Royal Air Force

Published on Thursday, November 30th 2006. Edited by Off Bogmetdie, Peoria, United States.

Royal Air Force

Founded 1 April 1918

Country United Kingdom

Size 42,000 personnel 1000+ aircraft

Part of British Armed Forces

Command HQ RAF High Wycombe

Motto Per Ardua ad Astra latin:“Through struggles to the Stars”

March Royal Air Force March Past

Commanders

Notable commanders Lord Trenchard Lord Portal

Insignia

Roundels

Fin flash

Aircraft flown

Attack Tornado GR.4, Harrier

Fighter Tornado F3,Typhoon

Interceptor Typhoon

Patrol Nimrod MR.2

Reconnaissance Nimrod R.1, Sentinel R1, Islander

Trainer Tutor, Tucano, Hawk, Vigilant, Viking, Squirrel, Dominie, King Air

Transport C-17, Hercules, VC-10, Tristar, Merlin, Chinook, Puma

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. The RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 and has since taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts. The RAF operates over 1000 aircraft and, as of 2007, has 42,000 regular personnel. The majority of the RAF’s aircraft and personnel are based in the United Kingdom with many others serving on operations (principally Iraq and Afghanistan) or at long-established overseas bases (notably the Falkland Islands and Cyprus).

Mission

The RAF’s mission is to support the objectives of the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), which are to “provide the capabilities needed: to ensure the security and defence of the United Kingdom and overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government’s foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security.”

History

Whilst the British were not the first to make use of heavier-than-air military aircraft, the RAF is the world’s oldest air force of any significant size to become independent of army or navy control. 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. After the war, the service was cut drastically and its inter-war years were relatively quiet, with the RAF taking responsibility for the control of Iraq and executing a number of minor actions in other parts of the British Empire.

The Royal Air Force Memorial on the Victoria Embankment, London, commemorating RAF personnel killed in the two world wars

The RAF underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of December 1939, the air forces of British Commonwealth countries trained and formed “Article XV squadrons” for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from occupied Europe also served with RAF squadrons.

In the Battle of Britain in the late summer of 1940, during the Second World War, the RAF defended the skies over Britain against the German Luftwaffe, helping foil Hitler’s plans for an invasion of the British Isles, and prompting Prime Minister Winston Churchill to say in the House of Commons on August 20, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.

The largest RAF effort during the war was the strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Bomber Command. While RAF bombing attacks against Germany began almost immediately upon the outbreak of war, from 1942 onwards, under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Harris, these attacks became increasingly devastating as new technology and greater numbers of superior aircraft became available. Controversially, the RAF adopted a policy of night-time area bombing that saw raids on German cities such as Hamburg and Dresden. Other units, however, developed precision bombing techniques for specific operations, such as the “Dambusters” raid by No. 617 Squadron

During the Cold War years the main role of the RAF was the defence of the continent of Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union, including holding the UK’s nuclear deterrent for a number of years. Since the end of the Cold War, several large scale operations have been undertaken by the RAF, including the Kosovo War, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Structure of the RAF

Royal Air Force

Components

• Air Force Board

• Air Command

• 1 Group

• 2 Group
• 22 Group

The professional head of the RAF is the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy. The CAS heads the Air Force Board, which is a committee of the Defence Council. The Air Force Board is the management board of the RAF and consists of the Commander-in-Chief of Air Command, together with several other high ranking officers. The CAS also has a deputy known as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS); this post is held by Air Vice-Marshal T M Anderson.

Commands

Royal Air Force

Components

Royal Air Force

• Royal Auxiliary Air Force
• RAF Regiment
• RAF Volunteer Reserve
• RAF Police

History

History of the Royal Air Force

Timeline of the Royal Air Force

Aircraft

List of RAF aircraft

Structure

Air Command

No. 1 Group

No. 2 Group

JFACHQ

No. 22 Group

List of stations

Personnel

Officer ranks

Other ranks

Authority is delegated from the Air Force Board to the RAF’s commands. While there were once individual commands responsible for bombers, fighters, training, etc, only one command now exists:

• Air Command — Headquarters at RAF High Wycombe — responsible for the operation of all of the RAF.

