When was the RAF at its most capable?
My time in the RAF spanned 10 years from 1979 which co-incided with the last 10 years of the "cold war"....
Even so, this period was one of cuts and a continuous reduction in the numbers of service personnel and bases. My speculation is that 1974/5 was probably when the RAF was at its peak and ever since we have been growing weaker in spite of what the government says.
Whilst technology has improved, and smart weapons, UAV's, missiles with multiple warheads, NVG's etc. have improved the "hitting" power the sheer reduction in personell and not having sufficient platforms means that we can no longer project, let alone sustain, the capabilities we once had.
The saddest part in all of this is the fact that the reduction in our military capability has not been matched by a similar reduction in the threats that we face in what is subjectively a more unstable world.
Is this just a rose-tinted view, or were things so much better in the 1970's compared to today? It would be interesting to know what RUSI and Staff College experts have to say.....we would be hard pressed to cope with a flare-up of the NI Troubles and a resurgence of terrorism at "the back door" let alone deal with another FI Conflict....
MB