THE Royal Air Force is putting the finishing touches to one of its biggest ever recruiting campaigns.

It will take place during the Royal International Air Tattoo and will highlight every trade and profession that is available in today's modern RAF.

Group Captain Mel Kidd is the man in charge of staging what is called RAF Today 2002, a display dedicated solely to the RAF and all its capabilities.

The display will utilise a large area in the centre of the airfield at RAF Fairford when the tattoo takes place on July 20 and July 21.

The Ministry of Defence decided last year to use RIAT as a recruit-ing platform because it is the world's largest military air show which attracts 200,000 people and receives world wide publicity.

This year the tattoo is back at Fairford after a two year break while major modernisation work took place on the runway.

"Last year the RAF Today dis-play was very successful but we did learn lessons and this time it will be even bigger and more user-friendly," said Group Captain Kidd, who served 35 years in the RAF.

"There will be 170 serving RAF personnel on hand to answer any questions, offer advice and generally do what ever is needed to help people find out about what life is like in today's RAF.

"Last year there was a positive response to joining the RAF and I hope we can build on that this year. We can offer at least 40 trades ranging from fighter pilots to working in the cookhouse with numerous other opportunities in between.

"Many of these careers require highly skilled technicians to handle our state-of-the-art technology and our whole emphasis is attracting top-quality people.

"We are looking to recruit in all sections of the Service including ATC cadets, and the University Air Squadrons."

The RAF Today display will include 50 RAF aircraft and is basically set out in three sections.

One of them will concentrate on recruiting and training and will include various equipment in use today as well as a Euro Fighter simulator and full scale models of the Tornado, Harrier and the Hawk trainer aircraft which visitors can look over.

Would-be recruits will also be able to see the numerous off-duty opportunities available to RAF personnel and receive advise on how they can go about taking part in them.

The third part of the display will show the type of operational duties carried out by the RAF and the aircraft and equipment used during it.

A big supporter of RAF Today is the Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Peter Squire, who will be on site again this year.

"The RAF operates as a team and everyone depends on each other to ensure the job is done well.

"The money and living con-ditions are good and as an equal opportunities employer we are particularly keen on attracting men and women up the age of 30," said Group Captain Kidd.

www.airtattoo.com