I think I share your thoughts there OOT. Always been a big fan of the Reds, but given what we've lost and will continue to lose, to continue to pretend all is well in the RAF is pure folly.
Defence no longer matters. Once we're out of Afghanistan, more cuts will come, and we will barely be left with a self defence force. I bet that won't stop the politicians from trying to flex their muscles, but "can do" will become "can't do," and I hope to god that the masters in charge of the forces will have the guts to say no, or else we'll find ourselves very much and likely bloodily on the losing side.