The Royal Air Force Regiment commemorated its 75th Anniversary with a special service held in St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
The event was attended by more than 600 Royal Air Force personnel and local dignitaries, including Lady Clare, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, and the Air Commodore-in-Chief of the RAF Regiment Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, in Bury St Edmunds, is the custodian of the RAF Regiment memorial and standards and is a mark of the Regiment's close association with the county of Suffolk - with RAF Honington as the RAF's main centre of force protection.
The Very Reverend Dr Frances Ward blessed a commemorative candle which will remain in the cathedral for the rest of this anniversary year.
It will be lit at Choral Evensong each day as an enduring symbol of the RAF Regiment 75th Anniversary.
Sir Stephen Dalton said: 'The Royal Air Force is extremely proud of what the RAF Regiment has done over the past 75 years. They have succeeded in the job they have been given and continue to set standards and more importantly teamwork that make them capable of delivering their role.'
The RAF Regiment is the ground fighting force of the RAF. It protects air bases from attack and are trained and equipped to fulfil a wide range of infantry type roles.
It is a unit that is widely recognised as being the world leader in air-minded force protection and many other nations seek the RAF Regiment's guidance.
The RAF Regiment candle holder, Leading Aircraftman Louis Gell added: 'I've just finished my training and been posted to No II Sqn RAF Regiment [based at RAF Honington], a real honour. But today, to be the bearer of the RAF Regiment 75th candle has been amazing. To meet and speak to experienced members of the corps at such a ceremony has been a real privilege; this is where my future is.'
The Royal Air Force Regiment will continue to commemorate the achievements, sacrifice and on-going efforts of the RAF Regiment past and present in fighting on the ground to protect and enable air power.
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