[56], The Chief of the Air Staff is supported by several other senior commanders; the main positions are shown in the following table. It was founded on 1 April 1918, during the First World War, by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. Some schools operate with only one Squadron, and have an overall training throughput which is relatively small; some, like 3 FTS, have responsibility for all Elementary Flying Training (EFT) in the RAF, and all RAF aircrew will pass through its squadrons when they start their flying careers. [155], Based at RAF Waddington, No. 120 Squadron and No. [86], A flight is a sub-division of a squadron. Two Saudi Royal Air Force fighter jets escorted the US B-52H Stratofortress bombers across the Kingdom’s airspace on Thursday, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on … Marcus is a Senior Engineer Officer who has led the Red Arrows engineering technicians and flown with Red 1 to China. Since its formation, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history. 906 Expeditionary Air Wing (Middle East) – Air transport support. 99 Squadron operate eight Boeing C-17 Globemaster IIIs in the heavy strategic airlift role from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire. They get the best of both worlds by balancing their own careers and home life, with the challenge and adventure of the RAF. [150] The draw-down of the Hercules C5 fleet began in 2016, with two left in service by December 2020. [193] In February 2012 the purchase of an eighth C-17 was confirmed;[194] the aircraft arrived at RAF Brize Norton in May 2012. [97] French and German Air Force pilots achieved only 180 and 150 flying hours across their fleets respectively. Two additional BAe 146s were purchased in March 2012 from TNT Airways and were refitted by Hawker Beechcraft on behalf of BAE Systems for tactical freight and personnel transport use. [135] As of May 2020, the first E-7 is expected to enter RAF service in 2023 with the final aircraft arriving in late 2025 or early 2026. [142] In July 2017, ZJ693 was withdrawn from service while the rest of the Sentinel fleet was given an OSD of 2021. With the decline of the British Empire, global operations were scaled back, and RAF Far East Air Force was disbanded on 31 October 1971. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from occupied Europe, also served with RAF squadrons. [241][242][243] In July 2020, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract for three Protector UAVs with an option on an additional thirteen aircraft. [100], Other ranks attend the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton for basic training. Although there are no permanently stationed aircraft, RAF aircraft (e.g. [178], Three Bell Griffin HAR.2s of No. The first man to lead the RAF was Hugh Trenchard. 207 Squadron on 1 August 2019 as the Operational Conversion Unit for both RAF and Royal Navy pilots. [69] Although command and oversight of the bases is provided by Strategic Command, the airfield elements are known as RAF stations. The British military operate a number of joint training organisations with Air Command leading the provision of technical training through the Defence College of Technical Training[85] – Several different specialist areas: aeronautical engineering, electro and mechanical engineering, and communication and information systems. © 2020 Royal Air Force. [150] The first F-35 aircraft arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on 29 June 2016 after a transatlantic crossing involving air-to-air refuelling. Administrative squadrons on a station are also divided into flights and these flights are commanded by a junior officer, often a flight lieutenant. [49], RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray both provide Quick Reaction Alert, or QRA, and scramble their fighter jets within minutes to meet or intercept aircraft which give cause for concern. Initially the RAFVR was composed of civilians recruited from the neighbourhoods of Reserve Flying Schools, which were run by civilian contractors who largely employed as instructors members of the Reserve of Air Force Officers (… [165] Since being first delivered in 1980,[166] the Chinook has been involved in numerous operations: the Falklands War (1982); Operation Granby (1991); Operation Engadine (1999); Operation Barras (2000); Operation Herrick (2002–2014); Operation Telic (2003–2011); Operation Ruman (2017); and Operation Newcombe (2018–present). 296.4k Followers, 248 Following, 1,363 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Royal Air Force (@royalairforceuk) [239] In 2016 it was indicated that at least 16 UAVs would be purchased with a maximum of up to 26. While RAF bombing of Germany began almost immediately upon the outbreak of war, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Harris, these attacks became increasingly devastating from 1942 onward as new technology and greater numbers of superior aircraft became available. [127] The second UK based F-35 squadron to be formed was No. [36] Since 1990 the RAF has been involved in several large-scale operations, including: the 1991 Gulf War,[37] the 1999 Kosovo War,[38] the 2001 War in Afghanistan,[39] the 2003 invasion and war in Iraq[40] and the 2011 intervention in Libya. [203] The A400M is also expected to replace the C4/C5 variants. Because of their small size, there are several flying units formed as flights rather than squadrons. 1957 The Army Air Corps is created. [150], Ten General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper Unmanned aerial vehicles have been purchased to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. [123] No. [22][23], For much of the Cold War the primary role of the RAF was the defence of Western Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union, with many squadrons based in West Germany. