Thank you [for that kind introduction].
When I was in Iraq last month it reminded me what a profound effect the RAF is making in that theatre. The RAF has been operating above Iraqi skies continuously for over 17 years. I can only imagine the number of operations that have been successfully completed thanks to the thousands of RAF sorties.
And in Afghanistan the RAF is delivering massive benefits to the ongoing campaign across Helmand, Kandahar and elsewhere. RAF Chinooks remain the work horses of operation Herrick – without which the movement of personnel, supplies and equipment would be considerably less versatile. And what a fantastic job the Harriers are doing out there on close air support. The angels on the shoulders of our troops.
I hope all of you here are as proud as I am of the dedication of the RAF in both those theatres.
It’s great to be here in Blackpool – and especially to have this opportunity to address you all.
I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to the Mayor on Blackpool’s successful bid to host the National Veterans Day next month. I’m looking forward to it already and I’m delighted this great city will be the centre for that week of celebrations.
It is a privilege to be speaking to the Royal Air Forces Association for the first time - a group with roots that stretch back as far as 1919 and the very start of the RAF.
Obviously the remit of this Association rightly covers both Service members and veterans. But as Veterans Minister I hope you don’t mind if my remarks focus on that area in particular.
The aims of this Association mirror very closely my own aims as Veterans Minister. You strive to promote comradeship and welfare. I strive to support veterans through transition, recognition and support.
And that’s why I see the relationship between the RAF Association and the MOD as a strategic partnership. And I can’t think of a stronger partner when it comes to serving the particular needs of RAF veterans.
You are a powerful group with impressive credentials: the largest single Service membership organisation in the UK with;
75 thousand members,
over 450 branches,
around 110 clubs and – most impressive of all
600 welfare volunteers who last year made a staggering 23,000 home visits.
That sort of face to face contact and relationships – turning up to people’s homes and spending time with them – is I think the heart of your Association and I have the utmost respect for those of you who are visiting veterans on such a regular basis.
I have no doubt the number of your beneficiaries – spanning back over the last 89 years - must be very many indeed. I hope you are proud of that achievement.
Many of you here this morning are the unsung heroes of that achievement. So I want to take this opportunity to say well done and thank you for your hard work, dedication and concern. You are making an important difference to the lives of so many – and I want to ensure the MOD supports you and works along side you in that work.
You and I know that the vast majority of veterans do not need or ask for any kind of assistance. But there is a small percentage who do legitimately require support.
My vision is to see every RAF veteran know what help and advice they can receive and be able get their hands on it quickly and easily.
That means making sure the right support is available and it means ensuring veterans know it’s out there.
To meet those aims – the MOD, and every Service charity must continue to work together. Working side by side to help members of the RAF. It is a noble ambition and one I think we are making progress on.
Part of the reason we are progressing is because of the focus and investment there has been in recent years into supporting veterans and those currently serving.
Only last week we announced an increase of £24 million for the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court. Money that will consolidate that facility as the best place for our injured personnel to be treated.
We are also investing in mental health care and the leading mental health charity for the Forces. We are investing in veterans’ badges, community health pilots, and research into how we can help veterans more.
And of course we are investing in support to those still serving.
I’m sure you already know about the new operational bonuses,
the new protection vehicles like Mastiff,
the improved body armour,
the extra helicopters,
new aircraft like the Future Strategic Air Tanker,
the better compensation,
the advances of in-theatre medical care,
and new weapons such as the grenade machine guns and sniper rifles.
Those are just some of the ways we are striving to improve how we look after our people.
But clearly, supporting serving members, their families and Veterans is a wide ranging job – and supporting them properly and thoroughly requires a number of Government Departments.
I recognise that – which is why we are undertaking a Service Command Paper specifically on supporting our people. It is looking across the board on what we currently do – where the gaps are - and what more we can do.
As a member of COBSEO – the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations - this Association is making an important contribution to that Paper and I’m very grateful for that.
We are also looking at how the nation, as well as the government, can get better at celebrating and rewarding members of the Armed Forces.
A National Recognition Study has been conducted to look into this. It will be launched early next week and will set out - on a strategic level – how we can do more to celebrate those currently serving and those who are veterans.
It’s a Study that I will be looking at very closely and I hope taking a number of their recommendations forward.
As I said – getting the right support in place is only half the job. We also need to improve awareness of support.
I hope all the volunteers here already know about the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency and their mobile information units, the Veterans UK website, the UK Helpline and the information packs the Agency can send out.
As the Agency gets around 1,500 calls every day I expect most of you are already utilising that resource. And I’m grateful to all of you who are already helping to spread awareness amongst veterans of those facilities.
All of us here this morning know that our RAF veterans are remarkable and impressive individuals- with skills, experiences and knowledge that set them apart as distinguished members of the community.
And I think as a nation we are being reminded of these things as we hear of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the extraordinary things that our personnel are doing.
So it is absolutely right that veterans are held in high esteem. My desire is to build on that growing recognition with the national Veterans Day. A chance for the whole nation to celebrate and remember our 5 million British veterans.
I’m delighted that this year the week long national event will be right here in Blackpool. From what I’ve seen of the planning - it is going to be a fantastic week. On the 27th June there will be numerous events taking place in villages, towns and cities across the UK.
For some, that day will have very special significance.
The RAF has suffered losses in both Iraq and Afghanistan over the years. Men have paid the ultimate price in service to their country. This nation will never forget their sacrifice. And we remember too the families. In the background they are the ones providing the most important support.
They are the ones who bare the heaviest burden and at times suffer the greatest loss. The strength of character I have seen in Service families is of the highest order - and it is right we remember them and pay them our special respect.
Despite the danger, the men and women of the RAF continue to put their mission first.
So I want to finish by paying tribute to work the RAF is currently undertaking around the world – but particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan.
On my visits to those theatres I have always been struck by the professionalism and determination of the Airmen and women – working in very challenging environments and facing danger on a daily basis. Their courage is a credit to the RAF and their skills continue to deliver massive benefits to both of those operations.
In closing, my main message to you all today is one of thanks – for your hard work and partnership. Together, we will give veterans the service they deserve.
Thank you.