This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Outdated information. Please help update this to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2021)

This is the structure of the Royal Air Force, as of October 2020.

Air Command

Air Command was formed as a merger of Strike Command, and Personnel and Training Command to administer the majority of operational units within the RAF. It does not have an overall commander, but instead two deputy commanders– one for Operations and one for Capability. The Deputy Commander (Operations) has been Air Marshal Gerry Mayhew, since May 2019; and the Deputy Commander (Capability) has been Air Marshal Andrew Turner, also since May 2019.

No. 1 Group

No. 1 Group is one of two operations groups within Air Command, controlling the RAF's fast combat aircraft and the associated airfields. The AOC has been Air Vice Marshal Ian Duguid, since he took up the appointment in November 2021.[4]

Air and Space Warfare Centre

No. 2 Group

No. 2 Group is the other operations group within Air Command, providing aircraft that support the Royal Navy and RAF front line aircraft, the Royal Air Force Police, and the Royal Air Force Regiment. Its current air officer commanding is Air Vice-Marshal Suraya Marshall, and has been since October 2021. The group is headquartered at RAF High Wycombe.

Following the disbandment of No. 38 Group RAF on 31 December 2020, all units of the former group were moved under a new 1-star 'RAF Support Force', which now forms part of No. 2 Group.[45]

As of early 2023, No. 2 Group comprises the following stations and units.[46][47][48][49][50] Unless indicated otherwise, subordinate units are located at the same location as the unit they report to.

Stations

Air Mobility Force

Air Security Force

Battlespace Management Force

Combat and Readiness Force

RAF Medical Services

Support Force

No. 11 Group

No. 11 Group is the newest group formed in the RAF, having only been reformed in late 2018 as a "multi-domain operations group." Air Vice-Marshal Philip Robinson has been the AOC, since December 2021.

No. 22 Group

No. 22 Group is the direct successor to the Training Group, and so is responsible for RAF training policy and training establishments. It has been commanded by Air Vice Marshal Richard Maddison since August 2020.[54]

The group commands the following stations:

No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group

No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group is the collation of all of the RAF's assets that support operations in the Middle East, i.e., Op Kipion, and Op Shader. The Group has been commanded by Air Commodore Simon Strasdin since September 2020.

