On 1 April 1918, David Lloyd George approved the creation of the Royal Air Force, the world's first entirely separate and independent air force. The RAF would become the most powerful air force in the world, with more than 290,000 personnel and 23,000 aircrafts. Then, at a crucial point in world history, the RAF defended our island against the Nazi onslaught, in what became the most famous air battle in history, the Battle of Britain. But we in Wales are no strangers to the RAF's history and success. The famous bouncing bomb of the dambusters was tested in the Elan valley. Factory workers at Broughton built the Lancaster plane, which still flies today with the Royal Air Force in the Battle of Britain memorial flight. And the idea behind the RAF red arrows was formed in Wales, with the creation of the RAF yellowjacks at RAF Valley, in 1963.

Llywydd, to mark this momentous year in the RAF's history, there will be special events, activities, and other initiatives at local, regional and national levels, which will be running from this month until the end of November. One of the most notable events will be the centenary baton relay, which will see a specially designed baton visit 100 sites associated with the RAF, in 100 days. The baton will be visiting several locations in Wales, from 1 May to 11 May, starting in St Athan, and ending in RAF Valley.

We have so much to be thankful for, as the RAF has valiantly defended our freedom. If I could finish with the words of David Lloyd George, who said, 

'The heavens are their battlefield. They are the Cavalry of the Clouds.'