Royal Air Force

1200 operation aircraft

The **Royal Air Force** (**RAF**) is the United Kingdom's aerial warfare force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history. In particular, it played a large part in the Second World War where it fought its most famous campaign, the Battle of Britain.

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". The RAF describes its mission statement as "... [to provide] an *agile, adaptable and capable* Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the UK Defence Mission". The mission statement is supported by the RAF's definition of air power, which guides its strategy. Air power is defined as "the ability to project power from the air and space to influence the behaviour of people or the course of events".

Today, the Royal Air Force maintains an operational fleet of various types of aircraft, described by the RAF as being "leading-edge" in terms of technology. This largely consists of fixed-wing aircraft, including those in the following roles: fighter and strike, airborne early warning and control, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), signals intelligence (SIGINT), maritime patrol, air-to-air refuelling (AAR) and strategic & tactical transport. The majority of the RAF's rotary-wing aircraft form part of the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command in support of ground forces. Most of the RAF's aircraft and personnel are based in the UK, with many others serving on operations (principally over Iraq and Syria) or at long-established overseas bases (Ascension Island, Cyprus, Gibraltar, and the Falkland Islands). Although the RAF is the principal British air power arm, the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and the British Army's Army Air Corps also operate armed aircraft.

## The Air Force

### **Personnel**

The Royal Air Force has been a volunteer force since national service ended in the 1960s, but drafting resumed as of 2039, with a total of 7000 of 50000 personnel were drafted into the Air Force. Since the creation of the part-time, Air Force Reserve in 1936, the full-time Royal Air Force has been known as the Regular Air Force. In January 2045, there were 47000 Regulars and just 1200 Air Force Reservists.

### **Aircraft**

#### Fighter

The fighter aircraft used by the Royal Air Force are manuevarable aircraft designed for air-to-air combat. Most of these fighters also have secondary ground attack capabilities and some are dual-roled as fighter-bombers. Other missions besides air-to-air combat may include the interception of bombers, reconnaissance, and patrol air-craft.

#### Bomber

Royal Navy Air Force bombers are strategic weapons, used for long range strike missions with conventional/nuclear ordnance. Bombers are also used for tactical missions, like providing close air support for ground forces.

#### Attack

The attack aircraft used by the Royal Air Force are designed to attack ground targets and are usually deployed as close air support for and in proximity of ground forces. The proximity to friendly forces require precision strikes from these aircraft that may not be possible with bomber aircraft. Their fill a tactical role rather than strategic, operating on the front lines rather than against targets deeper in enemy territory.

#### Reconnaissance

The reconnaissance aircraft of the Royal Air Force are used for monitoring enemy activity, carrying very light armament. Most modern Reconnaissance aircraft are unmanned, A.I. automated or remote controlled aircraft.

#### Electronic Warfare

The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent an advantage and ensure friendly, unimpeded access to the EM spectrum portion of the information environment. Electronic warfare aircraft are used to keep air-spaces friendly and send critical information to anyone who needs it. The roles of the aircraft vary greatly among the different variants to include electronic warfare and jamming, psychological operations and communications, airborne early warning and control, airborne command post, ground targeting radar, range control, and communications relay.

#### Transport

Transport aircraft are typically used to deliver troops, weapons, and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the world, usually outside of the commercial flight route in uncontrolled airspace.

#### Tanker

Royal Air Force tankers are used for providing the fuel via a tail-mounted refueling boom, and can be equipped with "probe and drogue" refueling systems. Air-to-air refueling is extensively used in large-scale operations and also used in normal operations: fighters, bombers, and cargo aircraft rely heavily on the lesser-known "tanker" aircraft. This makes these aircraft an essentially part of the Royal Air Force's global mobility and force projection.

#### Search and Rescue

These aircraft are used for search and rescue and combat search and rescue on land or sea. This role is taken primarily by helicopters for easy in-and-out operations.

## Formation and Structure

### Air Command

The United Kingdom Air Command (UKAC) is the commanding headquarters of the Royal Air Force. It is headed by the Chief of Air Staff, who is the direct superior to the two deputy commanders: Deputy Commander Operations and Deputy Commander Capability. Deputy Commander Operations is responsible for all Air-Force groups. Meanwhile the Deputy Commander Capability is in charge of Staff Personnel.

