No. 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing

No. 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing
Unit name	No. 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing
Dates	2006 – present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Expeditionary Logistics
Role	Combat service support
Command structure	No. 1 Group
Garrison	RAF Wittering
Battles	Operation Herrick, Operation Ellamy, Operation Shader

Contents

History
Role and operations
Aircraft operated
Bases and locations
Commanding officers
See also

No. 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing is a specialist support formation within the Royal Air Force responsible for providing agile, forward-based combat support and combat service support to deployed air operations. Established in the 21st century, it is a key component of the RAF's Expeditionary Air Force concept, designed to project and sustain air power globally. The wing is headquartered at RAF Wittering and falls under the operational command of No. 1 Group.

History

The wing was formed on 1 April 2006, evolving from earlier support structures to meet the demands of modern expeditionary operations following lessons learned from conflicts like the Iraq War. Its creation formalized a dedicated RAF capability for rapidly establishing and operating forward airheads and logistics hubs in austere environments. It saw extensive service during the war in Afghanistan, where its personnel were integral to sustaining operations at Camp Bastion and Kandahar Airfield under Operation Herrick. The wing also provided critical support for RAF deployments during the 2011 military intervention in Libya (Operation Ellamy) and the ongoing campaign against ISIS (Operation Shader).

Role and operations

The primary role of the wing is to deliver essential second-line support, enabling the generation of air power from forward operating locations. This encompasses a wide range of functions including aircraft handling, ordnance and fuel management, catering services, force protection, and infrastructure support. Its personnel, drawn from the RAF's Regiment, Police, and various technical trades, are trained to deploy at short notice as part of a joint force, often alongside units from the British Army and Royal Navy. The wing operates under the Expeditionary Air Wing construct, providing the foundational support layer for deployed RAF fast jets, ISTAR, and air-to-air refueling assets.

Aircraft operated

As a logistics and support formation, the wing does not operate its own combat aircraft. However, it is responsible for supporting all aircraft types deployed on expeditionary operations. This has included providing ground support for the Typhoon, Tornado GR4, and Reaper Remotely Piloted Air Systems in combat theatres. It also sustains support aircraft vital to expeditionary missions, such as the C-130 Hercules, A400M Atlas, and the Chinook helicopter, facilitating strategic and tactical airlift.

Bases and locations

The wing is permanently based at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire, which serves as its administrative and training home. From this location, it generates expeditionary support squadrons and specialist teams for global deployment. Its operational history includes establishing and manning support facilities at numerous overseas locations, including Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Akrotiri in Cyprus, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. During the Afghanistan campaign, it maintained a persistent presence at key coalition airfields.

Commanding officers

Command of the wing is held by a senior officer, typically of Group Captain rank. Previous commanders have included officers with extensive backgrounds in RAF logistics, force protection, and engineering disciplines. The command tenure is usually aligned with the RAF's rotational cycle for key operational appointments, ensuring continuity of experience in supporting ongoing missions like Operation Shader.