Royal Air Force Mountaineering Association (United Kingdom)
The oldest of the three British Service mountaineering bodies, the Royal Air Force Mountaineering Association (RAFMA) was formed in January 1948 by Group Captain A J M Smyth, Wing Commander Beaumann, and Air Vice Marshal Ledger. The first President was Air Chief Marshal Sir Ralph Cochrane, who retired in 1952 and one of the first Vice-Presidents was the late F S Smythe. Since its inception the Association has organised numerous meets and expeditions in a variety of locations, including Switzerland, France, Norway, Turkey, Ellesmere Island, New Zealand, Bolivia, Greenland, Canada and the Himalayas (India & Nepal).
The primary object of the Association is to promote the efficiency of the RAF by providing the opportunity to indulge in the sport of mountaineering, thereby encouraging physical fitness and the development of initiative and independence among its members. The subsidiary objects of the Association area to encourage mountaineering in the RAF and to arrange expeditions and meets at home and abroad in which members of the Association may participate.
RAFMA holds events throughout the year, there are monthly weekend meets around the UK, a Joint Services Alpine Meet (JSAM), a rock week and a week-long New Year Meet, as well as a sport climbing trip and expeditions.
Expeditions
- 2006 - Satopanth, Garhwal, India.
- 2007 - Mount Logan, Yukon Territories, Canada.
- 2008 - Mount Kenya (cancelled due to political unrest).
- 2008 - Joint Services Makalu Expedition.
- 2008 - Lofoten Islands, Norway.
- 2009 - Mount Kenya (Batian, 5199m) and Point Lenana.
- 2012 - British Services Antarctic Expedition[1] (British Army Lead)