Almost back on thread...
1. I too remember Mick Smith as a Fg Off. He's done very well and I wish him good fortune.
2. Despite the RAF Regt's banter over the years, they really are part of the RAF's overall capability. I think the case for elements to be present on the ground (alongside all the others needed to turn around aircraft and process/load the entitled pax) is both sound and enduring. Indeed, I expect there will be some Regt personnel there, just not as highly visible and newsworthy as RM.
3. The UK is usually quite slow off the mark compared with others. My predecessor in squadron command related at our HO/TO that after being alerted and preparing he and the squadron had been awaiting the order to go into 'x' for so long that the window of opportunity had closed. Germany, Italy and France had all been in and out the previous day.
News reports indicate that some of our entitled personnel have now been brought out by RAF.