RAF Regiment

Carl Dowd

Carl Dowd

Longterm Registered User
Well Rocks...

Haven't we done well?

From early beginnings as No 1 Armoured Car Company formed at Heliopolis on the 19th December 1921 to one of the youngest Regiments in the British Forces (1942), and for those that do not know our history the RAF Regiment is actually a Corps.

By the way I am an avid first edition Mountaineering and Military book collector and have in my collection 'A Short History of the Royal Air Force Regiment' original print 1969.

If any Rocks have a need to reference something historical then please PM or email me.

All the best,
 
As an ageing 'rock ape' , left '84 it is always good to hear about the raf regt. i was one of those who went down south all those years ago with 63sqn, are you on the raf regt site? cheers fellow rock!
 
4 sure Roadhog...I know mate, all good fun and banter that some on here may not recognise...and I did have a pop at the Royals a little while ago so I am expecting a huge amount of flak back...Abuse on a postcard please at PO Box 999.

Des I will PM you!
 
Gunners looking for future employment…

Gunners:

As a former member of the RAF I thought I’d give the Rock’s first crack at this info… I have been in discussion with DynCorp International HR Dept directly face to face, they are currently going through a ReOrg within it’s upper echelons with the new CEO taking over, which means don’t expect any quick replies. One of the of the subject I brought up with the head shed and recruiters in their HR dept. was the lack of international positions for non US citizens, such as UK, Canadian and SA, the response I received was the US State Dept contracts require US citizenship all others unless stated are open, and even though some contracts state US citizenship contract conditions change and advises anyone to still apply and note in their application, “I am aware of the US citizenship requirements for this position, but I would like to be considered for the position if these requirements change.â€

They have advised me to let my fellow colleagues know and tell them, that (DynCorp) will be looking for experienced instructors, advisors and mentors for future security contracts with military and police of foreign countries and to note your instructor Quals and any languages you speak. Ensure that you have completed their on line resume/CV, which I know is a pain, but their recruitment system works from that data base. Once that is complete apply for the positions that you are suited for on line, and follow up with their International recruiter Bob Lelouet (A Brit!), with your details and the application job ID numbers. If you any questions PM me.

Stay Safe

H61 Out!
 
Reunion at the Angel 30th August

i have been informed that their is to be about 100 guys turning up for the August reunion at the Angel (you should all know where that is).

Nice to see the Rock's in the industry and on the forum.

johnp
 
HALO61 said:
Gunners:

As a former member of the RAF I thought I’d give the Rock’s first crack at this info… I have been in discussion with DynCorp International HR Dept directly face to face, they are currently going through a ReOrg within it’s upper echelons with the new CEO taking over, which means don’t expect any quick replies. One of the of the subject I brought up with the head shed and recruiters in their HR dept. was the lack of international positions for non US citizens, such as UK, Canadian and SA, the response I received was the US State Dept contracts require US citizenship all others unless stated are open, and even though some contracts state US citizenship contract conditions change and advises anyone to still apply and note in their application, “I am aware of the US citizenship requirements for this position, but I would like to be considered for the position if these requirements change.â€

They have advised me to let my fellow colleagues know and tell them, that (DynCorp) will be looking for experienced instructors, advisors and mentors for future security contracts with military and police of foreign countries and to note your instructor Quals and any languages you speak. Ensure that you have completed their on line resume/CV, which I know is a pain, but their recruitment system works from that data base. Once that is complete apply for the positions that you are suited for on line, and follow up with their International recruiter Bob Lelouet (A Brit!), with your details and the application job ID numbers. If you any questions PM me.

Stay Safe

H61 Out!
Click to expand...

I must say that you are on the ball with that one. Some of my friends have been given instructors roles with Dyncorp, or should I say "Dying Corp"?. Anyway, none of them are ex RAF and all are very happy. Especially the ones in Baggers;)

Ta Ta

Shakes
 
thanks for this post, unfortunately can't make it but would like to be informed of all other events, reunions,
 
johnp said:
i have been informed that their is to be about 100 guys turning up for the August reunion at the Angel (you should all know where that is).

Nice to see the Rock's in the industry and on the forum.

johnp
Click to expand...
Hello JohnP,

Nice to see a few other Rocks on the site. I'm always away when the Angel gatherings are on and I even missed 2's do a while back!
I finally met another Rock in the IZ the other day, the first in 5 years...

