100-758: The Oxford University Air Squadron , abbreviated Oxford UAS , or OUAS , formed in 1925, is the training unit of the Royal Air Force at the University of Oxford and forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve . OUAS is one of fifteen University Air Squadrons that are spread out across Great Britain and it recruits from the universities at Oxford ( Oxford University and Oxford Brookes ) and Reading University . University Air Squadrons offer basic flying training and adventure training to undergraduates and graduates and encourage members to take up
200-670: A Private Finance Initiative with newly purchased Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW189 aircraft. The new contract means that all UK SAR coverage is now provided by Bristow aircraft. In 2018, the RAF's vision of a future constellation of imagery satellites was initiated through the launch of the Carbonite-2 technology demonstrator. The 100 kg Carbonite-2 uses commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to deliver high-quality imagery and 3D video footage from space. The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary on 1 April 2018. It marked
300-629: A wing commander and, for a fast-jet squadron, have an complement of around twelve aircraft. Independent flights are so designated because they are explicitly smaller in size than a squadron. Many independent flights are, or have been, front-line flying units. For example, No. 1435 Flight carries out air defence duties for the Falkland Islands , with four Eurofighter Typhoon fighters based at RAF Mount Pleasant . Support capabilities are provided by several specialist wings and other units. Command, control, and support for overseas operations
400-552: A career as an officer in one of the branches of the Royal Air Force. Some members of OUAS hold the title of Officer Cadet , which carries the privileges, but not the rank, of a commissioned officer, while some other members are also granted commissions in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, with the rank of Acting Pilot Officer . Officer Cadets are required to attend a minimum of one training night a week during full term, usually
500-450: A clay pigeon shoot was organized every Saturday. This grew to become a match against Cambridge UAS and eventually the squadron rented (for a nominal sum) Lord Hardcourt's shoot at Nuneham. In May 1943 the squadron marched through Oxford as part of the parade for the Wings for Victory Week and was contributing to the war effort by training ever increasing numbers on the short courses, even giving
600-683: A front-line training responsibility – their job is to group the University Air Squadrons and the Volunteer Gliding Squadrons together. The commanding officer of No. 2 FTS holds the only full-time flying appointment for a Group Captain in the RAF, and is a reservist. Avro 504 The Avro 504 is a single-engine biplane bomber made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during World War I totalled 8,970 and continued for almost 20 years, making it
700-543: A lecture by a guest speaker on an aspect of the Royal Air Force or another military unit. They are also expected to take part in two weeks of continuous training during the Long Vacation. There are also camps during all university vacations for sports, flying and adventure training. OUAS is based at RAF Benson alongside its daughter unit 6 Air Experience Flight , and is equipped with the Grob Tutor T1 . Each officer cadet
800-626: A minor role in the Korean War , with flying boats taking part. From 1953 to 1956 the RAF Avro Lincoln squadrons carried out anti- Mau Mau operations in Kenya using its base at RAF Eastleigh . The Suez Crisis in 1956 saw a large RAF role, with aircraft operating from RAF Akrotiri and RAF Nicosia on Cyprus and RAF Luqa and RAF Hal Far on Malta as part of Operation Musketeer . The RAF suffered its most recent loss to an enemy aircraft during
900-404: A new lecture hall adjoining the hangar was opened at Manor Road by Secretary of State for Air, Christopher Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson . The squadron had 10 Rhodes scholars on its strength, 2 Rugby Blues, a Rowing Blue and 2 Boxing Blues. Three members decided to make the RAF their permanent career and completed their initial training with distinction. 1930–31 These 2 years saw an increase in
1000-552: A post she was to hold for 34 years. Already around this time friendly rivalry with Cambridge University Air Squadron was starting with plans of an air navigation contest and talk of "Aerial Blues" and the athletic ability of the squadron was formidable, including such names as Hugh Edwards (rower) , the oarsmen, and his brother E C Edwards who won the King's Cup when he just left the squadron. Other early members were W Rathbone, Douglas Dodds-Parker , later Member of Parliament, and P Yorke who
1100-689: A significant role in British military history . In particular, during the Second World War , the RAF established air superiority over Nazi Germany 's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain , and led the Allied strategic bombing effort. The RAF's mission is to support the objectives of the British Ministry of Defence (MOD), which are to "provide the capabilities needed to ensure the security and defence of
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#17328558484781200-575: A single Hawker Tempest F.6 in January 1949. Before Britain developed its own nuclear weapons , the RAF was provided with American nuclear weapons under Project E . However, following the development of its own arsenal, the British Government elected on 16 February 1960 to share the country's nuclear deterrent between the RAF and submarines of the Royal Navy, first deciding to concentrate solely on
1300-612: A support enabler role. A Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Boulmer is tasked with compiling a Recognised Air Picture of UK air space and providing tactical control of the Quick Reaction Alert Force . In order to achieve this Boulmer is supported by a network of eight Remote Radar Heads (RRHs) spread the length of the UK. The UK operates permanent military airfields (known as Permanent Joint Operating Bases) in four British Overseas Territories . These bases contribute to
