What goes around comes around. The RAF was formed before the end of WW1 in order that it be "an Independent Airforce", that is free to exploit airpower in the form of strategic bombing (with aircraft such as the HP 0/400). However, peace nearly put paid to it and it was only by undercutting the cost of Iraq ops as proposed by the Army that Trenchard kept his shrivelled baby alive. It was WW2 and the renewed use of strategic bombing, which this time extended post war in the guise of the V Force, that ensured its continued independence. Now that much strategic airpower has passed to the Royal Navy in the form of Trident and Tomahawk we are almost back to square one. With present incumbents weaned on a diet of "Fighter Command good, Bomber Command bad", the RAF's raison d'etre seems to be in doubt within its own ranks let alone those without. "Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it"!