Royal Air Force Air Command

Royal Air Force Air Command. It is the single command of the Royal Air Force, formed on 1 April 2007 by merging Strike Command and Personnel and Training Command. Headquartered at RAF High Wycombe, it is responsible for generating and operating all of the RAF's front-line aircraft and for providing trained personnel. The command oversees all of the service's operational flying, including Quick Reaction Alert duties, and plays a central role in national and NATO defence.

History

The creation of Air Command followed the Strategic Defence Review and the subsequent New Chapter addendum, which sought to streamline the British Armed Forces for post-Cold War operations. It merged the UK's two principal RAF commands: the operationally focused Strike Command, itself a 1968 amalgamation of Fighter Command, Bomber Command, and others, and the support-oriented Personnel and Training Command. This consolidation mirrored similar reforms within the British Army and the Royal Navy, such as the creation of Fleet Command. Since its inception, Air Command has directed the RAF's involvement in major conflicts including the War in Afghanistan, the 2011 military intervention in Libya, and operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Key developments under its purview have included the introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, and the retirement of aircraft like the Panavia Tornado.

Organisation

Air Command is organised into several functional groups, each headed by an air officer. The No. 1 Group is responsible for all combat aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon force and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II squadrons, and oversees the Quick Reaction Alert mission from bases like RAF Coningsby and RAF Lossiemouth. The No. 2 Group commands the RAF's support enablers, including air transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft such as the Airbus A400M Atlas and Voyager, as well as ISTAR platforms like the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail and Boeing RC-135. The No. 11 Group focuses on air and space operations, cyber warfare, and works closely with NATO and Joint Forces Command. The No. 22 Group is responsible for recruiting, training, and managing personnel, operating through institutions like the RAF College Cranwell and RAF Halton.

Current structure

The current force structure under Air Command encompasses a diverse fleet of front-line aircraft and stations. Combat air power is provided by Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons based at RAF Coningsby, RAF Lossiemouth, and RAF Mount Pleasant, with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II operating from RAF Marham and the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Air mobility is centred on RAF Brize Norton, home to the Airbus A400M Atlas, Voyager, and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules fleets. Intelligence and surveillance are conducted by the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, Boeing RC-135, and the Beechcraft Shadow R1, while rotary-wing support includes the Westland Puma HC2 and AgustaWestland AW109. Key support stations include RAF Waddington for ISTAR, RAF Valley for fast-jet training, and RAF Leeming as a support hub.

Commanders-in-Chief

The professional head of Air Command holds the title of Commander-in-Chief, a post held by a serving Air Chief Marshal. The inaugural commander was Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, a former Chief of the Air Staff and veteran of the Gulf War. He was succeeded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, who oversaw operations during the 2011 military intervention in Libya. Subsequent commanders have included Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, who previously served as Deputy Commander of NATO's Allied Air Command, and Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, who led the command during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan. The current commander is Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, who took up the post in 2023.

Role and responsibilities

The primary role of Air Command is to generate and project combat-ready air and space power for the United Kingdom and its allies. This includes maintaining a continuous Quick Reaction Alert to protect UK airspace, often in coordination with NATO partners. The command provides strategic and tactical airlift for the British Army and other services, and delivers air-to-air refuelling for national and allied aircraft. It is responsible for the UK's military satellite communications and contributes to space domain awareness and ballistic missile defence through partnerships with the United States Space Command and other agencies. Furthermore, Air Command leads the RAF's contribution to global counter-terrorism operations, humanitarian disaster relief, and supports United Nations peacekeeping missions.

Category:Royal Air Force commands