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| No. 1 Expeditionary Air Wing | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | No. 1 Expeditionary Air Wing |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Type | Expeditionary wing |
| Role | Rapid deployment, expeditionary combat support, force generation |
| Size | Wing |
| Garrison | RAF Leeming |
| Garrison label | Home station |
No. 1 Expeditionary Air Wing is an expeditionary formation of the Royal Air Force established to provide rapidly deployable air power, logistics, and command-and-control for operations overseas. Formed within the context of post-Cold War force structures influenced by strategic reviews such as the Options for Change and the Strategic Defence Review, the wing integrates elements from fast-jet squadrons, support units, and joint headquarters to generate temporary air bases for coalition campaigns like Operation Telic and Operation Herrick. It acts as a conduit between fixed-station units at bases including RAF Leeming and expeditionary tasks assigned by RAF Air Command or UK joint task forces.
The wing traces its antecedents to earlier RAF expeditionary concepts developed after the Falklands War and during operations over the Gulf War (1990–1991). Reorganisation following the 1998 Strategic Defence Review and the restructuring mandated by Ministry of Defence policy accelerated the creation of deployable wings capable of supporting contingency operations such as Operation Ellamy and Operation Shader. Throughout the 2000s the wing provided force-generation for operations in the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), drawing personnel and equipment from units like No. 1 Squadron RAF, No. 6 Squadron RAF, and elements of the RAF Regiment. Modernisation initiatives influenced by alliances including NATO and coalition lessons from Operation Allied Force shaped its doctrine, command relationships with Joint Force Command Brunssum, and interoperability with partners such as the United States Air Force and the Royal Navy.
The core mission is to establish, sustain, and operate expeditionary air capability in support of UK national interests and coalition objectives. Responsibilities include deploying fast-jet combat power from platforms such as the Eurofighter Typhoon, providing force protection via the RAF Regiment, enabling air mobility through coordination with the Royal Air Force Transport Command heritage, and integrating intelligence from assets like the Royal Air Force Intelligence Branch. The wing supports operations spanning air superiority, close air support during campaigns like Operation Herrick, precision strike during Operation Shader, and humanitarian assistance after crises such as Operation Pitting. It also contributes to deterrence missions in concert with NATO rapid-reaction initiatives including the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force.
Organisationally the wing comprises deployable sub-units drawn from frontline squadrons, logistics groups, engineering flights, and headquarters elements. Command is exercised through a wing commander who liaises with expeditionary air component commanders and joint force commanders from entities such as Joint Forces Command (United Kingdom), Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, and regional coalition headquarters. Embedded specialist detachments include the RAF Police, medical squadrons from the Royal Air Force Medical Services, and communications elements interoperating with Defence Digital. The wing utilises force-generation cycles aligned to Defence Concepts stemming from documents produced by the Ministry of Defence and integrates personnel on attachment from regiments like the Royal Logistic Corps and airframes maintained by units such as No. 1 Aircraft Maintenance Unit.
Headquartered at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire, the wing operates through forward operating bases and temporary operating bases established in theatre. Deployments have included expeditionary air wings established at airfields employed during Operation Telic in Iraq and in Afghanistan supporting Camp Bastion operations. The wing has also supported forward posture activities in the Baltic States alongside RAF Coningsby and integrated with NATO air policing missions in coordination with bases used by RAF Lossiemouth. Humanitarian deployments have seen coordination with civilian entities like Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office teams and multinational partners during crises across the Middle East and East Africa.
The expeditionary wing deploys combat aircraft and support equipment aggregated from RAF fast-jet and support squadrons. Typical combat platforms associated with the wing include the Eurofighter Typhoon and previously the Panavia Tornado, while air mobility and logistics have involved aircraft from the Lockheed C-130 Hercules family and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III operated in cooperation with allied airlift. Force protection relies on small arms and support vehicles employed by the RAF Regiment, alongside engineering plant and rapidly erectable infrastructure such as deployable air traffic control towers, radar systems used by Air Surveillance and Control Systems, and expeditionary fuel systems coordinated with Defence Equipment and Support procurement frameworks.
The wing preserves RAF heraldry and traditions inherited from expeditionary wings and squadrons including ceremonial practices associated with station colours and standards held by units such as No. 1 Squadron RAF and the RAF Regiment. Insignia elements reflect RAF emblems drawing on the heraldic legacy of stations like RAF Leeming and operational badges that conform to College of Air Warfare customs. Traditions observed during deployments include operational commendations referencing honours awarded in campaigns like the Iraq War and commemorations tied to RAF anniversaries observed at locations including RAF Museum sites.
The wing played roles in major British-led and coalition operations such as Operation Telic during the Iraq War, Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, and Operation Shader against ISIL. It contributed to NATO air policing and rapid-reaction tasks during Operation Biloxi-style deployments, and supported humanitarian evacuations akin to Operation Pitting in Kabul. The wing’s deployments frequently interfaced with coalition commands from the United States Central Command and NATO headquarters, participating in combined air operations alongside the United States Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and other allied air arms to achieve theatre objectives.
Category:Royal Air Force wings