Question Author
buildersmate
I am indeed ex-RAF, and I think I am more qualified than you on this subject.
You state that most guarding these days (out of combat zones) is done by the MOD Guard Service, a civilian organisation.
Well have you ever been to a RAF or Army depot? You will notice that there are armed service personnel on the gates, even those out of combat zones.
It may be many years since I was in the RAF, but I don't think the primary roll of the RAF Regiment or (Rock Apes as they where called) has changed.
Their main roll is to guard the airfield, the planes, equipment and staff. Below is a excerpt from a footnote of a photograph, which showed members of No1 Squadron at Kandahar Airfield..
/// Members of No 1 Squadron RAF Regiment who have been defending Kandahar Airfield, its aircraft and the thousands of Coalition Forces personnel operating there.///