User:OliverHOmar/RAF100

RAF100 (100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force)
RAF100 refers to the national campaign to mark the centenary year of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 2018. The RAF was formed on the 1st April 1918 at the end of the World War I becoming the the World's first independent air force. In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £2,432,000 of LIBOR funds to support "events, celebrations and education events marking 100 years of the Royal Air Force".

1st April - Founder's Day service
On the 1st April 2018, RAF100 began with a series of events in London. During a reception for former and serving members of the RAF at the Royal Courts of Justice, the RAF's youngest airman Aircraftsman Adam Wood was chosen to read out Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's message which paid tribute to the "professionalism, excellence and innovation" of the Service.

Following the reception, Wood joined the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Air Commodore (Retd) Charles Clarke OBE for the launch of the RAF100 Baton Relay (see below). Clarke was imprisoned in the same camp portrayed in The Great Escape (film) from which 76 prisoners escaped from and also took part in the infamous The March (1945) of British PoWs. He said: "“I never expected this anniversary to take place in my lifetime, but I am full of admiration for the current generation coming through – they are such a wonderful crowd.”"

23rd May - Downing Street reception
The Prime Minister Theresa May hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street for RAF personnel, veterans and recruits. The Secretary of State Gavin Williamson attended with aviators from the Royal Navy and British Army to recognise the role of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service which merged in 1918 during the formation of the RAF. As part of the event, a facsimile Red Arrows Hawk T.1 was placed on Downing Street. During the event, the Prime Minister gave a speech and said:"'From the Battle of Britain to Bomber Command, from the Falklands to the Gulf War, from humanitarian relief operations to those who fly today’s missions against Daesh in Syria and Iraq – we owe the men and women of our RAF an immense debt of gratitude, as we do all our servicemen and women'"

10 July - Centenary parade and flypast
On 10 July 2018, following a service at Westminster Abbey attended by members of the Royal Family, a parade consisting of 1300 RAF personnel. The parade, which was broadcast live on BBC One, took place down the Mall and to forecourt of Buckingham Palace and was commanded by Group Captain Anne-Marie Houghton.

Days prior to the event, the RAF announced that "up to 100 aircraft" would perform a flypast on an epic scale over Central London including the new F35b Lightning combat jet. On the day, 103 aircraft took part in the flypast – including three F35b Lightning jets – it was the largest display of military aircraft seen over the capital in recent memory.

Reaction
According to the Metropolitan Police Service, an estimated 65,000 to 70,000 people gathered on The Mall to watch the parade and flypast, with roads in central London being closed until 17:00 BST. #RAF100 was the number one trend nationally on Twitter for most of the day and received widespread national news coverage.

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