery goes head to head with RAF Reserve Chef and loses

ITV1’s “This Morning” hosted a live Armed Forces Day cook-off in which Celebrity chef Phil Vickery took on and lost to chefs from the RAF, Army and Navy on Uniform to Work Day. During the competition... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Defence Secretary issues Statement to Personnel on Spending Round 2013

The Defence Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff have issued statements following Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement on the Spending Round 2013. Philip Hammond said:  "The savings that I have agreed will have... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

1 Squadron RAF Regiment are presented with a new Standard

1 Squadron RAF Regiment, RAF Honington, has been presented with a new Standard by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton. Awarded to... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

"Help me to understand the RAF"

We hear from parents of recruits and potential recruits, who do not understand the RAF system seek reassurance of the career path their child has chosen... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Reservists show their pride by wearing their uniform to work

Reservists across the country from the RAF, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army will be swapping their civilian clothes for military uniforms today (26 Jun 13) to celebrate the fifth Uniform to Work Day. The day highlights the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Your Federation Your Voice

The last 36 hours has brought disruption to our website, it now seems likely it has also affected our emails. If you have sent an email to the RAF FF during the period... www.raf-ff.org.uk

RAF senior officer wins damages in case against the MoD

Gp Capt Wendy Williams has won damages in a sexual discrimination case against the MoD. The case was brought, when in 2011 the highest ranking nurse in the RAF was passed over for promotion in favour of a... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

New longer Basic training course now includes Force Development.

RAF recruits have graduated from the new, longer, Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton. The graduating recruits were the first to begin the new extended training course which... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF win the World's biggest 24 Hour Mountain Bike Endurance Event

The World's biggest 24 Hour Mountain Bike Endurance Event held at Gatcombe Park has once again been won by the RAF in the Services category. Finishing 3rd overall behind Pro/Elite riders from the Scott and Salsa factory team were... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Chancellor:"We are not going to reduce the number of our sailors, soldiers and airmen"

The Chancellor, George Osborne will announce on Wednesday £11.5bn worth of cuts in the latest spending review. But he revealed on Sunday that in agreement with the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, he would make "no reduction... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Your Federation Your Voice

We have had problems with our website during the last 24hrs. The site is now back and functioning normally - we apologise for the interuption to our normal service. www.raf-ff.org.uk

Typhoon and Hawk boost British defence exports - the largest increase for 5 years

British defence exports rose by 62% in 2012 – the largest increase for 5 years. New figures published by UK Trade & Investment’s Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) show that UK defence exports totalled... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The Armed Forces Day flag is flying high over 10 Downing Street

The Armed Forces Day flag is flying high above 10 Downing Street today as celebrations build up to the fifth annual Armed Forces Day, taking place on Saturday 29 June. In advance of the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Step-change in Armed Forces vehicle Requirements

This year's Defence Vehicle Dynamics event illustrates the step-change being experienced by the UK's Armed Forces as they begin to draw down in Afghanistan. Organisers of Defence Vehicle Dynamics 2013, the UK’s biggest... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Entering into Naval Service - ScanEagle

UK warships are to benefit from a new surveillance capability as part of a £30 million contract signed by the MoD. ScanEagle is a maritime reconnaissance asset that can be launched from the back of... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Supreme Court ruling on Combat Immunity

There are today many media reports on the judgement by the Supreme Court on combat immunity. In response, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "Our thoughts remain... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Antiques Roadshow comes from RAF Marham - Sun 23 Jun 13

BBC 1 Antiques Roadshow has filmed two 1hr programmes of its current 2012/13 series at RAF Marham. Personnel, units, equipment and the capabilities of RAF Marham, particularly in supporting operations, are woven... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

NEM Consultation - The RAF FAMILY members view

The NEM team has responded to cries at the lack of feedback opportunities for family members by encouraging Service personnel to sit down with their... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

NEM CONSULTATION - The biggest change to the RAF in a generation

The Rt Hon Mark Francois MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, has launched a consultation exercise with Service personnel and their families on the modernisation of terms and conditions of service through a New Employment Model (NEM). The main points: The consultation will run until... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF navigator receives bravery award from the French

A RAF navigator has been awarded a top French medal for the second time in three years, for heroism under fire while protecting civilians from attack by... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Our Stories in RAF News - Forces Families Hit once More

A lady is hugely irritated that, yet again, the Budget has had a negative impact on HM Forces families. In her words: "This time with the ludicrous decision to... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The RAF, MoD and QinetiQ celebrate 70 years of the Empire Test Pilots’ School

