Should the RAF be disbanded?

[Superman]

Rumours still persist of talks about the RAF being disbanded. I know that the British goverment wants to make cuts but is this a cut too far?

It may happen. It may not. What do you all think?

The Royal Air Force was formed in 1918 when the Army's Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated. Prior to this, I think it made sense for the Army and the Navy to have their own Air Fleets.

But amalgamating the two into the RAF made perfect sense and I see no reason to disband. Some people have suggested that the RAF be disbanded and replaced by a Naval Fleet Air Arm and an Army Air Force. Some people feel this could be done to prevent the cuts that have been talked about within Britain's armed forces.

We NEED the RAF and I find it shocking to be honest that public figures would even suggest disbanding it. And let's not forget that the RAF is more than just planes blowing things up. They perform vital rescue work and have been at the scene of many major rescue operations. They also undertake a lot of humanitarian tasks.

If cuts need to be made, then I have an idea. How about "cutting down" on the amount of politicians, quangos and bureaucratic public sector jobs that cost billions in taxes. Make the cuts there instead of in the Armed Forces, filled with thousands of brave men and women.

[CJ Cregg]

If they get rid of the RAF they would be MAD!! Who would get rid of the air force. Not very good if u need to shoot somthing down or are faced with invasion, which we have done many a time.

[Kyre]

If it wasn't for my poor eyesight, I'd be training to be a pilot in the RAF right now. It's all I ever wanted to do sicne I was about eight years old. Would be gutted if they disbanded it.

[Superman]

Well, I'm glad that I come back a few hours later and that there are no "yes" votes.

I think we need an Air Force more than ever, with the way the world is. You never know where the next threat is coming from or who we may have to defend against next. People used to say that when the Cold War ended, we should cut down on intelligence organisations and cut down on the armed forces. Yet, it truly is a never-ending battle. World War 2 ended but threats to peace didn't. And the end of the Cold War didn't mean the end of threats to peace.

One minister here said that consideration would be given to cutting down on personnel within the Armed Forces and investing more in technology. He implied that the world is different and technology is the way forward. Yes, it is. But you still NEED people to operate the technology, you still NEED people to lead and command people who operate the technology. You still NEED people who can make decisions on how to utilize the technology.

Maybe in the future, we could even have a jet that doesn't need a pilot to fight a war. But even if that happens, I bet it wouldn't be half as good as a flesh-and-bones pilot. Machines have their function but real, living, breathing people are what is needed to fight a war and perform peacekeeping/humanitarian tasks.

And, as I touched upon earlier, combat is only one of many roles that the Armed Forces undertaker. Humanitarian tasks, peacekeeping, building infrastructure in war-torn countries - they are all roles that the RAF and other forces undertake.

[borgslayer]

Why would they disband the RAF? They know well its a very bad move knowing that fact that if they do disband it, the chance of lets say an air attack on the UK would become almost impossible to stop.

[Defiant]

Its 10-0 for not disbanding the RAF. Awesome.

[Hitchhiker]

::bumps it to 11-0::

Not only is it still a line of defense, as mentioned, but it's a cultural symbol now, part of your heritage.

[Jeremy]

I voted against it. I love flying, and am considering joining the RAF at some time in the future. I'm not certain about it though. They have already cut back a lot on the RAF's funding. The Rapier (a SAM system) has already been cut, and it's widely considered the best SAM in the world. Also it's a bit pointless paying all the money on the Eurofighters and then not using them.

[Superman]

12-0.

I'm still reeling from such proposals, although disbanding the RAF has been talked about before. I shall oppose it in any way I can if they go ahead with it and I know a lot of other people would too.

Jeremy, what trade were you looking to enter?

[Tomtekuk]

I think Yes and No.

[Superman]

Could you elaborate on that, please?

[CJ Cregg]

The world can change overnight u never know what could happen. thats why we need a military still. we will ALWAYS need one ever if then entire world was at peace

[Superman]

[Jeremy]

[Superman]

Well, let us know how you get on, Jeremy.