References

  1. ^ "RAF Headquarters Air Command". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. ^ "RAF High Wycombe". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  3. ^ "RAF Safety Centre". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Senior RAF Appointments". Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Group No's 1 – 9 - RAFweb". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  6. ^ "#SP232 RAF Coningsby". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  7. ^ "11 Squadron Uncle - SERVE". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. ^ "UK-Qatari Typhoons take off as joint squadron". Ministry of Defence. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  9. ^ "29 Squadron - Lightning Association". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Typhoon Display Team". Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  11. ^ "Lancaster bomber thunders over Nottingham". Nottingham Post. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Union claims RAF jobs could relocate from Anglesey to Yorkshire". Business Live. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  13. ^ "RAF heroes honoured on 80th anniversary of 'Black Thursday'". Sunderland Echo. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  14. ^ "JFACTSU". Royal Air Force Leeming. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  15. ^ "history of the no 1 fighter squadron association". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  16. ^ "RAF Lossiemouth – Facebook post, 9 October 2018". Facebook. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  17. ^ "RAF Lossiemouth aces scrambled to intercept Russian spy plane and submarine". The Press and Journal. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Galliford Try wins £20m RAF Lossiemouth contract". The Construction Index. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  19. ^ "Keeping Skill Sets Alive While Waiting for a Replacement Aircraft: From Nimrod to P-8". Second Line of Defense. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Royal Air Force 207 Squadron Returns to the U.K with 6 F-35B Lightning Jets (Some Of Those Sport New Tail Markings)". The Aviationist. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  21. ^ "UK's Carrier Strike Group Faces Its First Test". Aviation International News. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  22. ^ a b "New station commander takes charge at RAF Scampton". The Lincolnite. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  23. ^ a b c d "RAF Insight, Spring 2021 edition" (PDF). The Insight Online. Spring 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  24. ^ Laird, Robbin (1 August 2016). "Transforming the Royal Air Force's ISTAR Force: A Discussion with Air Commodore Dean Andrew". Second Line of Defense. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Farnborough 2018: RAF shakes up air and space intelligence - Digital Battlespace - Shephard Media". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  26. ^ "RAF Lossiemouth Base preparing for arrival of UK E-7 Wedgetail fleet". 10 October 2022.
  27. ^ a b "RAF employs private contractors in Middle East to launch armed drones in fight against Isis". The Telegraph. 18 August 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  28. ^ "From helicopters to a huge transporter - the military aircraft seen over northern Lincolnshire today". Grimsby Live. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  29. ^ "Waddington Wing Commander dies after short cancer battle". The Lincolnite. 6 February 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  30. ^ Chorley, Dan (13 October 2020). "RAF Poseidon MRA1 arrives at RAF Lossiemouth for the first time". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  31. ^ "VIDEO: RAF Lossiemouth welcomes first of Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) aircraft in initial phase of £350 million development by Ministry of Defence". The Northern Scot. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  32. ^ "616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron Reformation at RAF Waddington". Royal Air Force. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  33. ^ "First P-8 Poseidon handed over to Royal Air Force". UK Defence Journal. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  34. ^ "No 1 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  35. ^ "Yorkshire parade celebrates 75th anniversary of D-Day landings". Yorkshire Post. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  36. ^ "Team Edwards commemorates Battle of Britain". Edwards AFB. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  37. ^ "Prince Charles visits RAF College Cranwell for socially-distanced graduation ceremony". Grantham Journal. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  38. ^ "Watch the incredible moment an RAF plane lands on a Welsh beach". North Wales Live. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  39. ^ "Cobham to provide helicopter support to ETPS and RWTES in UK". Airforce Technology. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  40. ^ "Empire Test Pilot School at MOD Boscombe Down unveils new facilities". Salisbury Journal. 14 July 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Reino Unido e EUA participam com meios aéreos do exercício Crimson Warrior" (in Portuguese). Aeroflap. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  42. ^ "RAF Warrant Officer leads renovation of 1st Lt. Jarvis Offutt's grave". US Air Force. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  43. ^ "Project Mosquito: UK's 'Loyal Wingman' Program Moves Ahead". AIN online. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  44. ^ "Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  45. ^ a b "Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation: Groups 20-29". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  46. ^ "No 2 Group". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  47. ^ "RAF Regiment – Freedrom of Information Request to the Royal Air Force". WhatDoTheyKnow. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  48. ^ "RAuxAF and RAF Reserve – Freedom of Information Request to the Royal Air Force". WhatDoTheyKnow. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  49. ^ "RAF Unit assignment – Freedom of Information request to the Royal Air Force". WhatDoTheyKnow. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  50. ^ "Force Structures – Freedom of Information request to the Royal Air Force". WhatDoTheyKnow. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  51. ^ "RAF Henlow". Royal Air Force.
  52. ^ "RAF's No. 11 Group to Reform". Warfare.Today. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  53. ^ "RAF Spadeadam - Bunker Tours". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  54. ^ "Senior Appointments 10th February 2020". raf.mod.uk. Royal Air Force. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020. Air Commodore R C Maddison OBE to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Air Officer Commanding No 22 Group in August 2020 in succession to Air Vice-Marshal W A W James CBE whose next appointment is yet to be announced.
  55. ^ "RAF Shawbury celebrates first joint graduation at the Defence College of Air and Space Operations". Shropshire Live. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  56. ^ Smith, Rory (29 February 2020). "RAF chief opens state-of-the-art helicopter training facilities in Shawbury". Shropshire Star. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  57. ^ "Honours for RAF Shawbury workers in new list". Shropshire Star. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  58. ^ "705 Naval Air Squadron". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  59. ^ "RAF Mountain rescue personnel train with 202 Squadron". North Wales Chronicle. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  60. ^ "Scores attend Shropshire funeral of tragic RAF war hero who died with no family". Shropshire Star. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  61. ^ "IN FOCUS: British Army fights to influence helicopter training choices". Flight Global. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  62. ^ "Chief of the Air Staff visits 3 Flying Training School at RAF College Cranwell". RAF. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  63. ^ "RAF 45 Squadron concludes training of pilots at 3FTS". Airforce Technology. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  64. ^ "Pilots at Lincolnshire RAF base earn their wings in record time". Lincolnshire Live. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  65. ^ "703 Naval Air Squadron". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  66. ^ "Surrey pilot lands plane on RAF Valley runway 'so he can go to the beach'". North Wales Live. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  67. ^ "Mum with MS uses own experience in the RAF to inspire next generation". North Wales Chronicle. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  68. ^ "RAF chief opens state-of-the-art helicopter training facilities in Shawbury". Shropshire Star. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  69. ^ "RAF Cranwell Graduates are Reviewed by RAF Marhsal Prince Charles". Crown Chronicles. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  70. ^ "About Us - UBAS Online". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  71. ^ "Closure Of Colerne Airfield, Wiltshire" (PDF). p. 1. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  72. ^ "RAF Wittering hosts Cambridge University Air Squadron". Rutland and Stamford Mercury. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  73. ^ "MP demands assurances over future of Leuchars airfield". The Courier. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  74. ^ a b "University Air Squadron - North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  75. ^ "New officer commanding Operations Wing at RAF Wittering appointed". Peterborough Telegraph. 14 September 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  76. ^ "NI universities squadron will reach for skies in new RAF trainer planes". The News Letter. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  77. ^ "Why the skies over Teesside might become a busier place - even at night". TeessideLive. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  78. ^ ""Penetrating" plane noise angers Abingdon residents". Oxford Mail. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  79. ^ "NATS assumes operations of St Athan Airfield". Airport Technology. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  80. ^ "Queen Ethelburga's school pays touching tribute to last Tucano flight". The Press. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  81. ^ "New Defence College of Technical Training announced". UK Government. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  82. ^ "Tom is off to a flying start to his career in the Royal Air Force". In Your Area. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  83. ^ "Chief of the Air Staff formally names state-of-the-art training facility at RAF Shawbury". Shropshire Live. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  84. ^ "RN Air Engineering and Survival School - Royal Navy". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  85. ^ "WW2 veteran who served with the Royal Signals is given guard of honour salute". Bournemouth Daily Echo. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  86. ^ "Remembrance – Officers march through Maresfield Park to church". Uckfield News. 10 November 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  87. ^ "REME to march past MOD Lyneham for Remembrance Sunday". Swindon Advertiser. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  88. ^ "RAF St Athan: School of Technical Training". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  89. ^ "New REME Commanding Officer takes up post at MOD Lyneham". Gazette and Herald. 1 November 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  90. ^ "Defence School of Marine Engineering". Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  91. ^ RAF College Cranwell. OACTU
  92. ^ "RAF IOT". the Student Room. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  93. ^ "RAF Cranwell officer is made a CBE". Grantham Journal. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  94. ^ "Qatar's European Allies Reinforce Qatari Defense". Second Line of Defense. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  95. ^ "Inside Mission Control: Directing The Air Campaign Against Islamic Statestate". Forces TV. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  96. ^ a b c "No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  97. ^ "Young Moray dad dies in crash while assisting efforts against IS terror group". Press and Journal. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  98. ^ "UK's 906th Expeditionary Air Wing stands up in UAE". Tangent Link. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
Categories