No. 5 Force Protection Wing RAF

No. 5 Force Protection Wing RAF
Unit name	No. 5 Force Protection Wing
Dates	2004 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	UK
Type	Force Protection
Role	Security, Counter-Terrorism, Force protection
Size	Wing
Command structure	No. 2 Group
Garrison	RAF Lossiemouth
Garrison label	Home station

No. 5 Force Protection Wing RAF is a specialist Royal Air Force formation responsible for delivering integrated force protection across multiple operational environments. Established in the early 21st century, it commands a diverse group of RAF Police, RAF Regiment, and specialist support squadrons. The wing provides a critical security and counter-terrorism capability for Royal Air Force assets and personnel, both in the United Kingdom and on deployed operations worldwide.

History

The wing was formed in 2004 as part of a wider restructuring of the Royal Air Force's force protection posture, consolidating various specialist units under a single command. Its creation was influenced by lessons learned from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the need for robust, expeditionary base defence became paramount. Initially headquartered at RAF Honington, the wing later moved its headquarters to RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to better align with the Royal Air Force's evolving frontline order of battle, particularly supporting the Quick Reaction Alert mission for the Eurofighter Typhoon. Throughout its existence, it has been a key component of No. 2 Group, the Royal Air Force's expeditionary combat support group.

Organisation

Organisationally, the wing functions as a wing-level headquarters, providing command and control for its subordinate squadrons. It is led by a Wing Commander, supported by a staff drawn from the RAF Police, the RAF Regiment, and other support trades. The wing’s structure is designed to be agile, capable of generating tailored force protection packages that can deploy at short notice. It maintains close working relationships with other Royal Air Force formations, such as No. 1 Group, and with joint partners including the British Army and the Royal Navy.

Role and responsibilities

The primary role is to command, coordinate, and deliver force protection for Royal Air Force installations, personnel, and operations. This encompasses a wide spectrum of duties including physical and perimeter security, personal security details, terrorist threat mitigation, and protective security for deployed air assets. Its personnel are trained to operate in high-threat environments, providing security for airfields during overseas operations and contributing to national resilience tasks within the United Kingdom. The wing’s expertise is integral to safeguarding critical national infrastructure like Main Operating Bases during heightened security states.

Current units

The wing’s current order of battle includes several frontline and specialist units. Key elements include No. 5 Squadron RAF Regiment, which operates the Mastiff protected patrol vehicle and provides a dedicated field squadron capability. The RAF Police contribution is led by the specialist No. 3 RAF Police Squadron, which focuses on counter-intelligence, cyber security, and investigative support. Other assigned units provide vital functions such as military working dog support, secure communications, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defence.

Previous units

Over its history, the wing has commanded several units that have since been disbanded, reorganised, or reassigned. This has included various RAF Regiment field squadrons that were stood down following the conclusion of major combat operations in Afghanistan. Previous RAF Police units under its command have also been amalgamated or their functions absorbed into other squadrons as part of periodic defence reviews, such as the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010. The wing’s structure remains adaptable to reflect the changing threat landscape and the directives of Air Command.

Notable operations

Personnel from the wing’s constituent units have deployed on virtually every major Royal Air Force operation since its formation. This includes sustained force protection duties at Camp Bastion and Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan throughout Operation Herrick. The wing has also provided security elements for Royal Air Force detachments across the Middle East, including in Oman, the UAE, and Cyprus. Domestically, it has played a significant role in bolstering security for national events and during periods of elevated threat, supporting the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other civil authorities under Military Aid to the Civil Authorities protocols.

Category:Royal Air Force wings Category:Royal Air Force Regiment Category:Royal Air Force Police Category:Military units and formations established in 2004