Groups

Groups are the subdivisions of operational commands, these are responsible for certain types of operation or for operations in limited geographical areas. As from 1 April 2007, three groups exist:

• 1 Group — the Air Combat Group, controls the RAF’s combat fast jet aircraft, including Joint Force Harrier, and has seven airfields in the UK in addition to RAF Unit Goose Bay in Canada, which is used extensively as an operational training base.
• 2 Group — the Air Combat Support Group, controls the strategic and tactical air transport aircraft, the RAF Regiment, the RAF’s air to air refuelling aircraft as well as ISTAR and search and rescue assets.
• 22 Group – responsible for personnel management, training and selection.

Stations

An RAF station is ordinarily subordinate to a group and it is administratively sub-divided into wings. Since the mid to late 1930s RAF stations have controlled a number of flying squadrons or other units at one location by means of a station headquarters.

Wings

A wing is either a sub-division of a group acting independently or an administrative sub-division of an RAF station.

Independent Wings are a grouping of two or more squadrons, either flying squadrons or ground support squadrons. In former times, numbered flying wings have existed, but more recently they have only been created when required. For example during Operation Telic, Tornado wings were formed to operate from Ali Al Salem and Al Udeid air bases; each of these were made up of aircraft and crews from several squadrons.

On 31 March 2006, the RAF formed nine Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs) in order to support operations. They have been established at the nine main operating bases; RAF Coningsby, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Kinloss, RAF Leeming, RAF Leuchars, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Lyneham, RAF Marham and RAF Waddington. These units will be commanded by a group captain who is also the parent unit’s Station Commander. The EAW is comprised of the non-formed unit elements of the station that are required to support a deployed operating base, i.e. the command and control, logistics and administration functions amongst others. They are designed to be flexible and quickly adaptable for differing operations. They are independent of flying squadrons, Air Combat Support Units (ACSU) and Air Combat Service Support Units (ACSSU) who are attached to the EAW depending on the task it has been assigned.

A wing is also an administrative sub-division of an RAF station. Historically, for a flying station these were normally Operations Wing, Engineering Wing and Administration Wing and each wing was commanded by an officer of wing commander rank.

Squadrons

A flying squadrons is an aircraft unit which carries out the primary tasks of the RAF. RAF squadrons are somewhat analogous to the regiments of the British Army in that they have histories and traditions going back to their formation, regardless of where they are based, which aircraft they are operating, etc. They can be awarded standards and battle honours for meritorious service. Whilst every squadron is different, most flying squadrons are commanded by a Wing Commander and, for a fast-jet squadron, have an establishment of around 100 personnel and 12 aircraft, but 16 aircraft for Tornado F3 Squadrons.

The term squadron can be used to refer to a sub-unit of an administrative wing or small RAF station, e.g. Air Traffic Control Squadron, Personnel Management Squadron etc. There are also Ground Support Squadrons, e.g. 2 (Mechanical Transport) Squadron. Administrative squadrons are normally commanded by a squadron leader.

Flights

A flight is a sub-division of a squadron. Flying squadrons are often divided into two flights, under the command of a squadron leader; administrative squadrons on a station are also divided into flights and these flights are commanded by a junior officer, often a flight lieutenant.

There are several flying units formed as flights rather than squadrons, due to their small size.

RAF Personnel

In 2007 the RAF employed 40,300 active duty personnel and more than 3,400 regular reservists, including the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, RAF Volunteer Reserve and Sponsored Reserve. At its height during the Second World War, in excess of 1,000,000 personnel were serving at any one time. The only founding member of the RAF still living is Henry Allingham at age 111.

Officers

Officers hold a commission from the Sovereign, which provides the legal authority for them to issue orders to subordinates. The commission is granted after successfully completing the 32-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

The titles and insignia of RAF officers were chiefly derived from those used by the Royal Navy, specifically the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. RAF officers fall into three categories: air officers, senior officers and junior officers.

Other Ranks

Other Ranks attend the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton for basic training, with the exception of the RAF Regiment, which trains its recruits at RAF Honington.

The titles and insignia of other ranks in the RAF was based on that of the Army, with some alterations in terminology. Over the years, this structure has seen significant changes, for example there was once a separate system for those in technical trades and the ranks of Chief Technician and Junior Technician continue to be held only by personnel in technical trades. RAF other ranks fall into four categories: Warrant Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, Junior Non-Commissioned Officers and Airmen.

