A Dinner commemorating the Centenary of the founding of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force was held at Royal Air Force Cranwell on 28th February 2024. Attendees included His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, Air Chief Marshal the Lord Peach, the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, the Force’s hierarchy, representatives from all units of the Force and former Force dignitaries .
The Sovereign’s Colour was paraded and nine of the Force’s Squadron Standards were on display.
Music was provided by an Ensemble of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Band who played, for the first time, ‘Comitamur’ – the Royal Auxiliary Air Force March commissioned especially to celebrate the Force’s Centenary. The meal was prepared by Royal Auxiliary Air Force chefs from 502 (Ulster) Squadron, 504 (City of Nottingham) Squadron and and 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron. A video of the chefs at work can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/royalairforce/videos/1221427135499423?locale=en_GB or https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7170772562229080064/
Tributes were paid to the Force and its history by His Royal Highness, the Lord Peach and the Commandant General, Air Vice-Marshal Munro, who read out the following letter which he had received that day from the Chief of the Air Staff:
Message from the Chief of the Air Staff
I am very sorry that I am not able to join you and your comrades in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force this evening to celebrate your Centenary. This is a hugely important milestone and I hope I will be able to celebrate it with many of you during the year. While the Royal Auxiliary Air Force may have changed a great deal in the past century, Trenchard’s vision of an elite corps of civilians remains in your DNA. You and your predecessors have played a vital role in the operational success of the RAF over the past 100 years.
The history of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force has been a glorious one. From those first squadrons formed in 1925 through to those supporting operational missions in the Middle East today, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force has been critical to the protection of our country, our people, and our interests around the world. Your dedication, commitment, loyalty, and professionalism are only matched by your passion for our Service and the role you fulfil. As I look to the future, I see only a stronger, bigger, and more important Royal Auxiliary Air Force. I look forward to working with you all to build it over the next few years. For now, enjoy the celebrations, and thank you.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng
The MOD Press Release of the event can be seen here.