Air Force: 2009

Canada's Air Force

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Purpose - General Information

Command and Control

The Commander of Air Command and the Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Angus Watt , located at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction for the Air Force.
The Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, Major-General J.M. Duval is based in Winnipeg. He is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and world-wide.

Air Force Personnel

Budget

The annual operating budget for the Air Force is approximately $2.5 billion. Compared to our NATO allies, this budget is comparatively small; however, it provides Canadians with security at home and global airlift and operations in support of Canada's foreign policy. The monies are dedicated to operating and maintaining a fleet of over 333 Aircraft and 13 Wings located in all regions of the country from which Air Force personnel patrol Canada's 15,540,000 square kilometres, provide search and rescue, re-supply our peacekeepers and protect Canada's interests abroad.

Wings

Thirteen wings (at Canadian Forces Bases) are located across Canada, from Gander, Nfld. to Comox, BC. The Wings conduct Air Force operations under the direction of 1 Cdn Air Div/CANR. A Canadian component of the NATO Airborne Early Warning Force is located in Geilenkirchen, Germany.

http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/site/purpose/today5_e.asp

Air Force Vision

The goal of the Air Force is to provide the Government of Canada with an effective instrument of national power. The Vision of the transformed Aerospace Force is as follows:
The Air Force will be transformed from a primarily static, platform-based organization into an expeditionary, network-enabled, capability-based and results-focused Aerospace Force that will effectively contribute to security at home and abroad well into the 21st Century. We will continue to be a quality force based on teamwork, excellence and professionalism.
The Air Force has developed a strategic vision to guide its transformation in order to remain relevant, effective and efficient well into the 21st century. This vision is outlined in Bravo magazine and the three documents that provide direction for change and transformation.
Security Above All
Transforming Canada's Air Force is about building the right Air Force for the Canada of the future and the world of tomorrow. It is about an Air Force that effectively contributes to the security of Canada and its people, and one of which Canadians can be proud

Strategic Vectors
Strategic Vectors is one of several planning documents that guides the Air Force's development and transformation into a 21st century Aerospace Force. It establishes a long-term transformation vision and strategy

The Aerospace Capability Framework
The Aerospace Capability Framework (ACF) is one of several planning documents that guides the Air Force's development and transformation into a 21st century Aerospace Force. It contains near and mid-term implementation details of that transformation
http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/site/vision/intro_e.asp

Missions and Roles

Mission:
The mission of Canada's air force is to generate and maintain combat capable, multi-purpose, air forces to meet Canada's defence objectives.

Vision:
An Air Force based on excellence and professionalism, equipped, trained and ready to prevail in combat, with the reach and power to effectively contribute to national and international security.

Air Force Transformation:
The Air Force will transform from a primarily static, platform-focused, post-Cold War Air Force to an expeditionary, Network-enabled, Capability-based, Results-focused, Aerospace Force for the 21st Century and continue to be a force based on excellence and professionalism, equipped, trained and ready to prevail in combat, with the reach and power to contribute effectively to national and international security.

Core Values:
Professionalism, Excellence and Teamwork

Maxims:
" At all times professional, In all things ethical, To all people respectful. "

Role:
Canada's air force supports a wide variety of domestic and international operations. It also provides support to naval and land defence policy objectives by providing an operationally ready, multi-purpose, and combat capable force. Its roles include:

Surveillance and control of Canadian airspace;

World-wide airlift of Canadian Forces personnel and material;

Support to the operations of the navy and army;

Support to other government departments;

Search and Rescue; and

Humanitarian operations

http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/site/purpose/today1_e.asp

Serving Canadians

From coast to coast, the air force is at work every day here at home, through our 13 Wings (bases) stationed across the country. Whether it's defending Canadian airspace, flying search and rescue missions that save lives, intercepting Aircraft or ships carrying illegal drugs or providing relief during national disasters like floods or ice storms, we play a direct role in keeping Canada and Canadians safe.

Some of the air force's research discoveries have benefits that filter down to many people -- for example, studies on flight in adverse weather conditions that have yielded information useful to commercial airlines. Through the famous Snowbirds, we demonstrate to Canadians and others just how good our armed forces training and technology is, entertaining millions of people every year in the process.
http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/site/athomedocs/athome_e.asp

Serving the World

Our combat-ready force takes an active role in multinational missions, representing Canada's interests on the world stage and helping to maintain global stability.

The air force flies peace support missions and conveys relief workers, emergency food and medical supplies to scenes of natural disasters or where armed conflicts have left little behind -- alleviating suffering and saving lives. The global neighbours we help often become valuable trading partners.

When we transport Canadian government officials on trade missions and diplomatic forays, Canadian workers, farmers and business owners benefit when these activities result in increased exports or productive trade agreements. And when air force participation in the space program sends talented astronauts like Colonel Chris Hadfield into orbit, the whole world shares in the knowledge gained and advances made.
http://www.airforce.dnd.ca/site/abroaddocs/abroad_e.asp