1400-483: A war that remained under low profile. The Konfrontasi against Indonesia in the early 1960s did see use of RAF aircraft, but due to a combination of deft diplomacy and selective ignoring of certain events by both sides, it never developed into a full-scale war. The RAF played a large role in the Aden Emergency between 1963 and 1967. Hawker Hunter FGA.9s based at RAF Khormaksar , Aden , were regularly called in by
1500-718: Is also a former member. Having originally been open only to members of the University of Oxford, in 1986 the Squadron was opened to members from the Oxford Polytechnic , which became Oxford Brookes University in 1993 and the University of Reading. The squadrons' motto is 'Αεροβατω Και Περιφρονω Τον Ηλιον' ( Greek : I walk on air and contemplate the sun. ) The unit previously flew the Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1. In 1919 Hugh Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard had
1600-948: Is also responsible for the RAF Medical Services, RAF Support Force, consisting of the RAF's engineering, logistics, intelligence, signals, musical and mountain rescue assets, RAF's Combat and Readiness Force, comprising the RAF Regiment , and the Air Security Force, comprising RAF Police . It oversees stations at RAF Benson and RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire, RAF Honington in Suffolk, RAF Odiham in Hampshire and RAF Northolt in West London. No. 11 Group
1700-583: Is at RAF Benson where it has been since 1992. In June 1951 Aidan Crawley the then Under-Secretary of Air presented the squadron its new badge to the Vice-Chancellor Dr J.Lowe (Dean of Christ Church, Oxford ) just before the students headed for its annual camp. Notable past members include Leonard Cheshire , Dinghy Young , Julian Amery , Lord Lyell VC , and the actors Richard Burton , Robert Hardy and Warren Mitchell . The 2012 RAF Aerobatic Display Team 'Red Arrows' Synchro Leader, Flt Lt Ben Plank,
1800-494: Is at RAF High Wycombe co-located with Air Command. Groups are the subdivisions of operational commands and are responsible for certain types of capabilities or for operations in limited geographical areas. There are five groups subordinate to Air Command, of which four are functional and one is geographically focused: No. 1 Group is responsible for combat aircraft (comprising the Lightning Force and Typhoon Force) and
1900-467: Is offered a Summer Vacation Attachment of one week at another RAF base, seconded to an active regular unit. The Squadron was founded on 11 October 1925 (the second oldest after Cambridge University Air Squadron ) and initially had 24 students. The first summer camps were based at RAF Manston from 1925 up to 1931. The squadron disbanded just before the Second World War broke out in September 1939 but then
2000-776: Is part of the Ministry of Defence and body legally responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories . The Chief of the Air Staff chairs the Air Force Board Standing Committee (AFBSC) which decides on the policy and actions required for the RAF to meet the requirements of the Defence Council and His Majesty's Government . The Chief of the Air Staff is supported by several other senior commanders: Administrative and operational command of
2100-629: Is responsible for integrating operations across the air , cyber and space domains whilst responding to new and evolving threats. It includes the RAF's Battlespace Management Force which controls the UK Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS). The group oversees stations at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire and RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria. No. 22 Group
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#17328558484782200-698: Is responsible for the supply of qualified and skilled personnel to the RAF and provides flying and non-flying training to all three British armed services. It is the end-user of the UK Military Flying Training System which is provided by civilian contractor Ascent Flight Training . The group oversees stations at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, RAF Cosford and RAF Shawbury in Shropshire, RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, MOD St Athan in
2300-517: Is typically provided through Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs). Each wing is brought together as and when required and comprises the deployable elements of its home station as well as other support elements from throughout the RAF. Several Expeditionary Air Wings are based overseas: The RAF Schools consist of the squadrons and support apparatus that train new aircrew to join front-line squadrons. The schools separate individual streams, but group together units with similar responsibility or that operate
2400-623: The 1948 Arab–Israeli War : during the withdrawal of the former Mandatory Palestine in May 1948 where British Supermarine Spitfire FR.18s shot down four Royal Egyptian Air Force Spitfire LF.9s after the REAF mistakenly attacked RAF Ramat David airbase; and during encounters with the Israeli Air Force which saw the loss of a single de Havilland Mosquito PR.34 in November 1948 and four Spitfire FR.18s and
2500-633: The British Army as close air support to carry out strikes on rebel positions. The Radfan Campaign (Operation Nutcracker) in early 1964 was successful in suppressing the revolt in Radfa, however it did nothing to end the insurgency with the British withdrawing from Aden in November 1967. One of the largest actions undertaken by the RAF during the Cold War was the air campaign during the 1982 Falklands War , in which
2600-621: The Fleet Air Arm , was founded in 1924 but handed over to Admiralty control on 24 May 1939. The RAF adopted the doctrine of strategic bombing , which led to the construction of long-range bombers and became its main bombing strategy in the Second World War . The Royal Air Force underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. Under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of December 1939,
2700-632: The Gnome Monosoupape rotary engine. This Russian version of the 504 was replaced by what would become the most produced biplane in all of aviation history, the Polikarpov Po-2 , first known as the U-2 ; the type remained in Soviet service till the late 1920s, and much later elsewhere. Although Avro 504s sold to China were training versions, they participated in battles among warlords by acting as bombers with
