Originally Posted by
cynicalint
LB, Here is link to the Govt pamphlet for the RAF. I'm sure the other 2 services have such documents. Please take into consideration that these are Politico Languages and over-complicate simple matters. but it should give you a good idea. Person for person The RAF is better than any other (Management speak!), it's just that we are too small, too hollowed out and fins it difficult to be in two places at once. The UK forces are not less than par, but too small to be an army, just a small defence force hence Tier 2, but a very good one at that!
https://assets.publishing.service.go...r_jdp_0_30.pdf
The four roles of air power.
• Control of the air secures our freedom of action within the air environment.
Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance informs the development of understanding across all environments.
• Attack can coerce and influence actors into changing or maintaining behaviour.
• Air mobility enables movement, manoeuvre and sustainment.
FROM THE RAF WEBSITE
https://www.raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/ov...issance%20(ISR).
Defending the skies of Britain and projecting Britain's power and influence around the world.
The UK and our allies face threats in an uncertain world, from unauthorised aircraft entering protected airspace, to cyber attacks.
RESPOND TO THREATS
Our Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Force based at RAF Lossiemouth (north east Scotland), RAF Coningsby (eastern England), and the Falkland Islands (south Atlantic), are ready to scramble state of the art Eurofighter Typhoons in minutes to intercept threats.
PREVENT CONFLICT
We identify and manage threats before they materialise through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). We can rapidly deploy aircraft and personnel around the world to deter conflict and defeat our adversaries if necessary.
We are currently active across four continents with significant operations in Eastern Europe, South Atlantic, and the Mediterranean. Our proximity to unstable regions and potential adversaries provides the air power to curb threats and destabilising behaviour.
WATCH THE SKIES
We use a combination of state-of-art static radar, mobile units, aircraft, and satellites to gather minute-to-minute information on air activity.
Our Air Surveillance and Control Systems Force continuously compile a Recognised Air Picture of the airspace in and around the UK, providing vital early warning of potential threats such as unauthorised aircraft or missiles.
We also monitor threats in space: from space weather and debris that can damage orbiting satellites, to hostile acts from our adversaries.
DELIVER AID
We have the aircraft, the know-how, and the reach to get humanitarian aid, equipment, and people into affected areas quickly.
We support government agencies and emergency services on UK operations.
WORK IN PARTNERSHIP
Air power is most effective in a joint action with other military services such as the British Army and Royal Navy, and with government departments, all working towards a common national goal. We call this a full spectrum approach.
We continuously train and deploy with the armed forces of our NATO allies and global partners in places like Estonia, Romania, and in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Maintaining good relations with our international partners means we can operate from their bases to expand our global reach.
As a world-class air force we also advise and train other air forces to build their capacity to respond to threats and prevent conflict.
Yeah but none of that really answers the question you replied to.
That’s a whole bunch of what they do.
It just doesn’t answer the spirit of the question which is really why do we need them to do all of that.
What’s the point?
I think we’ve lived in such comfortable times for so long that many of us are losing track of how nasty the world can be. Politicians pointedly included.