Royal Air Force College

Royal Air Force College. The Royal Air Force College is the institution responsible for initial officer training and aircrew selection for the Royal Air Force. Located at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, it has been the RAF's premier officer training establishment since its formation in the aftermath of the First World War. The College's motto, Superna Petimus, reflects its enduring mission to develop leaders for the world's oldest independent air force.

History

The origins of the College date to 1915, when the site at Cranwell was selected for the Royal Naval Air Service's training base. Following the creation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, the first commandant, Air Commodore Charles Longcroft, formally opened the Royal Air Force College in 1919. It was established as the world's first air academy, predating institutions like the United States Air Force Academy. During the Second World War, the College's training output was massively expanded to meet the demands of campaigns such as the Battle of Britain and the Combined Bomber Offensive. Post-war, it continued to evolve, integrating advanced jet aircraft into its syllabus and later becoming the home of the Central Flying School and the No. 3 Flying Training School.

Organisation and structure

The College is commanded by the Commandant of the Royal Air Force College, a senior officer typically holding the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. It falls under the administrative and operational command of No. 22 Group within RAF Air Command. Key constituent units include the Officer and Aircrew Training Unit, which conducts initial officer training, and the No. 6 Flying Training School, responsible for elementary flying instruction. The College also hosts the Royal Air Force Gliding & Soaring Association and works closely with the University of Lincoln on accredited academic programmes.

Training

The College delivers the 24-week Initial Officer Training course, which instills leadership, military skills, and fitness, culminating in the graduation parade where cadets receive their commissions from a reviewing officer such as the Chief of the Air Staff. For aircrew, the College oversees the Multi-Engine Training System using the Beechcraft King Air and the UK Military Flying Training System which includes the Prefect T1 and Texan T1 aircraft. Specialist training branches include those for RAF Regiment officers, RAF Police, and Intelligence personnel. The ethos is heavily influenced by the values and legacy of Lord Trenchard, the "Father of the Royal Air Force".

Facilities

The historic centrepiece is the College Hall, an imposing building opened in 1934 that houses the Officers' Mess, the Trenchard Hall, and the College Archives. The airfield at RAF Cranwell features multiple runways and is home to the No. 45 Squadron and the No. 57 Squadron, which operate the Avenger T1 and Juno HT1 respectively. Other significant facilities include the Sir Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre, dedicated to the inventor of the turbojet, the RAF Centre for Air Power Studies, and extensive simulation suites for the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The St. Michael's Church serves as the station's chapel.

Notable personnel

Numerous distinguished officers have been associated with the College. Its first commandant, Charles Longcroft, was a notable World War I pilot. Perhaps its most famous graduate is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who trained there in 1939. Renowned Battle of Britain pilot Douglas Bader learned to fly at Cranwell in the late 1920s. Former Chief of the Defence Staff Marshal of the Royal Air Force Jock Stirrup was a cadet, as was the first British astronaut, Helen Sharman. Fictional alumnus James Bigglesworth, created by author W. E. Johns, also "trained" at the College, cementing its place in popular culture.

Category:Royal Air Force training Category:Military academies of the United Kingdom Category:Buildings and structures in Lincolnshire