I recently graduated from the RAF programme of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, which has been run for over twenty years and enables politicians to spend time with one of the service branches of the military over the course of a year.
Its goal is to enable MPs to be better informed about the issues affecting our armed forces. Through this experience I am far better placed to discuss policy that impacts on the armed forces, including in Lincolnshire, which will make me a more effective representative of our area in Westminster.
Lincolnshire is the proud home of so much of our air force and its heritage. In this centenary year of the RAF, I have had the privilege of visiting local RAF bases at Cranwell, Digby, Scampton, Waddington, Coningsby, Syerston and Wyton. I learned about how we are training the UK’s next generation of fighter pilots, and how the incredible support teams of engineers and technicians on the ground keep them ready to go at a moment’s notice. I learned about the importance of good, reliable intelligence and gained a better understanding of a whole variety of specialist aircraft.
Following the announcement of the closure of RAF Scampton the Red Arrows will need a new home, and the professionalism and capabilities I have seen on show in bases across our county clearly illustrate their home should stay here. I will continue to lobby for the Red Arrows to remain in Lincolnshire.
Through the scheme I also visited RAF bases across the UK. I saw the new state of the art infrastructure for F-35s at RAF Marham, met with members of the RAF regiment at RAF Honington and discussed the importance of the special relationship with US service personnel based at RAF Lakenheath. At RAF Benson I learned about the capabilities of our fleet of Puma support helicopters, and in Wales at RAF Valley I saw how fast jet training takes place. I also met with service leads at RAF Shrivenham to discuss the strategic vision for protecting our land, sea, air, cyber and space, and visited our bases in the Falklands and Cyprus.
The diverse range of threats we face today means that it has never been more important for politicians to understand the issues and challenges our forces face. In taking part in this scheme I’ve gained a clearer understanding of how the armed forces operate and an even greater appreciation for our brave men and women in uniform.
