I've read many reports over the years that certain high ranking military/MOD persons regard the RAF as 'unnecessary' as a separate entity from Army and Navy and proposing it's merger with these two forces. Personally I think the roles of all three services have become 'diluted' by 'overlapping' of their specific duties, but I regard the present system as the best there is; I would also add that I think the Royal Marines ought to have more autonomy as do the USMC; whatever happened to Royal Marines helicopter flights?