According to the latest advert, broadcast on national radio, ‘the only line of defence for aircraft on the ground is the RAF Regiment gunner’.
This has come as something of a surprise to me and, no doubt, the thousands of RAF Police dog handlers who have spent the last 60-plus years patrolling airfields throughout the world.
What doesn’t come as a surprise is the realisation that our hard work and even our existence is now being denied.
The RAF Police have suffered one cut-back after another and have had our workload dramatically increased.
We have continued with our role without fanfare and self-promotion and, as a rule, have not complained. However, there comes a time when something has to be said.
I would suggest the people responsible for these adverts re-think their reearch procedures before spending time and our money making spurious claims to recruit youngsters to stand in watch towers for a living.
They should consider limiting their advertisements to those which correctly identify them as airfield defence.
Well, as Rock Ape, I can see why this letter drew such a heated response. Cpl "Dog Handler" made some reasonable points until his 2nd to last paragraph where he instantly destroyed any support he might have had by degrading another trade by referring to the RAF Regiment as
"stand in watch towers for a living".
Maybe his dog should have proof read his letter?
(Blast, now I've just lowered myself to his level!!!!)