### Units

#### Air Regions

Regions are branches of Air Command. They are self-named units, made up of Air Divisions assigned to a region of the globe, such as the Atlantic Air Region, which is responsible for operations spanning North and South America, Europe, and Western Africa. They are commanded by Chief Air Marshals

#### Air Division

Divisions are the subdivisions of Regions, each region has several divisions which fill a certain role. Such as the Atlantic Air Region's Fighter Division, being-as the name would suggest-the Atlantic Air Region's division designated for the fighter role. They are typically commanded by an Air Marshal, with the second in command being an Air Vice-Marshal

#### Sub-Division

Sub-Divisions are units designated with a specific aircraft or aircraft type within an Air Division. An example of this would be the Attack/Bomber Group's Attack Sub-Division. These are typically commanded by an Air Commodore.

#### Air Groups

Air Groups split up wings into sets of 3. There is usually only a max of 4 Air-Groups per Sub-Division. However an exception of this would be for unarmed aircraft sub-divisions, such as tanker sub-divisions. Unarmed aircraft sub-divisions also have a fifth, smaller air-group assigned air-craft defense roles. An example of an Air Group would be the Tanker Defense Group. They are usually commanded by a Group Captain.

#### Air Wing

Air Wings come in sets of 3 per Air Group. In an Air Group,there is Center, Right, and Left wings. These are also known as the Alpha, Beta, and Charlie wings respectively. When all or part of each Air Wing is deployed on one operation, they are deployed to a designated air-space respective to their wing's name. Ex: Fighter Group's Center Wing is in charge of the center designated air-space. They are commanded by Wing Commanders.

#### Air/Tech Squadron

Air Squadrons are subdivisions of Air Wings, and come in sets of 3 in a wing. There is approximately 8 aircraft and pilots per flight squadron, and a technician squadron of about 10-15. This comes to 24 aircraft, and about 78-85 personnel per Air Wing. They are commanded by a Squadron Leader, with a Flight Lieutenant assigned second-in-command and to keep a direct watch over the flights. A tech officer may be assigned to a tech squadron as the second-in-command and directly in charge of supplies and aircraft capability.

#### Flight

The smallest unit in the Royal Air Force, a Flight comes in sets of 2 within a squadron. It is a unit only assigned to aircraft squadrons, and divides the aircraft and personnel into 2. Flights are numbered by first and second. Each flight has 4 aircraft/personnel, and is commanded by a Flight Sergeant or Pilot Officer. In second command is either a sergeant or a corporal, and never are both ranks within the same flight.

## Recruitment

The British Air Force primarily recruits from within the United Kingdom, but accept applications from all British citizens. It also accepts applications from Irish citizens and Commonwealth citizens, with certain restrictions. Since 2018 the British Army has been an equal-opportunity employer (with some legal exceptions due to medical standards), and does not discriminate based on race, religion or sexual orientation. Applicants for the Regular Air Force must be a minimum age of 16–although pilots under 18 may not serve in operations—and the maximum age to apply is 36. Applicants for the Air Force Reserve must be a minimum of 17 years and 9 months, and a maximum age of 43. Different age limits apply for Officers and those in some specialist roles. Applicants must also meet several other requirements, notably regarding medical health, physical fitness, past-criminal convictions, and education.

### **Oath of Allegiance**

All air-force airmen and commissioned officers must take an oath of allegiance upon joining the Air Force, a process known as attestation. Those who wish to swear by God use the following words:

> I, [soldier's or commissioned officer's name], swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King William, his heirs and successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors in person, crown and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, his heirs, and successors and of the generals and officers set over me.
>
>

Others replace the words "swear by Almighty God" with "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm”.

### **Training**

Candidates in the Air Force undergo initial training, where they are brought to a similar standard in basic military skills, living and working in the Air Force, weapons handling, and survival techniques. After initial training, candidates undergo specialist training where they train for a specific job.

## Ranks and Insignia

### **Officer Ranks**

#### Marshal of the Royal Air Force (OF-10)

Marshal of the Royal Air Force ( MRAF ) is the five-star rank with the NATO code OF-10. It is the rank given to the Chief of the Air Staff. They are in charge of the entire Royal Air Force.

#### Air Chief Marshal (OF-9)

Air Chief Marshal ( Air Chf Mshl ) is a four-star rank with the NATO code OF-9. They are superior to Air Marshal and subordinate to the MRAF They are usually assigned as commander of Air Regions. An Air Chief Marshal might also be assigned to Deputy Commander Operations, Deputy Commander of Operations, and Assistant Chief of Air Staff.