Letters Home From The War

British Air Power and Colonial Control in Iraq: 1920 – 1925

British Air Power and Colonial Control in Iraq: 1920 – 1925
By David E. Omissi
The following text is an excerpt from Air Power and Colonial Control: The Royal Air Force, 1919–1939 (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1990). Omissi often refers to "Mesopotamia," the older name for the territory that would soon be called Iraq. Omissi is Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, University of Hull (UK)
(pp. 19-20)
Whatever shape the future administration of Iraq might assume, there were many within the British government who could justify, in various ways, a continued British presence in the country, although their reasoning was often challenged by those sections of the press and public who deplored a lengthy occupation. Mesopotamia had only been wrested from the Turks with the sacrifice of many lives and much money, and some clear advantage had to be derived if the imperial victories, and defeats, were to seem worthwhile. A secure route to India across the Middle East offered a useful alternative to the main links by mandatory relationship and the repeated denials of British occupation. As the Royal Navy gradually converted from coal-burning to oil-burning ships, it became more and more difficult to obtain supplies of high quality fuel. Dependence upon the production of the United States and Mexico was a strategic embarrassment which might best be averted by the development of Mesopotamian reserves. The motive power of these hopes for British policy in the early 1920s is not diminished by the fact that they were never entirely fulfilled.
(pp. 20-21)
The cost of the large Mesopotamian garrison was thought excessive by almost all British politicians, but it was much less clear how to limit the occupying forces without loosening the imperial hold over at least part of the country. In August 1919 [Minister of War and Air Winston] Churchill had warned that the garrison of 25,000 British and 80,000 Indian troops would have to be drastically cut, and in November 1919 he suggested that British power could be more cheaply maintained if mechanized forces replaced some units of foot. He advised that the infantry garrison be reduced to a small force in a fortified camp near Baghdad, with blockhouses at other important points, while mechanized units-on land, on river and in the air-patrolled the rest of the country. This was the first of several similar schemes proposed by Churchill over the next two years. […]
But Churchill persisted in his attempts to find cheaper method of holding Mesopotamia. By early 1920 the garrison still included 14, 000 British troops, besides Indians, and expenditure was then running at about £18 million a year. Driven by this financial imperative, Churchill now began to think along more radical military lines. In mid-February he asked [Chief of the Air Staff Hugh] Trenchard whether he would be ‘prepared to take Mesopotamia on’: the bat an increase of five or six million pounds in the air force estimates and appointment of an Air Officer as Commander-in-Chief. Churchill believed that the country could be cheaply policed by aircraft armed with gas bombs, supported by as few as 4,000 British and 10,000 Indian troops; and he invited Trenchard to submit a scheme along those lines. Trenchard obliged, as he wanted to find an independent peacetime role to secure the future of his obliged, as he wanted to find an independent peacetime role to secure the future of his fledging service. The Air Staff drew up a plan by which Mesopotamia would be garrisoned by ten air force squadrons, mainly concentrated at Baghdad. Regular troops would be used only to guard air bases and perhaps for some limited co-operation with the bombers. As Trenchard pointed out, aircraft could strike swiftly into areas barely accessible to ground forces, could distribute propaganda and could obtain early intelligence of hostile masses. Churchill outlined his scheme to the House of Commons on 22 March.
(pp. 22-23)
[President Woodrow] Wilson’s skepticism about air control might have been discounted as his usual scaremongering were it not for the outbreak of a full-scale uprising in Mesopotamia in the summer of 1920. It is impossible to accept the assertion of [professor Elie] Kedourie that the rising was the product of ‘encouragement from outside’ and was important only in so far as external agitation ‘succeeded in magnifying its extent and significance’. On the contrary, the revolt shook the very foundations of British rule in Mesopotamia, and brought about major changes in political and military policy. The rising, mainly a response to British tax policy, began in Rumaitha in early July and insurrection was general along the lower Euphrates by the middle of the month. After a column composed mainly of the 2 Manchesters was almost entirely destroyed by a rebel ambush, a division of Indian reinforcements was hastily summoned to Basra, but the first of these reserves did not arrive until 7 August. The situation was at its most serious during the last week of August when the rebellion spread to the upper Euphrates and to the countryside around Baghdad: there were also the first signs of unrest in Kurdistan. At the height of their effort the tribesmen fielded about 131,000 men, of whom perhaps half were armed with modern rifles. Their leaders were drawn mainly from those groups whose power had waned under British rule: Shia mujahids, former Ottoman civil servants and ex-officers of the Turkish armies. The leading Arab patriots in Baghdad and the wealthy merchants of Basra, men with more to lose, stood aloof and awaited the event. For the British the crisis had passed by mid-September but heavy fighting went on until the end of the following month.
Before the rebellion the squadrons of the Royal Air Force had already been active in the policing of Iraq. Lieutenant-General Aylmer Haldane praised the ‘admirable work of …the Raf under extremely arduous conditions’ after bombers had been used to suppress unrest in Kurdistan in the winter of 1919-20 and again the following spring. Aircraft also patrolled the British line of communications between Baghdad and Mosul and took punitive action against the Sufran tribe in the Diwaniyah area. But the 1920 rebellion convinced several observers that aircraft could not replace ground troops as the main imperial police force in Iraq. Haldane acknowledged that aeroplanes had proved proved of great value during the revolt for reconnaissance, close support, pursuit, rapid communication and demonstration; but he denied that aircraft alone could force the submission of tribes who were committed to rebellion. [Civil Commissiner] Arnold Wilson believed that the main the main cause of the revolt was the perceived military weakness of the imperial forces after the reduction of the garrison: ‘to kick a man when he is down is the most popular pastime in the East, sanctioned by centuries of precept and practice’. He also suggested however, that the ‘use of aeroplanes against recalcitrants’ had created deep currents of resentment which had surfaced in rebellion. In August 1920 the Times ran a leading article which claimed that the revolt had tested the methods of air control and found them wanting; and this before they had even been tried.
Both Churchill and Trenchard tried to vast the most flattering light upon actions of the Royal Air Force. During the first week of July there were fierce fighting around Samawa and Rumaitha on the Euphrates but, Churchill told the Cabinet on 7 July, ‘our attack was successful...The enemy were bombed and machine-gunned with effect by aeroplanes which cooperated with the troops.’ During the blockade of Rumaitha, aircraft attacked rebel positions and dropped ammunition and food to the beleaguered imperial garrison.
(pp. 39)
The policing role of most political moment carried out by the Royal Air Force during the 1920s was to maintain the power of the Arab kingdoms in Transjordan and Iraq; but aeroplanes also helped to dominate other populations under British sway. Schemes of air control similar to that practiced in Mesopotamia were set up in the Palestine Mandate in 1922 and in the Aden Protectorate six yeats later. Bombers were active at various times against rioters in Egypt, tribesmen on the Frontier, pastoralists in the Southern Sudan and nomads in the Somali hinterland. The air force intervened against organized workers in the British class struggle and against the rebels fighting for Irish independence. As the Treasury imposed strict limits upon military spending, each of the three services fought hard against the others for a larger share of a smaller whole, so the Air Ministry tried to extend the geographical limits of air policing to gain prestige, influence and funds.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/issues/iraq/history/1990airpow.htm

United Kingdom: Royal Air Force

Description and use of the RAF ensign
Order in Council (establishing the flag)
Constructions details
Derivation of the flag
Other RAF flags
Queen's colours of the RAF
Queen's colours of the RAF Regiment
RAF Yacht Club
Use of the US flag and RAF ensign at US Air Force bases in Britain
History of the RAF
Royal Air Force rank flags
Royal Air Force appointment flags
History of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force proposal
Royal Air Force: Timeline for introduction of the flag
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force Air Support Craft Ensign
See also:
United Kingdom
Civil air ensign of the United Kingdom
Ministry of Defence and army
Royal Navy
Belgian section of the Royal Air Force
RAF Sailing Association
RAF Yacht Club

