FOREWORD
FOREWORD BY T
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, THE RT HON PHILIP HAMMOND
here is no doubt that 2011 has been a very challenging year for Defence, not least for the families who support our uniformed personnel as they deploy worldwide in support of the
UK’s interests. I therefore welcome the opportunity to provide a foreword to Envoy magazine, conscious that my message will be read by many RAF family members around the world.
As this year has unfolded, we have seen the impact of the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review begin to bite, with the closure of several RAF bases confirmed and the first phases of compulsory redundancy announced across all three Services.
As the Secretary of State for Defence, it pains me to see the loss of many high calibre uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces and the loss of some historic RAF bases and aircraft types but, as part of this Administration’s determination to tackle the enormous economic challenges confronting this country, I remain committed to delivering a smaller, leaner, more affordable Armed Forces for the future.
I am aware that some of the tough decisions taken to bring our budget into balance have had a direct impact on serving personnel and their families, not least the Review of Allowances and the need to pause the SFA upgrade programme for three years. This is a regrettable but necessary part of the overall programme of Government savings measures and, in our defence, I will say that we have worked hard to preserve operational effectiveness at the front line, initiated a radical restructuring of the MoD to ensure better cost-effectiveness, and committed to further investing in our Reserve forces.
We have also, for the first time, published an Armed Forces Covenant which describes the many ways in which we seek to recognise the unique nature of military life and to address disadvantage experienced by members of the Armed Forces community as a result of their chosen occupation. We have
also made good progress in our support to those injured in service and owe a debt of gratitude to the military charities that have helped us deliver an enhanced Rehabilitation and Recovery programme to those in
uniform and their families.
I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the families of all RAF personnel for their outstanding contribution to the Service. We all know that, without your unstinting support behind the scenes, this Nation’s Armed Forces would be nowhere near the quality of fighting force they are. I also pay tribute to the work of the Service Families Federations who ensure that the voice of the families they represent is heard at the highest levels.
Your Federation is held in the highest regard as a credible witness on behalf of the families it represents and I for one value the independent nature of the evidence they bring to the table, seeking always to influence change for the better. We politicians need to be kept informed as to the true nature of military life and its impact on those who serve and the families who support them. By working together, I hope you can share with me a vision of a Royal Air Force that is fit for the future whilst holding on to the best of its proud past.
My thoughts are with those who are serving away at this time. And to all, wherever you may be, I wish you a very Happy Christmas.
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy Winter 2011
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