Branches and Trades

• All pilots and weapon systems officers (formerly known as navigators) in the RAF are commissioned officers on the General Duties List.
• Non-commissioned aircrew fulfil the specialist roles of air engineer (E), air electronics operator (AEOp), air loadmaster (ALM) and air signaller (S). Though they are now known collectively as weapon systems operators, individual trade specialisations remain.

The majority of the members of the RAF serve in support roles on the ground.

• Officers and Gunners in the RAF Regiment defend RAF airfields from attack. They have infantry and light armoured units to protect against ground attack.
• The RAF Police are the military police of the RAF and are located wherever the RAF is located. Unlike the UK Civil Police, the RAF Police are armed as needed.
• Intelligence Officers and Analysts of the RAF Intelligence Branch support all operational activities by providing timely and accurate indicators and warnings. They conduct military intelligence fusion and analysis by conducting imagery and communications analysis, targeting, and assessment of the enemies' capabilities and intent.
• Engineering Officers and technicians are employed to maintain and repair the equipment used by the RAF. This includes routine preparation for flight and maintenance on aircraft, as well as deeper level repair work on aircraft systems, IT systems, ground based radar, vehicles, ground support equipment, etc.
• Fighter Controllers (FC) and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) control RAF and NATO aircraft from the ground. The FC control the interception of enemy aircraft while the ATC provide air traffic services at RAF stations and to the majority of en-route military aircraft in UK airspace.
• Administrative officers and associated trades are involved with training management, physical education, catering, infrastructure management, accounts, dress and discipline, personnel and recruitment.
• Royal Air Force chaplains are trained by the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre at Amport House.
• The Royal Air Force Medical Branch provides healthcare at home and on deployed operations, including aeromedical evacuation services. Medical officers are the doctors of the RAF and have specialist expertise in aviation medicine to support aircrew and their protective equipment. Medical officers can go on aeromedical evacuations, providing vital assistance on search-and-rescue missions or emergency relief flights worldwide.
• The RAF Legal Branch provides legal advice on discipline / criminal law and operations law.

Aircraft

The code which follows each aircraft’s name describes the role of the variant. For example, the Tornado F3 is designated as a fighter by the ‘F’, and is the third variant of the type to be produced.

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft

Tornado GR4

The mainstay of the offensive support fleet is the Tornado GR4. This supersonic aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs and the ALARM anti-radar missile.

The Tornado is supplemented by the Harrier GR7/GR7A which is used in the strike and close air support roles, and to counter enemy air defences. The Harrier is being upgraded to GR9/GR9A standard with newer systems and more powerful engines. The Harrier GR9 was formally accepted into RAF service in late September 2006.

Air defence and airborne early warning aircraft

Typhoon T1

The Tornado F3 and Eurofighter Typhoon F2 are the RAF’s air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars, RAF Leeming and RAF Coningsby respectively. Their task is to defend the UK’s airspace. In October 2007 it was announced that RAF Boscombe Down will become a quick reaction alert airbase from early 2008, offering around the clock fighter coverage for the South and South West of UK airspace.

The Tornado, in service in the air defence role since the late 1980s, is being replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon F2, based at RAF Coningsby. The RAF’s second operational Typhoon unit, 11 Sqn, reformed on 29 March 2007, joining 3 Sqn, also based at RAF Coningsby.

The Sentry AEW1 provides airborne early warning to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Both the Sentry and the Tornado F3 have been involved in recent operations including over Iraq and the Balkans.

Reconnaissance aircraft

Raytheon Sentinel R1

The Tornado GR4A is fitted with a range of cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum.

The Nimrod R1 provides electronic and signals intelligence.

The new Sentinel R1 (also know as ASTOR – Airborne STand-Off Radar) provides a ground radar-surveillance platform based on the Bombardier Global Express long range business jet.

A pair of MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned aerial vehicles have been purchased to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are operated by No. 39 Squadron RAF. A third MQ-9 is in the process of being purchased.

Search and rescue aircraft

Westland Sea King HAR3A

Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of military search and rescue; the rescuing of aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR3A in the UK and 84 Sqn with the Griffin HAR2 in Cyprus.

