RAF to allow women in combat roles

WOMEN will be able to serve in all RAF positions from September, the Defence Secretary announced yesterday.

Sir Michael Fallon said the Royal Air Force will be the first service to allow women to carry out combat roles.

Women will be able to join the RAF Regiment, the ground force which protects bases and equipment, where they will be able to fight in handto-hand combat using grenades, rifles, machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

The regiment was due to open its ranks in 2018, but the move was brought forward after a review.