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air force and is the oldest independent air force in the world. [256] Although there have been debates among airmen over the years whether the bird was originally meant to be an albatross or an eagle, the consensus is that it was always an eagle. In 1966, the team was increased to nine members, enabling them to develop their Diamond Nine formation. [27] The Suez Crisis in 1956 saw a large RAF role, with aircraft operating from RAF Akrotiri and RAF Nicosia on Cyprus and RAF Luqa and RAF Hal Far on Malta as part of Operation Musketeer. The Royal Air Force celebrates its 100th anniversary on 1st April 2018. The Royal Flying Corps was the air arm of the British Army during the First World War. The U.S. Air Force was part of the Army during World War II, and was also called the Army Air Forces or the Air Corps. IV (AC) Squadron and No. 56 Squadron act as the OCU and OEU for the ISTAR fleet respectively. 28 Squadron (Support Helicopter OCU) at RAF Benson. [257], The Badge of the Royal Air Force was first used in August 1918. 1435 Flight where they provide air defence. 29 Squadron (OCU) and No. In coming years, the service will have to decide what kind of air force it wants to be—and acquire the aircraft to match that purpose. [213], No. It oversees stations at RAF Coningsby and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and RAF Marham in Norfolk. 120 Squadron stood up on 1 April 2018, with No. What we do We work with our UK and international partners to … 1 Air Mobility Wing (RAF Brize Norton), No. [165][167][168][169] The 60-strong fleet of Chinooks currently has an OSD in the 2040s. There are six groups subordinate to Air Command, of which five are functional and one is geographically focused: No. XIII Squadron at RAF Waddington. The RAF and Royal Navy's Westland Sea King fleets, after over 30 years of service, were retired. [253], Following the tradition of the other British fighting services, the RAF has adopted symbols to represent it, use as rallying devices for members and promote esprit de corps. On April 1, 1918, the Royal Air Force (RAF) is formed with the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). V (AC) Squadron from RAF Waddington. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), along with helicopters from the British Army and Royal Navy. Flying training takes places at RAF Barkston Heath, RAF College Cranwell, RAF Shawbury and RAF Valley, each forming part of the UK Military Flying Training System which is dedicated to training aircrew for all three UK armed services. [231], The BAe Hawk T2 is flown by No. Flying squadrons are often divided into two flights, e.g., "A" and "B", each under the command of a squadron leader. Specialist ground crew training is focused at RAF Cosford, RAF St Mawgan and MOD St. Athan. June 26 – The Berlin Airlift begins, with U.S. Air Force, Royal Air Force, and British civil transport aircraft carrying supplies into West Berlin. Get up to 20% off. [17], The largest RAF effort during the war was the strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Bomber Command. [63], No. Due to an airworthiness issue in April 2014, the Viking fleet and the Grob Vigilant T1 aircraft were grounded for a two-year period, although Viking operations have subsequently resumed. This aircraft was chosen because it was less expensive to operate than front-line fighters. [255], The Latin motto of the RAF, "Per ardua ad astra", is usually translated as "Through Adversity to the Stars",[256] but the RAF's official translation is "Through Struggle to the Stars". Jo deployed to Afghanistan on Op Toral in 2016/17 and is currently training as an Air Loadmaster. However, the War Office argued that the RAF should have its own ranks and the Admiralty opposed any use of their rank titles.. Badges of rank. [137] Originally ordered in 1999,[138] the Sentinel entered into RAF service in 2008. The commission of a regular officer is granted after successfully completing the 24-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire. [249], The UK's military flying training has been civilianised through a public-private partnership, which puts training output in the hands of a civilian contractor, known as Ascent Flight Training, a consortium of Lockheed Martin and Babcock International. 31 Squadron would become the first squadron to operate the Protector RG1. [4] Since its formation, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history. 8 Squadron,[130] provides airborne early warning to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Tunic features; The jacket has, 2 x chest pockets, 2 x lower pockets. [24] Despite this, the RAF fought in many battles in the Cold War period. [31], One of the largest actions undertaken by the RAF during the cold war was the air campaign during the 1982 Falklands War, in which the RAF operated alongside the Fleet Air Arm. Air Command was formed on 1 April 2007 by combining RAF Strike Command and RAF Personnel and Training Command, resulting in a single command covering the whole RAF, led by the Chief of the Air Staff. The first four of 14 production aircraft were ordered in November 2014. The Royal Air Force’s (RAF) numbers of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft has been increased by three. 39 Squadron based at Creech Air Force Base and No. British aircraft in the early stages of the First World War carried the Union Flag as an identifying feature; however, this was easily confused with Germany's Iron Cross motif. Lower pockets the UK and taken part in combat operations across the Air (. Left in service until 2035 controls the royal air corps Battalion of the UK and the Royal Force... ] based at RAF Mount Pleasant in the RAF was Henry Allingham, who on! Six further aircraft were originally royal air corps in February 2018 to replace the C4/C5 variants 222 first... 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