The RAF Linguists’ Association itself had no formal inauguration but started when, in 1997, two former linguists who attended the closure ceremony at RAF North Luffenham rekindled a 35-year friendship and invited former friends and colleagues to join them for an extended weekend in October, 1998. The success of this reunion prompted the publication of a simple single-page news sheet ambitiously entitled “RAFLING NEWS”. As the circulation of “RAFLING NEWS” increased, it became desirable to place what was little more than a group of friends onto a formal footing and the Association was born. Membership fees and an annual subscription were introduced and a management team headed by Jock Dempster, a senior member of the linguist trade, was established. Over the years, the RAFLING NEWS has become the focal point of the Association and, published quarterly, is read and well supported by members throughout Europe and as far afield as Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. The RAFLING NEWS can also be read worldwide on the internet through this site and also via www.gatow.org, a sister web-site sponsored by the Rafling Association. Articles recalling experiences of members during their RAF days and stories by those who have something of note to write about make interesting reading and, judging by the number of compliments and good wishes received, Association Members eagerly await their next issue of the Newsletter.

Since its inauguration, the Association has held successful reunions in Berlin and Leicester and similar events in other locations are being planned. On each occasion, excursions to places of local interest were organised and a formal dinner held with Members and Guests receiving commemorative mementoes. On the two occasions that the reunions were held in Berlin the Association received substantial support from the Mayor of Spandau, many German companies and especially the German Air Force which is now stationed at the General-Steinhoff-Kaserne, formerly Royal Air Force Gatow, and with whom we maintain a close relationship.
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Although still young, the Association is recognised by the Royal Air Force as an official organisation and we have made contact with other similar groups representing those who have once served or have an interest in the Royal Air Force. The Association is justly proud to have sponsored the conversion of Hastings TG503 which is a main attraction at the Allied Museum in Berlin. This historic aircraft flew in the Berlin Airlift and was, for many years, displayed at the entrance to RAF Gatow where many linguists once served. This inevitably led to the Association forming a strong link with the Allied Museum and this, in turn, led to friendship with the British Berlin Airlift Association.

An ongoing activity being conducted by the Association is to arrange for commemorative plaques to be placed at sites where the Joint Services Language School was located. In September, 2003, the first of these plaques was unveiled at the Tangmere County Primary School which stands adjacent to the site occupied by the JSLS from 1959 until 1965. Plans are also in hand to place plaques at other JSSL/JSLS locations in the UK, the next in line being Bodmin, Cornwall, scheduled for 2004.

The aim of such activities is to ensure that the fifty-plus year history of the Royal Air Force Linguists does not evaporate into a haze warped by memory. At the same time, the RAFLING ASSOCIATION does not dwell on the past but looks forward to the future, to new ventures, to increasing membership, to expanding its influence and to promoting comradeship between those who served – and continue to serve – as RAF Linguists.