The Royal Air Force

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Revision 1.01

The Royal Air ForceLearning Outcome 1

Know about the history and organisation of the Royal Air Force

The Royal Air Force

The History and Organisation of the Royal Air Force

Aims and Objectives

• Understand the history of the RAF

• Understand the structure of the RAF today

• Understand the roles of the modern RAF

• Learn how an RAF Station is organised

Before The RAF

• The Royal Balloon School was the first “air force”.

Before The RAF

• The Royal Balloon School was the first “air force”.

• Formation of the Royal Flying Corps on 13 Mar 1912.

Before The RAF

• The Royal Balloon School was the first “air force”.

• Formation of the Royal Flying Corps on 13 Mar 1912.

• Navy Wing splits to form Royal Navy Air Service in July 1914.

The Formation of the Royal Air Force

• The RAF formed on 1st of April 1918 and Lord Trenchard is appointed Chief of Air Staff.

The Formation of the Royal Air Force

• The RAF formed on 1st of April 1918 and Lord Trenchard is appointed Chief of Air Staff.

• The RAF gets a new Badge (crest). Its motto means “Through Struggles to the Stars”.

The Formation of the Royal Air Force

• The RAF formed on 1st of April 1918 and Lord Trenchard is appointed Chief of Air Staff.

• The RAF gets a new Badge (crest). Its motto means “Through Struggles to the Stars”.

• The RAF gets a new Ensign to represent its authority.

World War II“This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German Government a final note stating that unless we heard from them by 11.00 a.m. that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us.

I have to tell you that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.”

World War II

The RAF defeats the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain

Churchill’s famous speech on ‘The Few’

World War II

• The RAF defeats the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain.

• The RAF lowers German moral and disrupts manufacture with a massive bombing campaign over Germany.

The Cold War

•The Berlin Airlift•The Cold War Begins

The Cold War

• The Berlin Airlift• The Cold War Begins

The Cold War

• The Berlin Airlift• The Cold War Begins• The Cold War causes an

Arms Race

The Cold War

• The Berlin Airlift• The Cold War Begins.• The Cold War causes an

Arms Race.• The RAF Becomes a

largely standoff defence force as the country waits for war to come.

An Expeditionary Air Force

• The Falklands War signalling the return to an Expeditionary Air Force

An Expeditionary Air Force

• The Falklands War signalling the return to an Expeditionary Air Force

• The RAF undertake key roles in the Gulf

An Expeditionary Air Force

• The Falklands War signalling the return to an Expeditionary Air Force

• The RAF undertake key roles in the Gulf

• The RAF help Peacekeeping in Kosovo and Bosnia

The RAF Today

• RAF Strength around 50,000

The RAF Today

• RAF Strength around 50,000

• Women now undertake front line jobs in the RAF

The RAF Today

• RAF Strength around 50,000

• Women now undertake front line jobs in the RAF

• What is the RAF involved in Today?

RAF Organisation

Air Command

Number 1 GroupAir Combat Group

• HQ – RAF High Wycombe• Units Which come under 1

Group:– Fast Jet Squadrons– The Joint Harrier Force– The Battle of Britain

Memorial Flight

Number 2 GroupAir Combat Support Group

• HQ – RAF High Wycombe• Units Which come under 2 Group:

– Force Protection which includes:• RAF Regiment• RAF Police

– Tactical Transport and Refuelling– Combat Intelligence, Surveillance,

Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (CISTAR)

Number 22 Group

• HQ – RAF High Wycombe• Responsible for all Training

including:– RAF College Cranwell– DCAE Cosford– The Air Cadets– Flying Training

The Organisation of an RAF Station

Station CommanderGroup Captain

Operations Wing

Wing Commander

Forward Support Wing

Wing Commander

Base Support Wing

Wing Commander

Operations(inc. flying –

Air Traffic Control)

General AircraftEngineering

(Elec, Mech & MT)

Training, Supply,Catering,

Accommodation,Police, Regiment,

PhysEd, Accounts,Personnel

Training, Supply, Catering,

Accommodation, Police, Regiment, PhysEd, Accounts,

Personnel

Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs) and Joint Service Elements in a Modern RAF

• EAWs are formed when needed and report directly to Air Command

Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs) and Joint Service Elements in a Modern RAF

• EAWs are formed when needed and report directly to Air Command

• Joint Service Organisations help the RAF work efficiently with its fellow services

Aims and Objectives

• Understand the history of the RAF

• Understand the structure of the RAF today

• Understand the roles of the modern RAF

• Learn how an RAF Station is organised

Questions?