Description and use of the flag
The British Royal Air Force Ensign is in light "Air Force" blue with the Union Jack in the canton and the Royal Air Force roundel, concentric rings of red-white-blue (from the inside out) in the middle of the fly.Roy Stilling, 18 December 1995
Before 1918 the Royal Naval Air Service used the White Ensign and I presume that the Royal Flying Corps used whatever flags were appropriate for a corps of the army, perhaps just the Union Jack? An interim flag was produced to represent the Royal Air Force at the armistice celebrations; a 'white ensign' with an overall dark blue St George's Cross, the Royal Air Force eagle in the centre of the cross, and a royal crown above it on the vertical arm of the cross. Rather more attractive than the roundel ensign, but not to the liking of the Admiralty who thought it looked too much like a naval flag. Between the armistice and 26 July 1920 when the present ensign was approved, the Royal Air Force was supposed to fly the Union Jack, but some former Royal Naval Air Service units flew the White Ensign, or the white ensign with a blue St George's Cross, but without the eagle and crown.
During World War II there was a Royal Air Force ensign with a black, yellow and red roundel - the ensign of the Belgian Section of the Royal Air Force.
David Prothero, 11 November 1998
Above the main entrance of the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall are three flagpoles with the Royal Navy's White Ensign, the British Army flag, and the Royal Air Force ensign flying in that order (from the observer's left to right).Joseph McMillan, 23 September
The Royal Air Force Ensign was approved without difference as the ensign of the Royal Australian Air Force on 24 July 1922 (AIR 2/211), and was not changed until 1949; but Canada and New Zealand had their own Air Force ensigns during WW2. The Royal Canadian Air Force was granted the right to use the Royal Air Force Ensign on 12 October 1921 (AIR 2/211), but replaced the central red disc with a red maple leaf in March 1940 (AIR 2/6141).The Royal New Zealand Air Force applied to change its ensign in August 1939. The new ensign was described as, "the Ensign of the Royal Air Force defaced by the addition of the letters N Z superimposed in white upon the red roundel of the ensign" (AIR 30/140).References are Public Record Office documents at Kew.David Prothero, 2 June 2002
This flag was introduced in 1918, and was concurrent with the founding of the Royal Air Force as a separate fighting unit. Christopher Southworth, 4 December 2003
The RAF have always referred to their flag as the RAF Ensign. It may possibly be by analogy with the White Ensign, particularly as the RAF originally wanted to have a White Ensign without the cross as their flag (they also tried a White Ensign with a blue cross, which they referred to as a St. Michael's cross). The Admiralty, on the other hand, stubbornly referred to it as an RAF flag, refusing to admit that the RAF had any right to fly an ensign.The RAF flag/Ensign was flown by the various launches and tenders that were part of seaplane squadrons in the 1920s and 1930s, and then by the vessels of the Air Sea Rescue Service, formed in 1939. Later renamed the Maritime Section, it was civilianised in 1986. The craft then flew a Blue Ensign, defaced by a badge of an RAF eagle above an anchor, all in yellow. That has since been wound up, and ASR services passed over to RAF helicopter squadrons (plus the RNLI and Coastguard).It remains open to question whether they actually had permission to fly the RAF Ensign as an ensign, however. The original Order in Council gave permission for the flag to be used whenever and wherever the Air Council saw fit, but the Admiralty did not think that the Order superseded the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act. In 1947, an RAF vessel was seized at sea by Customs, on the grounds that it was flying an illegal ensign (the RAF one), instead of the Red Ensign. The ASR launches got round the problem by the flying the flag from the mast, and flying nothing at the stern. In any case, as high speed vessels, the stern almost disappeared under the water when travelling at speed, so the ensign might not have properly visible anyway.Air bases have always been referred to as 'stations', and individually by name with the prefix 'RAF', e.g. RAF Finningley. The service would certainly have inherited a tradition of flying a flag at each station from the Royal Naval Air Service (which went to part form the RAF in 1918).Sources: PRO ADM 1/19970, 1/21665. Ian Sumner, 4 December 2003
The RAF flag is definitely an ensign. It's been labelled that way in BR20 for years. In Britain "ensign" is traditionally just another word for "flag", but has come to mean a flag with the national flag in the canton. And it will be called the RAF Ensign in the next edition of BR20 too, along with the rest of the RAF flags.The official Pantone shade of the RAF Ensign is 549, which looks too dark when printed on paper but works in fabric. The illustrations in the printed BR20 used Pantone 292 as and alternative, but I'm not happy with it and am looking at alternatives, such as a tint of Pantone 549 to simulate the fabric flag. A grey pale blue is a good description.Graham Bartram, 5 December 2003
The RAF ensign is flown from gaffs. Because of their descent from RNAS stations, RAF stations, like naval shore stations, are pseudo 'ships', flying their ensigns as if from the spankers of sailing ships.Stephen Fletcher, 12 August 2004
Order in Council
The original Order in Council was made on 24th March 1921:"24 March 1921. Buckingham Palace.Present : The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.Whereas it is expedient that the Royal Air Force shall use and employ a distinguishing ensign: Now therefore, His Majesty is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to Order, and it is hereby ordered as follows.
The following ensign is hereby established and shall be recognized as the colours of the Royal Air Force that is to say; of light blue, in the dexter canton the Union, and in the centre of the fly of the flag three roundles [sic] superimposed red upon white upon blue; and the said ensign shall be flown in such manner and on such occasions only as may from time to time be ordered by the Air Council.
This Order may be cited as the Royal Air Force Ensign Order 1921."
Curiously, it is dated after the Air Ministry Order (Weekly Order 1130 of 11th December 1920) that contains the flag-flying instructions.Ian Sumner, 5 December 2003
Constructions details
Based on current practice (rings 0.714 x height):
values provided by Graham Bartram
BR20 (produced by the MoD) used to give Pantone equivalents for the "Shades of Naval Bunting and Nato Stock Colours". These were deleted in Change No. 2, however, the details given for the RAF Ensign are 'NATO stock no.8305-99-130-4578, Pantone 549C, which accords with my memory of the flag (having seen it flying over an RAF Station) being a slightly greyish light blue. Christopher Southworth, 5 December 2003
That colour appears to be 26-179-179 (10%,70%,70%) in RGB, which I suspect is a problem. Closest are 0-153-153 (too dark) and 0-204-204 (too light).Changing the 0 to 51 doesn't help. Certainly having the B value at 255 is way off-beam.James Dignan, 5 December 2003
Based on official figures (rings 0.764 x height of flag):
by Martin Grieve
The construction details given on Martin Grieve's illustration are taken from an annotated drawing in Admiralty file ADM/12493, and are (in essence) confirmed by an illustration in the 1939 Edition of the German Admiralty flag book - the Flaggenbuch - and by that published by the Ministry of Defence in the current edition of BR20. The colour of the flag's field is officially described as "Air Force Blue", but is not otherwise defined. It is flown at RAF airfields, by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Attaches and Advisors, and also by the Heads OF RAF Missions abroad.Christopher Southworth, 4 December 2003
Having been in contact with Graham I can confirm that the original specifications (shown here) are the only official specifications extant, and that the five-sevenths referred to by him (and used for the upper construction diagram here) is, in fact, based on 'custom and practice'.Christopher Southworth, 29 January 2004
Derivation of the flag
The RAF website has a section on the RAF Ensign. In a nutshell, in 1920, the Air Council decided that it was to have its own flag. The Admiralty opposed the move at first, but later conceded, stating that the flag should be the Union Jack with a badge. The Air Council did not like the idea, suggesting a plain White Ensign without the cross. This infuriated the Admiralty, for the White Ensign was (is) reserved for the Royal Navy. King George V wanted the matter to be resolved by the cabinet, but nothing materialized. Meanwhile, the public were sending in their own designs. None was adopted, but there was one suggestion which impressed the parties concerned. This was to use the RAF roundel. Before the final decision was made, Air Vice Marshal Salmond added a Union Jack in the canton of the new flag, symbolizing British authority. The RAF Ensign was then adopted in December 1920, and authorized by the King's Order in Council on 24 March 1921.Miles Li, 25 January 2002