Although established with a primary role of military search and rescue, most of their operational missions are spent in their secondary role of conducting civil search and rescue; that is, the rescue of civilians from at sea, on mountains and other locations.

Both rescue roles are shared with the Sea King helicopters of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, while the civil search and rescue role is also shared with the helicopters of HM Coastguard.

The Operational Conversion Unit is 203(Reserve) Squadron RAF based at RAF St. Mawgan, equipped with the Sea King HAR3.

The related Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service comprises four teams of trained mountaineers stationed in the mainland United Kingdom, first established in 1943.

Maritime patrol

BAE Nimrod MRA4

The Nimrod MR2’s primary role is that of Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare. The Nimrod MR2 is additionally used in a Search and Rescue role, where its long-range and extensive communications facilities allow it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It can also drop pods containing life rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea.

The Nimrod MR2 will be replaced from 2009 by 12 Nimrod MRA4 aircraft.

Support helicopters

Boeing Chinook HC2

An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the British Army by ferrying troops and equipment at the battlefield. However, RAF helicopters are also used in a variety of other roles, including support of RAF ground units and heavy-lift support for the Royal Marines. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), along with helicopters of the British Army and Royal Navy.

The large twin-rotor Chinook HC2/HC2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy-lift support and is supported by the Merlin HC3 and the smaller Puma HC1 medium-lift helicopters, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove.

It was announced in March 2007 that the RAF will take delivery of six additional Merlins. The aircraft were originally ordered by Denmark and six new aircraft will be built for Denmark. It was also announced that eight Chinook HC3s, that are in storage, will be modifed for the battlefield support role.

Transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft

Lockheed Tristar K1

Having replaced the former Queen’s Flight in 1995, 32 (The Royal) Squadron uses the BAe 125 CC3, Agusta A109 and BAe 146 CC2 in the VIP transport role, based at RAF Northolt, just west of London.

More routine, strategic airlift transport tasks are carried out by the Tristars and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton; both used to transport passengers and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling of other aircraft.

Shorter-range, tactical-airlift transport is provided by the C-130 Hercules, the fleet including both older K-model and new J-model aircraft. based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

The RAF has leased four C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Boeing to provide a heavy, strategic airlift capability; it was announced in 2004 that these will be purchased, together with a further aircraft. The fifth C-17 is due to be delivered in March 2008, with an in service date of June 2008. The MoD has expressed a wish to buy a further 3 C-17s, which could be delivered before mid-2009, when the C-17 production line may be closed. This would leave the RAF with a total of 8 C-17 aircraft, providing a significantly enhanced strategic airlift capability. On the 26 July 2007, the MoD announced that the RAF would be receiving a sixth C-17 to help bolster operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Training aircraft

BAE Hawk T1

A wide range of aircraft types are used for training aircrew in their duties. At the more advanced stage in training, variants of front-line aircraft have been adapted for operational conversion of trained pilots; these include the Harrier T10 and Typhoon T1. Advanced flying training for fast-jet, helicopter and multi-engine pilots is provided using the Hawk T1, Griffin HT1 and B200 King Air respectively.

Basic pilot training for fixed-wing and helicopter pilots is provided on the Tucano T1 and Squirrel HT1, while weapon systems officer and weapon systems operator training is conducted in the Dominie T1.

Elementary flying training is conducted on the Tutor T1, depending on the new pilot’s route of entry to the service. The Tutor is also used, along with the Viking T1 and Vigilant T1 gliders, to provide air experience training and basic pilot training for air cadets.

Future aircraft

The RAF is planning for the introduction of a wide range of new aircraft. These include:

• The Eurofighter Typhoon is entering service and when all the Typhoons are in service, the RAF will be the largest operator of the type.
• The Airbus A400M, of which 25 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C-130Ks.
• An enhanced version of the Chinook, the HC3, with improved avionics and increased range for special forces missions, was ordered in 1995. Due to technical and project management problems, these aircraft have not yet entered service, but are now due to be downgraded to Support Helicopter configuration and deployed by 2009.
• The Hawk 128 will replace the existing Hawks in service; the newer model being more similar in equipment and performance to modern front line aircraft.
• The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristars should be replaced with the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme.
• The Joint Combat Aircraft (the British designation for the F-35 Lightning II) will replace the Harrier GR7 and GR9.

