Nigel Farage has slated the RAF as "woke" after it canned a squadron nickname over a complaint it was "offensive to Muslims".
The RAF's 14 Squadron had first gained the nickname "Crusaders" in the First World War, when it flew sorties over Gaza and Palestine - but after a complaint, air crews have been told to remove all references to the name over its historical connotations.
Both the Squadron's nickname and parts of its insignia bore reference to the Crusades - medieval wars by European armies, the most storied of which involved Christians travelling to the Holy Land to reconquer Jerusalem from Islamic rule.
Their duty in the Middle East earned them their motto, "I spread my wings and keep my promise" - an extract from the Quran suggested by the Emir of Transjordan at the time.
RAF woke surrender! pic.twitter.com/0szFiUzSTM
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 29, 2024
But despite its storied history in combat, the change was forced on the group after just one complaint by an RAF crew member, the Daily Mail revealed.
Reacting to the news, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "So 14 Squadron - the RAF - involved in two World Wars, and busy today with intelligence and reconnaissance.
"Their nickname is 'The Crusaders', but a senior boss in the RAF has decided that name now has to be dropped because it might cause offence to Muslims.
"I wonder whether in Saudi Arabia, they're bending to our culture, and our way of life?
MORE WOKE MADNESS:
The Squadron's insignia references the Crusades and the Quran
MoD/Public domain
"I wonder even more deeply why we are literally 'giving in' on virtually everything. Tell me I'm wrong!"
An aviator had told the Mail: "If they'd have asked members of the squadron, rather than dictating this change, almost everyone would have been in favour of retaining 'Crusaders', because it is so much part of our history.
"There was never any prejudice or malice in the name. Every squadron, every regiment has a past.
"But if that past doesn't suit current thinking it will be erased."
Farage slated the RAF over their decision
MoD
An RAF spokesman said: "As a modern and diverse service, our focus must be on not giving prominence to any offensive term that goes against the values of the Royal Air Force.
"Therefore, 14 Squadron have ceased using their historic unofficial nickname.
"The traditions and informal nicknames used by the RAF in the earlier days have a place in our history.
"However, some are no longer appropriate in the 21st Century."