Other Royal Air Force flags
While browsing I.O. Evans's book Flags of the World (1971), I noticed that there are several other flags used by the Royal Air Force. These are (the text is quoted from the book):
Royal Observer CorpsFounded in 1925 to identify enemy aircraft, the Royal Observer Corps places its own emblem, instead of the Air Force roundels, in the fly of the Royal Air Force ensign. Its central device, encircled with a wreath of laurel and surmounted by the royal crown, represents an Elizabethan coast-watcher holding up a torch, and it includes the motto "Forewarned is Forearmed." Dave Martucci, 6 December 1997
As a former Royal Observer Corps officer, some clarification detail to the points made about the ROC Flag. It is identical in layout and colour to the RAF flag, with the Beacon Lighter, nickname Firey Fred, in place of the roundel. The ROC Association Standards are identical to the ROC originals, but with the word "Association" added after "Royal Observer Corps". (No. 3 Group's ROCA standard is the original group standard with Association added).
The Field Force of the ROC was actually stood down in September 1991, that was the Sector and Group Controls and the Monitoring Posts, i.e. the majority of the Corps. The remainder were stood down in 1994, note stood down, not disbanded, our National Standard is at RAF Cranwell. However it is unlikely that the Corps will ever be re-formed.Alan Hames, 11 September 2006
Air Training Corps
by Dean Thomas
The badge of the Air Training Corps, similarly placed in the fly of the Royal Air Force ensign, depicts a soaring falcon and places the Corps motto 'Venture Adventure' below it and an astral crown above. Ocean Weather ShipsThe badge of the Ocean Weather Ships displays the Royal Air Force eagle against the sun rising over the sea; this emblem, however, appears not on the Royal Air Force ensign but on the Blue Ensign.
Does anyone know if these services are still in existence and if these are still their flags?
Dave Martucci, 6 December 1997
The Royal Observer Corps was stood down in 1994. It had been disbanded and revived once before, but I doubt it will be revived again this side of warfare threatening Britain directly. After World War II, its original purpose of identifying overflying enemy aircraft became incidental to a new role of monitoring fallout levels and radiation hazards in the event of nuclear war. It was a civilian-staffed volunteer reserve organisation and there was once a network of ROC bunkers and observation posts across the country.
The Air Training Corps still exists and, whilst is no longer officially the cadet arm of the Royal Air Force, it remains affiliated to the Royal Air Force and I believe its members, junior and adult, still wear RAF-style uniforms.
Roy Stilling, 6 December 1997
There seem to have been three versions of the Royal Observer Corps badge:1. Tudor crown and gold wreath;2. St Edward's crown and a green wreath;3. Tudor crown and a green wreath.
In 1993, when the Ocean Weather Ships were down to one ship (called "Cumulus" I think), the lettering on the badge was changed, without authorisation, from 'Weather Ship' to 'Weather Service'. I don't know if it's still operating.
David Prothero, 7 December 1997
A little while ago we discussed variants of the British Royal Air Force ensign and the question was posed as to whether they are still in use. Well, I finally had cause to talk to a colleague at work who is a former Royal Observer Corps (ROC) member and is now a leader in the Air Training Corps (ATC), which is a cadet organisation for young people who are considering a career in the Royal Air Force.
Firstly, Neville told me that the ATC ensign, which is a standard British ensign but with an "air-force blue" (i.e. sky blue) field bearing the ATC badge of a hawk in flight in the usual centre-of-the-fly position, is still very much in use and that in fact he marched behind it in a parade in Romsey (a town a few miles from here) last Sunday.
Secondly, he advised me of the status of the ROC Ensign which is again an air-force blue ensign bearing a fly badge. The ROC badge includes an Elizabethan fire-watcher - these were the men who looked out for the Spanish Armada in 1588 and lit beacon fires to alert the Royal Navy of its approach.) This flag remains an official British flag as the ROC still exists - although only on paper at the present time.
Neville also mentioned that the Royal Observer Corps Association, which is the grouping for former ROC members, has ceremonial flags of its own. The national ensign of the Association is "almost identical" to the ROC Ensign. Unfortunately I did not have time to ask in what way it differs, but I would be willing to bet it probably follows the practice of other ex-servicemen's association flags such as those of the Royal British Legion and the Royal Naval Association by having a much more nearly square field, rather than the 1:2 of most British flags. Neville also mentioned that area branches of the ROC Association parade behind dark blue flags bearing the firewatcher emblem in silver.
Roy Stilling, 11 February 1998
Some extracts about flags from Air Ministry Orders.Distinguishing Flags and Lamps were introduced by AMO 782/18 on 2 August 1918.The flags, for use by day, were the same as the present flags, the lamps, for use by night, were square.Air Vice Marshall. Dark Blue, over Light Blue, over Red.Air Commodore. Dark Blue over Red.Group Captain. Dark Blue to left of Red.Wing Commander. Dark Blue over Red. Tilted to make a diamond shape.Squadron Leader. Dark Blue.AMO 10/20. Use of White Ensign. A22216. 1 January 1920.1. The use of the White ensign is reserved exclusively for H.M.Ships. The White ensign is not to be flown at any Royal Air Force station or by any Royal Air Force unit.2. The question of a special ensign for the Royal Air Force is still under consideration.AMO 600/20. Signal Flags etc.. for Marine Craft. 154352/20. 1 July 1920.For 50 foot Motor Boats and Power Driven Lighters.International and Naval Code. No.6 size. Nos. 601 to 669. One Set.Flags, Union. 3 breadth. 1.5 yards by 0.75 yards. One.Seems surprising to include a Union Flag.AMO 1130/20. R.A.F.Ensign.Paras 1 - 3. Detail how it should be flown, and on what sort of flag staff. Para 4. Royal Air Force Ensign is to be hoisted daily at the Headquarters of the force, Headquarters of area and independent commands, from airships, and at stations and units given in the appendix to this Order.Since it mentions airships, but not marine craft, it was presumably not used at sea at that time.AMO 599/48. Designation of Royal Air Force Marine Craft. A909870/47/S7(a). 22 July 1948.1. H.M. the King has approved the designation His Majesty's Air Force Vessel, for all ocean-going ships and sea-going craft of the 68 foot launch class commanded by a RAF officer and manned by RAF personnel in uniform.2. This designation is to be used whenever reference is made to such vessels in official publications, correspondence etc. 3. His Majesty's Air Force Vessels will fly the RAF ensign in accordance with King's Regulations article 156(9).David Prothero, 11 December 2003