RAF deployments

Country Dates Deployment Details

Indonesia 2005 Support and transport RAF dispatched to South East Asia following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake disaster to provide aid relief support

Lithuania 2004 Baltic Air Policing 4 Tornado F3 for a 3 months rotation under NATO monitoring mission

Afghanistan 2001– Operation Veritas Chinooks provided airlift support to coalition forces. Since late 2004 six Harriers have provided reconnaissance and close air support to the ISAF.

Bosnia 1995– Various helicopters RAF enforced no-fly zones over the Balkans in the late 1990s and participated in the NATO interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo. Today, RAF helicopters remain to provide support to the United Nations.

Middle East 1990– Various RAF fighters based in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait prior to and during the 1990 Gulf War, and later to enforce no-fly zones over Iraq. Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the occupation of southern Iraq by British Forces, the RAF is deployed at Basra. SH is provided in Iraq by Merlin, Puma and Chinook

Falkland Islands 1984– RAF Mount Pleasant Built after the Falklands War to allow a fighter and transport facility on the islands, and to strengthen the defence capacity of the British Forces. A detachment of RAF Regiment provides anti-aircraft support.

Ascension Island 1981– Ascension Island Base Used as an air bridge between the UK and the Falkland Islands. United States Air Force also stationed at this base.

Norway 1960s– Bardufoss Air Station RAF fighter and/or helicopter squadrons undergo winter-training here most years.

Cyprus Malta 1956 RAF Akrotiri RAF Nicosia RAF Luqa RAF Hal Far Operation Musketeer also known as the Suez crisis.

Kenya 1953-1955 RAF Eastleigh Anti-Mau Mau operations by Avro Lincoln squadrons

Malaya 1948-1960 RAF Tengah RAF Butterworth Operation Firedog

West Germany 1948-1949 Various Originally Operation Knicker and Carter-Paterson became Operation Plainfare (supporting the Berlin Airlift)

Canada 1940s– RAF Unit Goose Bay, Canada RAF aircraft train in low-level tactical flying at CFB Goose Bay, a NATO air force base of the Canadian Air Force.

Gibraltar 1940s– RAF Gibraltar No permanently stationed aircraft. RAF aircraft, e.g. Hercules transports, make regular visits.

Symbols, flags, emblems and uniform

Royal Air Force Ensign

Following the tradition of the other British fighting services, the RAF has adopted symbols to represent it and act as a rallying point for its members.

The RAF Ensign is flown from the flagstaff on every RAF station during daylight hours. The design was approved by King George V in 1921, after much opposition from the Admiralty, who have the right to approve or veto any flag flown ashore or on board ship.

British aircraft in the early stages of the First World War carried the Union Flag as an identifying feature, however this was easy to confuse with Germany’s Iron Cross motif. Therefore in October 1914 the French system of three concentric rings was adopted, with the colours reversed to a red disc surrounded by a white ring and an outer blue ring. The relative sizes of the rings have changed over the years and during World War II an outer yellow ring was added. Aircraft serving in the Far East during World War II had the red disc removed to prevent confusion with Japanese aircraft. Since the 1970s, camouflaged aircraft carry low-visibility roundels, either red and blue on dark camouflage, or washed-out pink and light blue on light colours. Most uncamouflaged training and transport aircraft retain the traditional red-white-blue roundel.

Badge of the Royal Air Force

The Latin motto of the RAF, “Per Ardua ad Astra”, is usually translated as “Through Adversity to the Stars”. The choice of motto is attributed to a junior officer by the name of J S Yule, in response to a request from a Commander of the RFC, Colonel Sykes, for suggestions.

The Badge of the Royal Air Force is in heraldic terms: “In front of a circle inscribed with the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra and ensigned by the Imperial Crown an eagle volant and affronty Head lowered and to the sinister.” It was approved in 1923 based on a design by a tailor at Gieves Ltd of Savile Row, although the original had an albatross rather than the eagle.

Since 2006 the RAF has adopted a new official logotype, shown at the top of this article. The logotype is used on all correspondence and publicity material, and aims to provide the service with a single, universally-recognisable brand identity.

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