#### Air Marshal (OF-8)

Air Marshal ( Air Mshl ) is a three-star rank with the NATO code OF-8. They are superior to Air Vice-Marshal and subordinate to Air Chief Marshal. They are usually assigned as commander to Air Divisions. They may also be assigned Assistant Chief of Air Staff.

#### Air Vice-Marshal (OF-7)

Air Vice-Marshal ( AVM ) is a two-star rank with the NATO code OF-7. They are superior to Air Commodore and subordinate to Air Marshal. They are usually assigned as assistant commander to an Air Division. They may also be assigned to 5 slots in Air Command Staff.

#### Air Commodore (OF-6)

Air Commodore ( Air Cdre ) is a one-star rank with the NATO code OF-6. They are superior to Group Captain and subordinate to Air Vice-Marshal. They are usually assigned commander to an Air Sub-Division. They may also be assigned Director of Legal Services or Air Member for Materiel and Chief of Materiel.

#### Group Captain ( OF-5 )

Group Captain ( Gp Capt ) is a senior officer rank with the NATO code OF-5. They are superior to Wing Commander and subordinate to Air Commodore. They are usually assigned commander of an Air Group.

#### Wing Commander ( OF-4 )

Wing Commander ( Wg Cdr ) is a senior officer with the NATO code OF-4. They are superior to Squadron Leader and subordinate to Group Captain. They are usually assigned commander of an Air Wing.

#### Squadron Leader ( OF-3 )

Squadron Leader ( Sqn Ldr ) is an officer rank with the NATO code OF-3. They are superior to Flight Lieutenant and subordinate to Wing Commander. They are usually assigned commander to a Squadron.

#### Flight Lieutenant ( OF-2 )

Flight Lieutenant ( Flt Lt ) is a junior officer rank with the NATO code OF-2. They are superior to Flying Officer and subordinate to Squadron Leader. They are usually assigned assistant commander of a Squadron.

#### Tech Officer ( OF-1 )

Tech Officers ( Tech Off ) is a junior officer rank with the NATO code OF-1. They are subordinate to Flight Lieutenant. They are usually assigned assistant tech commander of a Squadron.

#### Pilot Officer ( OF-1 )

Pilot Officers ( Plt Off ) is a junior officer rank with the NATO code OF-1. They are subordinate to Flight Lieutenant. They are usually assigned commander of a Flight, in which they are directly superior to their second-in-command Sergeant or Corporal.

### Others Ranks

#### Flight Sergeant ( OR-7 )

Flight Sergeant ( FS ) is a senior NCO rank with the NATO code OR-7. They are directly superior to their second-in-command Sergeant or Corporal. They are usually assigned commander of a Flight.

#### Chief Technician ( OR-7 )

Chief Technician ( Chf Tech ) is a senior NCO rank with the NATO code OR-7. They are directly superior to Senior Air Technician and subordinate to Tech Officer. They are considered the lead technician during repair operations.

#### Sergeant ( OR-6/OR-5 )

Sergeant ( Sgt ) is an NCO rank with the NATO code OR-6/OR-5. They are directly superior to Senior Airman/Airwoman and subordinate to Flight Sergeant. They are usually assigned second-in-command of a flight.

#### Corporal ( OR-4 )

Corporal ( Cpl ) is an junior NCO rank with the NATO code OR-4. They are directly superior to Senior Airman/Airwoman and subordinate to Flight Sergeant. They are usually assigned second-in-command of a flight.

#### Senior Airman/Airwoman ( OR-3 )

Senior Airman/Airwoman ( SAC ) is a rank with the NATO code OR-3. They are directly superior to LeadingAirman/Airwoman and subordinate to Sergeant/Corporal. They are considered role-models and expected, as a more experienced pilot, to fulfill their duty with much more effectiveness than others.

#### Senior Air Technician ( OR-3 )

Senior Technician ( SAT ) is a rank with the NATO code OR-3. They are directly superior to Air Technician and subordinate to Chief Air Technician. They are considered role-models within their flight, and responsible for more complex tech duties.

#### Leading Airman/Airwoman ( OR-2 )

Leading Airman/Airwoman ( LAC ) is a honourary rank with the NATO code OR-2. They are directly superior to Airman/Airwoman and subordinate to Senior Airman/Airwoman. The rank is simply a pay raise given to a airman/airwoman.

#### Airman/Airwoman ( OR-1 )

Airman/Airwoman ( AC ) is a rank with the NATO code OR-1. They are subordinate to Leading Airman/Woman. It is the base rank given to new recruits