Witty
 
Hi lads.
Just a few short lines('cos I type like old people......well you know the rest.
Another old rock in the industry,nice to know I'm not alone. Ex just about every Sqn,and quite sensibly decided to do Pre-Para at 35. New to the industry only started last year,after doin' pennance in factories for 6 yrs. Now avoiding real work where pos.
stay tight
taff b.
 
Gibbo Mark B here, how are you ?, I do hope this is the Gibbo I did pre para with , when there was only two of us left.
Do message me as it would be fabulous to catch up with you.
 
Just for a bit of clarity on the term 'Rock Ape', and its genesis.

There is a widespread misunderstanding, outside the regiment, that "Rockape" as a term of fond endearment to those within, and a respectful term of deference to those outwith, has its roots in a Winston Churchill speech about the defence of Gibralter.

This is sadly not so. The tale is told that................

The Royal Air Force Regiment was widely deployed to the Arabian peninsula during the mid 20th century and performed with great credit and valor in both Oman and what is now the Yemen. It is here that the truth of the 'Rockape' story lies.

A small group of Regiment officers were tasked to deploy to the mountainous regions of Northern Yemen in search of suitable, and defensible, locations for aircraft operations ahead of a major operation by ground forces.

The recce was completed quickly leaving the officers, (who in those days were Sandhurst trained and modelled on 'Guards officers') with a few spare days in that remote and arduous land.

To pass the time the group decided on a spot of hunting. Arabian oryx and apes were the principal game to be had in the mountains and the apes provided excellent sport as they were agile, intelligent and perfectly at home operating amongst the rocks. For which reason these animals were widely referred to as 'Rock' apes.

From a tactical / operational point of view the proposed hunt was justified as providing excelent shooting practice and helping to develop an awareness of operating in the hot, arid and rugged terrain against an agile and well concelaed enemy.

Having identified a likely spot to find a colony of the 'rock' apes our intrepid young leaders went left and right flanking up a steep sided dry gully.

It was not long before a young Regiment officer saw movement amongst the rocks on the other side of the gully. He stopped, dropped and watched.

A few seconds he saw it again, definite movement as a partially concealed figure leapt over a rock.

The .303 was cocked in readiness. The marksman waited.... breathing controlled.

Again movement.................BANG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The target was down, one round was all it took.

The proud young officer had surprised himself, 'What a shot'? Wow !!!

But surprise turned to abject amazement as events rapidly unfolded. Our heroes were stunned to find that the apes of Northern Yemen not only had a wonderful grasp of public school English, but also that they could also swear like troopers.

The cursing and swearing was profound and the promises of violence bellowed by the shot 'ape' were certainly not fit for civilised company.

The shot officer survived and continued to serve in the regiment. But of course the marksman concerned faced an enquiry. And yes, by now you have arrived at the point of the story.

When asked to give his account of why he had fired on a brother officer his explanation was "Well...... I'm terribly sorry sir........But.... I thought he was a ROCK APE !!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Since which day the name has stuck, and been borne with pride by generations of Royal Air Force Regiment Officers and Gunners in conflicts ranging from Aden to Northern Ireland, malaya, Oman, and the Falklands to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Since formation in February 1942 there has been only one year, 1965, when members of the regiment have not been on active service somewhere in the world and at the time of writing (2010) ROCK APES are actively engaged on operations in a variety of infantry, force protection, forward observer and training roles in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

'PER ARDUA'
 
Excellent history thanks...never did understand why the Rockape came from...Now I can see why no runways have ever been stolen since then....standby!!!

Worked with a rockape on the Fayed sec team in early 90's good lad, heavy into his martial arts...always wondered where he went.
 
Since formation in February 1942 there has been only one year, 1965, when members of the regiment have not been on active service somewhere in the world and at the time of writing (2010) ROCK APES are actively engaged on operations in a variety of infantry, force protection, forward observer and training roles in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Operations 1965-66

Quote:
"This was an extremely busy time even for a force which was inured to the problems of making bricks without straw. Nos 37, 48 and 2 squadrons were all rotated through Aden where the security problems of the airfield at Khormaksar increased as the terrorist organisation grew in strength. By the end of 1965 it became necessary to extend the roulement to include the squadrons of No 3 Wing in Cyprus and Nos 27 and 34 Squadrons took their turn of duty in Aden.
The Rhodesin unilateral declaration if independence resulted in a call for the air defence of Zambia and No 51 Squadron left the UK at twelve hours notice in November 1965, to provide the airfield defence component of the RAF force in central Africa".... Unquote

CD
 
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