RAF Yacht Club
Ensign
by Jose C. Alegria Diaz
Burgee
by Jose C. Alegria Diaz
The Royal Air Force Yacht Club, U.K. of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The burgee of the Royal Air Force Yacht Club is flown with a (dark) blue ensign with a crowned flying eagle in gold in the fly.Miles Li, 23 April 2003
Use of the US flag and RAF ensign at US Air Force bases in Britain
6 August 1965. Air Attaché, US Embassy, London, to Ministry of Defence.In accordance with AFM 900-2, 1 August 1961, para 28, the following policy concerning the display of the United States flag and the Royal Air Force ensign at United States Air Force installations in Great Britain is established.
The United States flag and the Royal Air Force ensign when flown side by side will be of approximately the same size.
The flags are to be flown from flag staffs of precisely the same height and level.
When both United States flag and the Royal Air Force ensign are flown at military installations, both will be raised and lowered simultaneously.
The United States flag will be flown on the left hand side of the saluting base as seen from the parade ground.
On ceremonial occasions with band and British dignitaries present, the British National Anthem will be played first with the raising of the Royal Air Force ensign.
When a band is present for the lowering of flags, the United States flag will be lowered first.
On ceremonial occasions when United States military forces only are involved the Royal Air Force ensign should be raised before the ceremony so that the United States National Anthem only is played while the United States flag is being raised or lowered.
On occasions when it is appropriate to fly the United States flag at half staff the Royal Air Force ensign will be flown in a like manner. Similar courtesy will be accorded the Royal Air Force ensign under like circumstances.
[National Archives (PRO) AIR 2/18233]David Prothero, 20 February 2004

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-raf.html

British air force helicopter crashes, 12 injured

LONDON (AP) -- A British air force helicopter crashed late Wednesday near an army base in northern England, and twelve people were taken to hospitals, officials said.
Some were very seriously injured and other were "walking wounded," Royal Air Force spokesman Michael Mulford said. He said everyone on board was accounted for.
A total of twelve people were taken to various nearby hospitals by Royal Air Force Sea King helicopters and ambulance after the helicopter crashed in a wooded area near the Catterick Garrison in North East Yorkshire, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) north of London, Mulford told British Broadcasting Corp. television.
The helicopter was helping the army as part of a maneuver training exercise at Catterick, the site of the army's Infantry Training Center, Mulford said.
"We train there with the army and have done for many many years," he said.
Air Force helicopters were scrambled from nearby bases and arrived at the scene within ten minutes of the time the helicopter crashed in a densely wooded area just before 9 p.m. (2000GMT), he said.
A board of inquiry would begin investigating the cause of the accident as soon as possible, Mulford said. The military was contacting the families of those army and air force personnel hurt in the crash, he added.
"The board of inquiry will start work ... through the night or certainly tomorrow, and they will take as long as it takes to work their way through and determine what happened here," he said
http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/World/Story/A1Story20070809-21370.html

Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force

The air forces of the United Kingdom. The successor to the Royal Flying Corps, the RAF was created in 1918 and played a major role in the defense of Britain and the defeat of the Axis Powers in World War II. Perhaps its best known element was Fighter Command, which successfully defended against the German Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain in the summer and fall of 1940.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Royal Air Force Top

Armed service charged with the air defense of Britain and other international defense obligations. It originated in 1911, when an air battalion of the Royal Engineers was formed with one balloon and one airplane company. The air battalion was assumed into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1912, and in 1918 the RFC and Royal Naval Air Services were merged into the RAF. (The Fleet Air Arm was returned to the Royal Navy in 1937.) The Royal Air Force College was established at Cranwell, Lincolnshire, in 1920 and the RAF Staff College at Andover, Hampshire, in 1922. During World War II, pilots of the RAF Fighter Command distinguished themselves in the Battle of Britain, and Bomber Command conducted massive bombing raids on the German homeland. All front-line units are now combined under the RAF Strike Command; Personnel and Training Command handles recruiting, training, pensions, and other personnel issues. Uniformed RAF personnel numbered some 48,000 at the start of the 21st century.

British History: Royal Air Force

The RAF was formed in April 1918 when the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated to improve co-ordination. After the armistice the new force was drastically reduced, falling to less than 50 aircraft in 1922 for home defence. It also struggled for its independent existence against the army and navy, defended by Lord Trenchard. Even so, the RNAS was resurrected in 1924 as the Fleet Air Arm, jointly administered until 1937 when it was handed over to the navy. A cadet college was opened at Cranwell in 1920 and a staff college at Andover in 1922. For many years the doctrine that the bomber would always get through, especially when supported by the prime minister, Baldwin, suggested that defence was useless. But the invention of radar in 1935 and the successful flights of the Hurricane (1935) and Spitfire (1936) tipped the balance back to defence.At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, the Germans had substantial but not overwhelming numerical superiority with some 4, 000 planes to Britain's 2, 000: the French air force, in poor shape, had some 1, 500. But while the British figures included sedate Gloster Gladiators and Hawker Furies (not very furious with a top speed of 223 m.p.h. and introduced in 1931), the Luftwaffe had been completely re-equipped after Hitler's rise to power.A major problem for the Royal Air Force was its growing commitments, especially after the entry of Italy (1940) and Japan (1941) extended the war to north Africa and the Pacific. From the fall of France in May 1940 the role of the RAF was essentially defensive. During the Battle of Britain its resources were severely stretched, even more in trained aircrew than in machines, with the life expectation for fighter pilots down to four or five weeks. On 8 August 1940, Goering issued an order to ‘wipe the British Air Force from the sky’. But his first surprise was that the Stuka dive-bombers, which had spread terror in Poland and France, proved slow and vulnerable to Spitfires and Hurricanes. The Royal Air Force was not destroyed, Goering switched to softer targets with raids on British cities, and operation Sealion, the invasion of Britain, was called off.The counter-offensive could now develop. The strategic issue became whether a massive bombing campaign could pound Germany into surrender without the need for a bloody invasion. The great proponent of that view was ‘Bomber’ Harris. In June 1942 he mustered a scratch force of just over 1, 000 aircraft (including training personnel) for a demonstration onslaught on Cologne, and followed up his success with a memo against ‘the disastrous policy of military intervention in land campaigns of Europe’. But the evidence is dubious. Churchill pointed out that civilian morale is often surprisingly resilient under intolerable suffering and aircraft losses were heavy. Bomber Command lost 55, 000 men during the war—more, it has been said, than all the officers killed in the First World War. Until the end of 1944 German production of tanks, guns, and fighter aircraft continued to increase, with factories camouflaged and dispersed.Since the end of the Second World War, the Royal Air Force has taken part in a number of campaigns—the Berlin Airlift of 1948/9 when 147 planes flew more than 63, 000 sorties; the Suez operation in 1956 when Egyptian airfields were bombed; the Falklands War of 1982 when the possession of Ascension Island was critical and air cover was provided largely by ship-borne Harriers; and the Gulf War of 1990 when the Tornado squadron in its low-level attacks had a bad first week. But its main tasks since the 1950s were to carry the British nuclear deterrent in the V-bomber force and to retain operational efficiency in the face of shrinking resources

