Air Command (United Kingdom)

Air Command (United Kingdom) is the sole command of the Royal Air Force, formed in 2007 to consolidate all operational and support functions under a single headquarters. It is responsible for generating and deploying the UK's air and space power, overseeing operations from RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. The command directs a wide range of activities, including Quick Reaction Alert duties, overseas combat missions, and support to Royal Navy and British Army operations.

History

The formation of Air Command on 1 April 2007 followed the strategic defence review known as the Future Force 2020 initiative, which sought to streamline the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom). It replaced the previous command structure, which included separate RAF Strike Command and RAF Personnel and Training Command, merging their functions to improve efficiency. This reorganisation was influenced by lessons from post-Cold War conflicts such as the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the Iraq War, demanding a more agile and integrated air force. The command's creation was formally announced by the then Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom), Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy.

Organisation

Air Command is organised into several functional groups, each headed by a senior officer reporting to the Commander Air Command. The primary formations are No. 1 Group (RAF), responsible for combat air operations, and No. 2 Group (RAF), which oversees air mobility, RAF Intelligence, and RAF Force Protection. Support functions are managed by No. 22 Group (RAF), handling training and recruitment, while No. 11 Group (RAF) focuses on UK Air Defence and Space Command (United Kingdom) operations. The command's structure is designed to enable joint operations with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and the British Army's Army Air Corps.

Responsibilities

The command's core responsibility is to generate and project combat-ready air power for national and NATO defence, maintaining the UK Air Defence network through Quick Reaction Alert stations like RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby. It plans and executes global air operations, including airstrikes, air transport, aerial refueling, and ISTAR missions, often in support of allies such as the United States Air Force. Additional duties include providing RAF Search and Rescue capabilities, supporting United Nations peacekeeping missions, and overseeing the UK's military space operations through the RAF's Space Command (United Kingdom).

Commanders

The position of Commander Air Command is held by a senior Air Chief Marshal. The inaugural commander was Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, who also served as Chief of the Air Staff (United Kingdom). He was succeeded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton in 2009, followed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford in 2013. Subsequent commanders have included Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston. The current commander, as of 2023, is Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who previously served as the Deputy Commander (Operations) at Allied Air Command.

Component units

Air Command's operational power is delivered through its component units, which include fast-jet squadrons flying the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Key flying units are No. 1 Squadron RAF, No. 9 Squadron RAF, and No. 617 Squadron RAF, alongside vital support formations like No. 10 Squadron RAF operating Airbus Voyager tankers and No. 8 Squadron RAF flying Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AEW aircraft. The command also controls the RAF Regiment for base defence, the RAF Police, and specialist units such as No. 47 Squadron RAF for Special Forces Support Group missions.

Bases

The command's headquarters is located at RAF High Wycombe, historically known as Bentley Priory. Major operational stations include RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, home to Maritime Patrol Aircraft and Quick Reaction Alert duties, and RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, a main hub for Eurofighter Typhoon operations. Other significant bases are RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, the UK's primary air transport hub, RAF Waddington for ISTAR assets, and RAF Marham in Norfolk, which hosts the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fleet. Training is conducted at stations like RAF Valley on Anglesey and RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Category:Royal Air Force commands and groups Category:Military units and formations established in 2007 Category:2007 establishments in the United Kingdom