RAF opens door to women on front line
Women will be free to join the RAF Regiment from September after planned move is brought forward
The RAF has become the first service to scrap all restrictions on women in front-line combat roles. The air force was due to allow women into the RAF Regiment, which secures airfields and protects aircraft, by the end of next year, but the move has been brought forward to September. Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, said it would be a “defining moment”.
THE RAF has become the first service to scrap all restrictions on women serving in front-line combat roles, by allowing them to join the unit that protects airbases. Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, said the move would be a “defining moment” for the RAF.
It comes after it announced women would be free to serve in the RAF Regiment from September.
The RAF’S ground force, which secures airfields and protects aircraft, was due to open its recruitment to women by the end of next year, but the move has been bought forward. Women have been flying as combat pilots in the RAF for more than 20 years.
David Cameron last year announced he would remove the ban on women in ground close combat roles across the Armed Forces. The Royal Armoured Corps began taking female recruits last year and the infantry and Royal Marines are due to accept women candidates next year.
Sir Michael said yesterday: “A diverse force is a more operationally effective force. So I’m delighted that the RAF Regiment will be open to recruitment to women from September.
“Individuals who are capable of meeting the standards for the regiment will be given the opportunity to serve, regardless of their gender.
“This is a defining moment for the RAF as it becomes the first service to have every trade and branch open to both genders.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said: “The RAF is committed to providing equal opportunity to all so it’s fantastic to be able to open recruitment to the RAF Regiment to women ahead of schedule.
“We want the best and most talented individuals to join the Air Force, regardless of their gender, race or background. A diverse force is a more effective force and we need the best people to deliver the important work we do, be it defeating Daesh in Iraq and Syria or protecting Britain’s skies.”
On Tuesday, Tory peer Earl Attlee criticised the recruitment of women into the Royal Marines Commando unit as he spoke during a House of Lords debate. The former frontbencher said it was “simply ridiculous” for ministers to claim combat effectiveness will not be reduced by having women serving as combat infantrymen. Lord Attlee, who has served as a major in the Territorial Army, added it was “even more ludicrous” to have female Royal Marines Commandos.
He told peers: “I have never ever in my entire life been fit and strong enough to be commando-trained.
“Until I turned 45 there were very few women who were as strong as me, so I cannot understand how you are going to have female Royal Marines Commandos without reducing combat effectiveness.”