their current engagement. Hundreds, if not thousands, of high calibre RAF personnel would like to sign on for further service or serve on a Permanent Commission, but opportunities have been significantly reduced in order to help achieve the manning levels demanded by the Strategic Defence & Security Review.


And all this at a time when RAF personnel are deployed to some of the most dangerous places in the world. The operational tempo has seen no let up since the Strategic Defence & Security Review and the requirement to operate across the skies of Libya for a large part of 2011 added further pressure to an already stretched force.


The RAF is justifiably proud of the contribution it made to successful operations in Libya and we know the families of those involved share that pride in their achievement. Nevertheless, whilst RAF casualties are mercifully few in comparison with our sister Services, every day on operations presents a real risk to life and limb and the stress this places on the families left behind is immeasurable; this stress continues for those with loved ones still contributing to operations in Afghanistan.


In sum, the backdrop against which we present our Annual Report this year is one of real challenge for RAF families. The RAF Families


Federation will do its best to support all family members who need and deserve an independent voice to represent them at such difficult times. The wider national economic picture is gloomy and the restructuring of the RAF and associated force reductions are adding yet more pressure to those who serve and those who support them.


Morale is described as ‘fragile’ by some – for many, morale has been shattered this year by the unwelcome news of base closures or personal redundancy. There is a real need to look after those required to transition to civilian life and an equal need to look after the ‘SDSR Survivors’, those personnel and their families who will stay in the Service beyond 2015 to help build Future Force 2020, ensuring Per Ardua Ad Astra for generations to come.


The Federation, too, has had its own share of misery and is required to reduce its operating budget by 20% in 2012/14. For much of 2011, staff lived with the strong possibility of staff redundancies or reductions in hours/salaries. Thankfully careful budgeting and a little help from our parent charity means we have steered ourselves clear of staff cuts, but the budget for 2012/14 will be extremely tight and may limit our ability to be as responsive and agile as we have to date in our support to RAF families.


8 www.raf-ff.org.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20