Wings
Main article: List of Royal Air Force Wings
A wing is either an operational sub-division of a group or an administrative sub-division of an RAF station.
Independent Wings are a grouping of two or more squadrons, either flying squadrons or ground support squadrons. In former times, numbered flying wings have existed, but more recently they have only been created when required. For example during Operation Telic, Tornado GR4 wings were formed to operate from Ali Al Salem and Al Udeid air bases and the Tornado F3 equipped Luechars Fighter Wing at Prince Sultan Air Base; each of these were made up of aircraft and crews from several squadrons.

Phased Array Ballistic Missile Early Warning System at RAF Fylingdales.
On 31 March 2006, the RAF formed nine Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs) in order to support operations. They have been established at the nine main operating bases; RAF Coningsby, RAF Cottesmore, RAF Kinloss, RAF Leeming, RAF Leuchars, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Lyneham, RAF Marham and RAF Waddington numbered Nos 121, 122, 325, 135, 125, 140, 38, 138 and 34 EAWs respectively. These units are commanded by a group captain who is also the parent unit's Station Commander. The EAW comprises the non-formed unit elements of the station that are required to support a deployed operating base, i.e. the command and control, logistics and administration functions amongst others. They are designed to be flexible and quickly adaptable for differing operations. They are independent of flying squadrons, Air Combat Support Units (ACSU) and Air Combat Service Support Units (ACSSU) who are attached to the EAW depending on the task it has been assigned.[13]
A wing is also an administrative sub-division of an RAF station. Historically, for a flying station these were normally Operations Wing, Engineering Wing and Administration Wing and each wing was commanded by an officer of wing commander rank. In the 21st century, new names have been used on stations such as Forward Support Wing, Base Support Wing and Logistics Wing etc.

Squadrons
Main article: List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons
A flying squadron is an aircraft unit which carries 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 based, which aircraft they are operating, etc. They can be awarded standards and battle honours for meritorious service. Whilst every squadron is different, most flying squadrons are commanded by a wing commander and, for a fast-jet squadron, have an establishment of around 100 personnel and 12 aircraft, but 16 aircraft for Tornado F3 Squadrons.
The term squadron can be used to refer to a sub-unit of an administrative wing or small RAF station, e.g. Air Traffic Control Squadron, Personnel Management Squadron etc. There are also Ground Support Squadrons, e.g.No 2 (Mechanical Transport) Squadron which is located at RAF Wittering. Administrative squadrons are normally commanded by a squadron leader.

Flights
See also: List of Royal Air Force independent flights
A flight is a sub-division of a squadron. Flying squadrons are often divided into two flights, eg "A" and "B" each under the command of a squadron leader. Administrative squadrons on a station are also divided into flights and these flights are commanded by a junior officer, often a flight lieutenant.
Due to their small size, there are several flying units formed as flights rather than squadrons. For example No. 1435 Flight is based at RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands, maintaining air defence cover with 4 Panavia Tornado F3 aircraft.

RAF Personnel

RAF Squadron Leader handles an M60 7.62 mm Machine Gun during a demonstration at the Combat Arms Training and Maintenance
In 2007 the RAF employed 40,370 active duty personnel , 1,450 RAF Volunteer Reserves and 3,400 regular reservists.[14] At its height (1944) during the Second World War, in excess of 1,100,000 personnel were serving at any one time. The only founding member of the RAF still living is Henry Allingham at age 112.[15]
See also: List of Royal Air Force members and Comparative military ranks

Officers
Main article: RAF officer ranks
Officers hold a commission from the Sovereign, which provides the legal authority for them to issue orders to subordinates. The commission of a regular officer is granted after successfully completing the 32-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire. Other officers also train at RAF Cranwell, but on different courses, such as professionally qualified officers.
The titles and insignia of RAF officers were chiefly derived from those used by the Royal Navy, specifically the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. RAF officers fall into three categories: air officers, senior officers and junior officers.

Other ranks
Main article: RAF other ranks
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.
The titles and insignia of other ranks in the RAF 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 and the ranks of Chief Technician and Junior Technician continue to be held only by personnel in technical trades. RAF other ranks fall into four categories: Warrant Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, Junior Non-Commissioned Officers and Airmen.

Branches and Trades
RAF Pilots and Weapon Systems Officers (WSO) (formerly known as Navigators) are commissioned officers on the General Duties List.
Non-commissioned (NCO) Aircrew known as Weapons System Operators (WSOp), fulfil the specialist roles of air engineer (E), air electronics operator (AEOp), air loadmaster (ALM) and air signaller (S). Though they are now known collectively as weapon systems operators, individual trade specialisations remain.
The majority of the members of the RAF serve in support roles on the ground.
RAF Regiment Officers and Gunners in the defend RAF airfields from attack. They have infantry and light armoured units to protect against ground attack.
RAF Intelligence Officers and Intelligence Analysts of RAF Intelligence support all operational activities by providing timely and accurate indicators & warnings. They conduct detailed all source military intelligence fusion and analysis by utilising classified and open source information including imagery, human and communications (signals) intelligence. Intelligence is used to inform commanders of the assessed capabilities and intentons of the enemy for strategic / operational planning and targeting. They also tailor the information to brief aircrews for mission planning and other tactical units (such as RAF Regiment) for Force Protection.
RAF Police are the military police of the RAF.
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, vehicles, ground support equipment, etc.
Fighter Controllers (FC) and Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), control RAF and NATO aircraft from the ground. The FC control the interception of enemy aircraft while the ATC provide air traffic services at RAF stations and to the majority of en-route military aircraft in UK airspace.
Administrative Officers and associated Pers Admin trades are involved with human resources management, training management, physical education, catering, infrastructure management, accounts, dress and discipline, personnel and recruitment.
Royal Air Force chaplains are trained by the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre at Amport House.
Royal Air Force Medical Branch provides healthcare at home and on deployed operations, including aeromedical evacuation services. Medical officers are the doctors of the RAF and have specialist expertise in aviation medicine to support aircrew and their protective equipment. Medical officers can go on aeromedical evacuations, providing vital assistance on search-and-rescue missions or emergency relief flights worldwide.
RAF Legal Branch provides legal advice on discipline / criminal law and operations law.
Reserves
RAuxAF] and RAF Volunteer Reserve personnel fullfil a number of specialist roles in ground roles including Operations, Intelligence and RAF Regiment in support of the regular RAF.
RAF Volunteer Reserve(Training) are responsible for the management and operation of the Air Training Corps, Volunteer Gliding Squadrons, Air Experience Flights, University Air Squadron and the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme.

