Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force (often abbreviated to RAF) is the air force branch of the UK Armed Forces.

RAF Personnel

As of 2004, the RAF employed 48,500 active duty personnel;and more than 12,000 reservists this will be reduced to 41,000(active duty personnel) by 2008 http://www.mod.uk/linked_files/issues/security/cm6269/cm6269.pdf. At its height during the Second World War, in excess of 1,000,000 personnel were serving at any one time. A small proportion of these RAF personnel have risen to prominence either by their actions whilst serving, or subsequently; these are detailed at List of famous Royal Air Force members. The various ranks of personnel within the RAF are listed in descending order below.

Related Topics:
2008 - List of famous Royal Air Force members

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See Comparative military ranks to compare RAF ranks with those of other services.

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Officers

The names and insignia of RAF Officers were based on those in use by the Royal Navy, specifically the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the RAF rank of Flying Officer was derived from the RNAS rank of Flight Sub-Lieutenant. Similarly, that of Flight Lieutenant was based on the RNAS rank of the same name. The rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. However, these ranks do not in anyway imply the actual position held by an officer; a Flying Officer may or may not be qualified to fly and a Squadron Leader does not necessarily command a squadron. The insignia for equivalent ranks are the same apart from the colour (light blue stripe on a black background rather than gold) and the absence of the Navy's loop.

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - Royal Naval Air Service

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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 30-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell.

Related Topics:
Commission - Sovereign - RAF College, Cranwell

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• Marshal of the Royal Air Force (this rank is only applicable in war)
• Air Chief Marshal (usually the rank held by the current Chief of the Air Staff)
• Air Marshal
• Air Vice Marshal
• Air Commodore
• Group Captain (usually the rank held by the officer commanding a major RAF station)
• Wing Commander
• Squadron Leader
• Flight Lieutenant
• Flying Officer
• Pilot Officer

Other Ranks

The rank structure for Other Ranks 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. 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.

Related Topics:
Army - RAF Halton - RAF Regiment - RAF Honington

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• Warrant Officer or Master Aircrew
• Flight Sergeant
• Chief Technician
• Sergeant
• Corporal
• Junior Technician
• Senior Aircraftman
• Leading Aircraftman
• Aircraftman

Branches and Trades

• All Pilots and Weapon Systems Officers (formerly known as Navigators) in the RAF are commissioned officers.
• Non-commissioned aircrew fulfil roles such as Air Loadmasters (ALM), Air Signallers, Air Electronics Operators (AEO), etc, although they are now all known as Weapon Systems Operators.

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

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• Officers and Gunners in the RAF Regiment, which was created during World War II, defend RAF airfields from attack. They operate surface-to-air missiles to defend against air attack, and 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 other British Police, the RAF Police are armed as needed. They have no power of arrest outside military units.
• 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 assessmnet 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, MT vehicles, etc.
• Fighter Controllers and Air Traffic Controllers control RAF and NATO aircraft from the ground. The FC control the interception of enemy aircraft while the ATC control the routine airfield flying operations.