Royal Air Force

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

Structure of the RAF

The head of the RAF is known as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), currently Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup. The CAS heads the Air Force Board, which is a committee of the Defence Council. The Air Force Board (AFB) is the management board of the RAF and consists of the Commanders-in-Chief of the Commands, together with several other high ranking Officers.

Related Topics:
Chief of the Air Staff - Air Chief Marshal - Air Force Board - Defence Council

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Commands

Operational command is delegated from the AFB to formations known as Commands. While there were once individual Commands responsible for bombers, fighters, training, etc, only two Commands exist currently:

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• Strike Command — HQ at RAF High Wycombe — responsible for all of the operations of the RAF.
• Personnel & Training Command — HQ at RAF Innsworth — responsible for recruitment, initial and trade training, including flying training.
• JFACHQ Joint Force Air Component Headquarters is the Deployable Air HQ for the RAF.

Groups

Groups are the subdivisions of operational Commands, responsible for certain types of operation or for operations in limited geographical areas. Since 2000, three Groups have existed within Strike Command:

Related Topics:
Groups - 2000

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• 1 Group — the Air Combat Group, responsible for all offensive and defensive fast jet forces, including Joint Force Harrier
• 2 Group — the Air Combat Support Group. This manages all transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft and Air Combat Service Support units such as the deployable Tactical Support Wing and Tactical Communications Wing. It also commands the Force Protection assets of the RAF Regiment.
• 3 Group — the Battle Management Group, commanding all ISTAR assests such as the reconnaissance aircraft, Nimrod R1, etc, and also the Maritime and Search and Rescue assets. 3 Group also coordinates with the Joint Helicopter Command at HQ Land, which controls the support helicopter fleet.

See also List of Royal Air Force groups.

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Wings

A Wing is a sub-division of a Group, and a grouping of two or more squadrons, either flying squadrons or ground support squadrons. In former times, numbered flying Wings have existed, but today they are created only as needed, for example during Op. Telic, Tornado Wings were formed to operate from Ali al Salem and Al Udeid airbases; each of these were made up of aircraft and crews from several squadrons.

Related Topics:
Wing - Op. Telic - Tornado

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In addition, RAF Stations are administratively sub-divided into Wings. For a flying station these will normally be Engineering Wing, Operations Wing and Administration Wing. Aside from these, the only Wings currently in permanent existence are the Air Combat Service Support wings of 2 Group which provide support services such as communications, supply and policing to operationally deployed units.

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See also List of Royal Air Force wings.

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Squadrons

The term squadron (sqn) can be used to refer to an administrative sub-unit of a station, e.g. Air Traffic Control sqn, Personnel Management sqn; there are also ground support squadrons, e.g. 2 (MT) Sqn.

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However, the primary use for the term is as the name of the flying squadrons which carry 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 currently based, which aircraft they are operating, etc. They can be awarded standards and battle honours for meritorious service.

Related Topics:
Standards - Battle honours

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Whilst every squadron is different, most are commanded by a Wing Commander and, for a fast-jet squadron, have an establishment of around 100 personnel and 12 aircraft.

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See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

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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.

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

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See also List of Royal Air Force independent flights

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