Specialist Training and Education
The Royal Air Force operates several units and centers for the provision of non-generic training and education. These include the Royal Air Force Leadership Centre and the Royal Air Force Centre for Air Power Studies, both based at RAF Cranwell, and the Air Warfare Centre, based at RAF Waddington and RAF Cranwell. NCO training and developmental courses occur at RAF Halton and officer courses occur at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham.

Aircraft
Further information: List of aircraft of the RAF and List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
British military aircraft designations generally comprise a type name followed by a mark number which includes an alphabetical rôle prefix. For example, the Tornado F3 is designated as a fighter by the 'F', and is the third variant of the type to be produced.

Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft

Tornado GR4

Harrier GR7
The mainstay of the offensive support fleet is the Tornado GR4. This supersonic aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs and the ALARM anti-radar missile.
The Tornado is supplemented by the Harrier GR7/GR7A which is used in the strike and close air support roles, and to counter enemy air defences. The Harrier is being upgraded to GR9/GR9A standard with newer systems and more powerful Rolls Royce Pegasus engines. The Harrier GR9 was formally accepted into RAF service in late September 2006.
The Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4, has from June 2008 achieved the required standard for multi-role operational deployment.[16]

Air defence and airborne early warning aircraft

Eurofighter Typhoon F2

Tornado F3
The Tornado F3 and Eurofighter Typhoon F2 are the RAF's air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Coningsby respectively. Their task is to defend the UK’s airspace. In October 2007 it was announced that RAF Boscombe Down will become a quick reaction alert airbase from early 2008, offering around the clock fighter coverage for the South and South West of UK airspace.[17]
The Tornado, in service in the air defence role since the late 1980s, is being replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon F2, based at RAF Coningsby. The RAF's second operational Typhoon unit, 11 Sqn, reformed on 29 March 2007, joining 3 Sqn, also based at RAF Coningsby.
The Sentry AEW1, based at RAF Waddington , provides airborne early warning to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Both the Sentry and the Tornado F3 have been involved in recent operations including over Iraq and the Balkans.

Reconnaissance aircraft
The Tornado GR4A is fitted with cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum.
The Nimrod R1 provides electronic and signals intelligence.
The new Sentinel R1 (also know as ASTOR – Airborne STand-Off Radar) provides a ground radar-surveillance platform based on the Bombardier Global Express long range business jet. These will be supplemented in 2009 by four Beechcraft Shadow R1 aircraft equipped for the ISTAR role over Afganistan.[18]
A pair of MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned aerial vehicles have been purchased to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are operated by No. 39 Squadron RAF. A third MQ-9 is in the process of being purchased.[19]

Sentry AEW1

Nimrod R1

Sentinel R1

MQ-9 Reaper

Support helicopters
An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the British Army by ferrying troops and equipment at the battlefield. However, RAF helicopters are also used in a variety of other roles, including support of RAF ground units and heavy-lift support for the Royal Marines. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC), along with helicopters of the British Army and Royal Navy.
The large twin-rotor Chinook HC2/HC2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy-lift support and is supported by the Merlin HC3 and the smaller Puma HC1 medium-lift helicopters, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove.
It was announced in March 2007 that the RAF will take delivery of six additional Merlins. The aircraft were originally ordered by Denmark and six new aircraft will be built for Denmark. It was also announced that eight Chinook HC3s, that are in storage, will be modified for the battlefield support role.

Merlin HC3

Chinook HC2

Puma HC1

Maritime patrol

Nimrod MRA4
The Nimrod MR2's primary role is that of Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare. The Nimrod MR2 is additionally used in a Search and Rescue role, where its long range and communications facilities allow it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It can also drop pods containing life rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea.

Transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft
Having replaced the former Queen's Flight in 1995, 32 (The Royal) Squadron uses the BAe 125 CC3, Agusta A109 and BAe 146 CC2 in the VIP transport role, based at RAF Northolt, just west of London.
More routine, strategic airlift transport tasks are carried out by the Tristars and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton, for passengers and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling of other aircraft.
Shorter range, tactical-airlift transport is provided by the Hercules, the fleet including both older C-130K (Hercules C1/C3) and newer C-130J (Hercules C4/C5) variants, based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
The RAF has leased four C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Boeing to provide a heavy, strategic airlift capability. These will be purchased, as well a fifth C-17 delivered on 7 April 2008. A sixth aircraft, which the MoD announced would bolster operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, [3] was delivered on 8 June 2008. The new aircraft have entered frontline use within days rather than weeks. The MoD has said "there is a stated departmental requirement for eight" C-17s which means the next two would be delivered before mid-2009 when the Globemaster production line may be closed.

C-17 Globemaster III

Hercules C3

Tristar K1

VC-10 C1K

Search and rescue aircraft
Main article: RAF Search and Rescue Force

Sea King HAR3A
Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of military search and rescue; the rescuing of aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR3A in the UK and 84 Sqn with the Griffin HAR2 in Cyprus.
Although established with a primary role of military search and rescue, most of their operational missions are spent in their secondary role of conducting civil search and rescue; that is, the rescue of civilians from at sea, on mountains and other locations.
Both rescue roles are shared with the Sea King helicopters of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, while the civil search and rescue role is also shared with the helicopters of HM Coastguard.
The Operational Conversion Unit is 203 (Reserve) Squadron RAF based at RAF Valley equipped with the Sea King HAR3.
The related Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service comprises four teams of trained mountaineers stationed in the mainland United Kingdom, first established in 1943.

Training aircraft

BAE Hawk

Short Tucano training aircraft in display colours
Elementary flying training is conducted on the Tutor T1. The Tutor is also used, along with the Viking T1 and Vigilant T1 gliders, to provide air experience training and basic pilot training for air cadets.
Basic pilot training for fixed-wing and helicopter pilots is provided on the Tucano T1 and Squirrel HT1, while weapon systems officer and weapon systems operator training is conducted in the Dominie T1.
Advanced flying training for fast-jet, helicopter and multi-engine pilots is provided using the Hawk T1, Griffin HT1 and B200 King Air respectively. At the more advanced stage in training, variants of front-line aircraft have been adapted for operational conversion of trained pilots; these include the Harrier T10 and Typhoon T1.

