My right honourable friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Bob Ainsworth), has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I should like to inform the House that I have decided to establish permanently an additional RAF Regiment Field Squadron, (15 Squadron RAF Regiment) and a RAF Force Protection Wing Headquarters (No 7 RAF Force Protection Wing Headquarters).

15 Field Squadron RAF Regiment and No 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters will increase the RAF Regiment's capability, will reduce the time that their personnel spend on operational tours, and it is anticipated, have a positive effect on recruitment and retention.

15 Squadron RAF Regiment has been formed by combining and re-roling the two remaining RAF Rapier Squadrons (15 and 26 Squadrons) which were otherwise due to disband on 31 March 2008. The new Squadron was formed as a temporary measure for deployment on Op HERRICK from August 2007 to February 2008. Following this decision it will now be permanently established at RAF Honnington.

No 7 Force Protection Wing Headquarters will be manned by personnel who have been reallocated from across the RAF to meet current operational priorities and will be based at RAF Coningsby.