The RAF, MoD and defence company QinetiQ have been celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS), a world leading facility for training test pilots and flight test engineers. Established by the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF Typhoon weapons upgrade agreed at Paris airshow

During a short ceremony at the Paris Air Show, Defence Ministers from the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain witnessed a contract being signed between Eurofighter and NATO Eurofighter and... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

NATO forces formally hand over to Afghan security forces

President Hamid Karzai announced the move as his countrymen officially assumed responsibility for security from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). President Karzai said: "Our security and... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Voyager - The new aircraft of 101 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton

95 years after its formation during the first World War, 101 Squadron, based at RAF Brize Norton begins flying the 21st Century Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft, Voyager. Voyager will... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The mighty SAAB JA37 Viggen is to display at the RAF Waddington Airshow

The RAF Waddington International Air Show is the largest of all RAF air shows, regularly attended by over 125,000 visitors.  The show offers an unforgettable family day out. The spectacular 7-hour flying display with... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Young players perform a moving tribute at RAF Scampton

Young actors from the University of Lincoln School of Performing Arts have staged a moving tribute to the original Dambusters at RAF Scampton. Seventy years after the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The Army say good-bye to 4480 in their latest round of redundancies

The Army has today issued their latest round of redundancies, the largest so far, in their bid to reduce overall numbers from 108,000 to 82,000 by 2018. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "Today we have... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Good Housekeeping would like to feature RAF wives and mothers

From Moya Sarner at Good Housekeeping. Last year, Good Housekeeping magazine received wonderful letters from readers moved and inspired by the military heroines we... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF to kick-off the Armed Force Day celebrations

The Red Arrows will lead the display of military aircraft past and present in the skies over Nottingham on 29 Jun 13 for Armed Forces Day. Performing in their... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

The Queen's Birthday Honours granted to RAF Personnel

RAF Honours and awards granted to RAF personnel in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2013. Appointment to the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

HQ British Forces to move from Lashkar Gah to Camp Bastion

The headquarters of British forces deployed in Afghanistan is set to move from Lashkar Gah to Camp Bastion this summer, the Defence Secretary has announced during a visit to... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF perform immaculate flypast for the Queen's Official Birthday

A formation of RAF helicopters and fixed wing aircraft provided the impressive finale to Saturday's celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s Official birthday. At precisely 1pm a formation of 32 aircraft led by Chinook and Merlin helicopters flew... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Armed Forces personnel are being urged to talk

Armed Forces personnel are being urged to talk about issues that are worrying them using a social media website. bigwhitewall.com is a free online space where serving personnel, veterans and... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF Aircrew to benefit from new military flying kit

Aircrew are set to benefit from new personal equipment designed specifically to meet their flying needs. As part of a series of contracts worth more than £11 million new body armour, combat boots and eyewear will be provided to all... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

12 (B) Sqn RAF in final preparations for Afghan mission

The RAF's 12 (Bomber) Sqn is being put through its paces at RAF Lossiemouth this week as it makes final preparations before deployment to Afghanistan. Dubbed 'War Week', the exercise is the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Is the Armed Forces Covenant all it's cracked up to be?

Read your responses and the conclusions we draw. The RAF Families Federation Survey Report is now online... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Her Majesty The Queen's birthday Flypast - Sat 15th June

This is the formation for Saturday’s flypast in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s Official Birthday. The first aircraft, approaching from the... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Worlds most sophisticated fast jet training from the RAF

The first four RAF pilots have graduated from the UK’s new advanced fast jet training course. It is a major milestone for the world’s most sophisticated fast jet training programme, which brings together the new... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

Dazzling Display at RAF Cosford Airshow

A crowd of over 50,000 flocked to RAF Cosford to enjoy the brilliant sunshine and equally dazzling air and ground displays at last Sunday's Cosford Airshow. With the joint themes of the 75th anniversary of the Station (it opened on... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link

RAF's 8 Sqn show off their new Guardian

After years of privately funded restoration 8 Sqn will formally unveil its Hawker Hunter as part of the Squadron Association’s annual reunion. Many former and currently serving... More information. If you are viewing on a mobile device click here., 

RAF Museum successfully raises Luftwaffe aircraft from the English Channel

The only known example of a Second World War Dornier Do 17 aircraft has been successfully lifted from Goodwin Sands in the English Channel. Earlier plans to lift... More information. If you are using a Mobile device please use this link

Taking Service talent into the Classroom

The Troops to Teachers graduate and non-graduate programmes have been launched. The government today launched Troops to Teachers - a new scheme designed to make it easier for highly-skilled former... More information. If you are using a MOBILE DEVICE please use this link