No. 1 Wing RAF Regiment

No. 1 Wing RAF Regiment
Unit name	No. 1 Wing RAF Regiment
Dates	1942–1946; 1961–1969; 1975–1993
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	RAF Regiment Wing
Role	Airfield Defence
Garrison	RAF Catterick
Garrison label	Last Base
Battles	Second World War, Cold War

No. 1 Wing RAF Regiment was a formation of the Royal Air Force's ground-fighting corps, the RAF Regiment. Established during the Second World War, it played a key role in defending Royal Air Force airfields from ground attack, notably during the North African Campaign and the Italian Campaign. The Wing was subsequently disbanded and reformed on several occasions during the Cold War, adapting to evolving threats before its final disbandment in the post-Cold War drawdown.

History

No. 1 Wing was formed on 1 February 1942 at RAF Filey as part of the nascent RAF Regiment, which was created to protect Royal Air Force airfields from German ground and Luftwaffe airborne assault. Its initial squadrons were quickly deployed to the Middle East theatre, where it provided vital defence for Allied airbases during the pivotal North African Campaign. Following the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Allied invasion of Italy, the Wing supported Desert Air Force operations across the Italian Campaign, engaging in intense defensive actions. After VE Day, the Wing was disbanded in 1946. It was reactivated in 1961 at RAF Hullavington as part of the RAF Germany commitment, focusing on the British Army of the Rhine's Northern Army Group flank, before disbanding again in 1969. A final incarnation was established in 1975 at RAF Catterick, primarily as a training and administrative wing for RAF Regiment forces in the United Kingdom, until its ultimate disbandment in 1993 following the Options for Change defence review.

Structure and Organisation

The Wing was a headquarters unit, typically commanded by a Group Captain or Wing Commander, responsible for administering and operationally controlling several subordinate RAF Regiment squadrons. During the Second World War, its structure was fluid, often comprising multiple field squadrons and light anti-aircraft squadrons equipped with Bofors guns. In its post-war guises, particularly under RAF Germany, it commanded a rotating roster of squadrons such as No. 51 and No. 58 Squadron, which were held at high readiness. The 1975-1993 iteration functioned more as a peacetime administrative wing, overseeing the training and readiness of UK-based squadrons under the direction of No. 2 Group RAF.

Aircraft and Equipment

As a ground combat unit, the Wing did not operate aircraft. Its primary equipment throughout its history centred on infantry weapons and air defence artillery. During the Second World War, its squadrons were armed with Lee–Enfield rifles, Bren light machine guns, and 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns for defending against Stuka dive-bombers. In the Cold War era, its equipment modernised to include the SLR, the GPMG, and the Blowpipe man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS). For mobility, it utilised vehicles such as the Land Rover and later the TUM and Panther CLV.

Notable Operations

The Wing's most significant operational period was during the Second World War. It provided continuous airfield defence throughout the hard-fought North African Campaign, protecting vital Royal Air Force and USAAF bases in Egypt and Libya. It later saw intense action in the Italian Campaign, defending Allied airfields from German counter-attacks and paratrooper raids during the battles for the Gothic Line. During the Cold War, while not deployed in combat, its squadrons in RAF Germany were integral to NATO's forward defence plan, conducting frequent major NATO exercises and maintaining a constant guard on Royal Air Force stations like RAF Gütersloh and RAF Wildenrath against potential Warsaw Pact special forces attacks.

Bases and Locations

Throughout its service, the Wing was headquartered at numerous Royal Air Force stations. Its initial formation was at RAF Filey in Yorkshire. Wartime deployments took it across the Mediterranean theatre, operating from airfields in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, and mainland Italy. Its first Cold War activation was at RAF Hullavington in Wiltshire, before moving to RAF Gütersloh in West Germany. Its final and longest-standing base from 1975 was RAF Catterick in North Yorkshire, a major British Army garrison with a co-located RAF Regiment presence.

Commanding Officers

Commanding officers of the Wing included distinguished RAF Regiment officers. Early wartime commanders were often British Army officers seconded to the new corps. In the post-war era, notable commanders included Group Captain J. R. G. Sexton, who commanded during the 1960s RAF Germany period. The final commander before disbandment in 1993 was a Wing Commander from the RAF Regiment's specialist officer cadre, responsible for overseeing the unit's wind-down as part of Options for Change.

Category:Royal Air Force wings Category:RAF Regiment Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1993