Future aircraft
See also: Future of the Royal Air Force

The UK plans to order 138 F-35s
The RAF is planning for the introduction of new aircraft. These include:
The Nimrod MR2 fleet is to be replaced by nine aircraft rebuilt to Nimrod MRA4 standard. Originally scheduled to be in service in 2003, these aircraft are now expected to enter service in late 2010.
The Airbus A400M, of which 25 are to be used to replace the remaining Hercules C-130Ks.[20]
An enhanced version of the Chinook, the HC3, with improved avionics and increased range for special forces missions, was ordered in 1995. Due to technical and project management problems, these aircraft have not yet entered service, they are still in storage, but are now due to be downgraded to Support Helicopter configuration and deployed by 2009.
The Hawk 128 will replace the existing Hawks in service; the newer model being more similar in equipment and performance to modern front line aircraft.
The ageing aerial refuelling fleet of VC10s and Tristars will be replaced with the Airbus A330 MRTT under the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme.
The F-35B Lightning II will replace the Harrier GR7 and GR9 under the Joint Combat Aircraft programme.
Project Taranis aiming to provide further Strategic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle services in both ground attack and reconnaissance roles.
A possible sale or lease of three former United States Air Force KC-135R aircraft, converted to RC-135V/W Rivet Joint standard, has been notified to the United States Congress by the American Defense Security Cooperation Agency.[21]

Post-war RAF deployments
Country
Dates
Deployment
Details
Indonesia
2005
Support and transport
RAF dispatched to South East Asia following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake disaster to provide aid relief support
Lithuania
2004
Baltic Air Policing
4 Tornado F3 for a 3 months rotation under NATO monitoring mission
Afghanistan
2001–
Operation Veritas
Chinooks provided airlift support to coalition forces. Since late 2004 six Harriers have provided reconnaissance and close air support to the ISAF. The Harriers will be replaced by an equivalent force of Tornados GR4 in spring 2009.[22]
Bosnia
1995–
Various helicopters
RAF enforced no-fly zones over the Balkans in the late 1990s and participated in the NATO interventions in Bosnia and Kosovo. Today, RAF helicopters remain to provide support to the United Nations.
Middle East
1990–
Various
RAF fighters based in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait prior to and during the 1990 Gulf War, and later to enforce no-fly zones over Iraq. Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the occupation of southern Iraq by British Forces, the RAF is deployed at Basra. SH is provided in Iraq by Merlin, Puma and Chinook
Falkland Islands
1984–
RAF Mount Pleasant
Built after the Falklands War to allow a fighter and transport facility on the islands, and to strengthen the defence capacity of the British Forces. A detachment of RAF Regiment provides anti-aircraft support.
Ascension Island
1981–
Ascension Island Base
Used as an air bridge between the UK and the Falkland Islands. United States Air Force also stationed at this base.
Norway
1960s–
Bardufoss Air Station
RAF fighter and/or helicopter squadrons undergo winter-training here most years.
Cyprus Malta
1956
RAF Akrotiri RAF Nicosia RAF Luqa RAF Hal Far
Operation Musketeer also known as the Suez crisis.
Kenya
1953–1955
RAF Eastleigh
Anti-Mau Mau operations by Avro Lincoln squadrons
Malaya
1948–1960
RAF Tengah RAF Butterworth
Operation Firedog
West Germany
1948–1949
Various
Originally Operation Knicker and Carter-Paterson became Operation Plainfare (supporting the Berlin Airlift)
Canada
1940s–
RAF Unit Goose Bay, Canada
RAF aircraft train in low-level tactical flying at CFB Goose Bay, a NATO air force base of the Canadian Air Force.
Gibraltar
1940s–
RAF Gibraltar
No permanently stationed aircraft. RAF aircraft, e.g. Hercules transports, make regular visits.
[23]
Symbols, flags, emblems and uniform

Royal Air Force Ensign

Queen's Colour
Further information: Royal Air Force roundels and Royal Air Force uniform
Following the tradition of the other British fighting services, the RAF has adopted symbols to represent it and act as a rallying point for its members.
The RAF Ensign is flown from the flagstaff on every RAF station during daylight hours. The design was approved by King George V in 1921, after much opposition from the Admiralty, who have the right to approve or veto any flag flown ashore or on board ship.
British aircraft in the early stages of the First World War carried the Union Flag as an identifying feature, however this was easy to confuse with Germany's Iron Cross motif. Therefore in October 1914 the French system of three concentric rings was adopted, with the colours reversed to a red disc surrounded by a white ring and an outer blue ring. The relative sizes of the rings have changed over the years and during World War II an outer yellow ring was added. Aircraft serving in the Far East during World War II had the red disc removed to prevent confusion with Japanese aircraft. Since the 1970s, camouflaged aircraft carry low-visibility roundels, either red and blue on dark camouflage, or washed-out pink and light blue on light colours. Most uncamouflaged training and transport aircraft retain the traditional red-white-blue roundel.

Badge of the Royal Air Force
The Latin motto of the RAF, "Per Ardua ad Astra", is usually translated as "Through Adversity to the Stars", [24][25] but the RAF's official translation is "Through Struggle to the Stars".[26] The choice of motto is attributed to a junior officer named J S Yule, in response to a request from a commander of the RFC, Colonel Sykes, for suggestions.
The Badge of the Royal Air Force was first used in August 1918. In heraldic terms it is: "In front of a circle inscribed with the motto Per Ardua Ad Astra and ensigned by the Imperial Crown an eagle volant and affronty Head lowered and to the sinister."[25] It was registered at the College of Arms on 26 January 1923.[24] It was based on a design by a tailor at Gieves Ltd of Savile Row. Although there have been debates among airmen over the years whether the bird was originally meant to be an albatross or an eagle, the consensus is that it was always an eagle. [27]
Since 2006 the RAF has adopted a new official logotype, shown at the top of this article. The logotype is used on all correspondence and publicity material, and aims to provide the service with a single, universally-recognizable brand identity.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Royal Air Force

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Aircraft of the air force of the United Kingdom

Royal Air Force portal
List of RAF stations
Air Training Corps (Air Cadets)
List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy
Royal Air Forces of the Commonwealth:
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) began as Australian Flying Corps, then Australian Air Force
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF)
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) – began as New Zealand Permanent Air Force
The Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) – began as Air Wing of the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) – started as Royal Flying Corps of Canada, then as Canadian Air Force
Note: In 1968 the RCAF was amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Army to form initially the Canadian Armed Forces, then the Canadian Forces (CF) as the Canadian Forces Air Command
Non-Commonwealth Royal Air Forces
The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF)
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNlAF)
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF)
The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF)
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)
The Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO)

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