2800-661: The London Eye , the RAF Memorial and (at 13.00) the Ministry of Defence building . Four major defence reviews have been conducted since the end of the Cold War: the 1990 Options for Change , the 1998 Strategic Defence Review , the 2003 Delivering Security in a Changing World and the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). All four defence reviews have resulted in steady reductions in manpower and numbers of aircraft, especially combat aircraft such as fast-jets. As part of
2900-580: The Royal Australian Air Force represented around nine per cent of all RAF personnel who served in the European and Mediterranean theatres. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the RAF defended the skies over Britain against the numerically superior German Luftwaffe . In what is perhaps the most prolonged and complicated air campaign in history, the Battle of Britain contributed significantly to
3000-417: The UK Military Flying Training System which is dedicated to training aircrew for all three UK armed services. Specialist ground crew training is focused at RAF Cosford , RAF St Mawgan and MOD St. Athan . Operations are supported by numerous other flying and non-flying stations, with activity focussed at RAF Honington which coordinates Force Protection and RAF Leeming & RAF Wittering which have
3100-758: The United Kingdom , British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies . It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has played
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3200-609: The United States Air Force , the RAF formed its own RPAS squadron in 2007 when No. 39 Squadron was stood up as a General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper unit at Creech AFB , Nevada. The RAF's 90th anniversary was commemorated on 1 April 2008 by a flypast of the RAF's Aerobatic Display Team the Red Arrows and four Eurofighter Typhoons along the River Thames , in a straight line from just south of London City Airport Tower Bridge,
3300-721: The Westland Puma HC2 for search and rescue. No. 230 Squadron , based at Medicina Lines , Brunei, also operate the Puma HC2. A flying squadron is an aircraft unit which carries out the primary tasks of the RAF. RAF squadrons are somewhat analogous to the regiments of the British Army in that they have histories and traditions going back to their formation, regardless of where they are based or which aircraft they are operating. They can be awarded standards and battle honours for meritorious service. Most flying squadrons are commanded by
3400-726: The 1991 Gulf War , the 1999 Kosovo War , the 2001 War in Afghanistan , the 2003 invasion and war in Iraq , the 2011 intervention in Libya and from 2014 onwards has been involved in the war against the Islamic State . The RAF began conducting Remotely-piloted Air System (RPAS) operations in 2004, with No. 1115 Flight carrying out missions in Afghanistan and Iraq with the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator . Initially embedded with
3500-562: The Berlin Blockade take place. As part of Operation Pitting , the RAF helped evacuate over 15,000 people in two weeks. Between April and May 2023, the RAF helped evacuate over 2,300 people from Sudan due to the 2023 Sudan conflict as part of Operation Polarbear . In April 2024, Typhoon FGR4s operating from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, engaged and destroyed Iranian drones over Iraqi and Syrian airspace during Iran's strikes against Israel . The professional head and highest-ranking officer of
3600-561: The Ferry Hinksey Road in Oxford and offered joy rides the undergraduates flocked out. Only a few were able to fly before the university authorities intervened and banned any further flying by undergraduates. Members of the UAS, however, were allowed to fly with the squadron provided their experiences were restricted to dual flying out of term time. It was not until several years later that solo flying
3700-524: The Germans, on 22 August 1914. The pilot was 2nd Lt. Vincent Waterfall and his navigator Lt Charles George Gordon Bayly (both of 5 Sqn RFC ) The RNAS used four 504s to form a special flight to bomb the Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen on the shores of Lake Constance . Three set out from Belfort in north-eastern France on 21 November 1914, carrying four 20 lb (9 kg) bombs each. While one aircraft
3800-507: The Houses of Parliament, Conservative MP and Minister of State for the Armed Forces , Andrew Robathan , announced that the RAF's QRA force had been scrambled almost thirty times in the last three years: eleven times during 2010, ten times during 2011 and eight times during 2012. RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray both provide QRA aircraft, and scramble their Typhoons within minutes to meet or intercept aircraft which give cause for concern. Lossiemouth generally covers
3900-508: The RAF is delegated by the Air Force Board to Headquarters Air Command , based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire . Air Command was formed on 1 April 2007 by combining RAF Strike Command and RAF Personnel and Training Command , resulting in a single command covering the whole RAF, led by the Chief of the Air Staff. Through its subordinate groups , Air Command oversees the whole spectrum of RAF aircraft and operations. United Kingdom Space Command (UKSC), established 1 April 2021 under
4000-408: The RAF operated alongside the Fleet Air Arm . During the war, RAF aircraft were deployed in the mid-Atlantic at RAF Ascension Island and a detachment from No. 1 Squadron was deployed with the Royal Navy, operating from the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes . RAF pilots also flew missions using the Royal Navy's Sea Harriers in the air-to-air combat role, in particular Flight Lieutenant Dave Morgan
4100-546: The RAF's intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. It oversees stations at RAF Coningsby and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and RAF Marham in Norfolk. The group's Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 aircraft protect UK and NATO airspace by providing a continuous Quick Reaction Alert capability. No. 2 Group controls the Air Mobility Force which provides strategic and tactical airlift , air-to-air refuelling and command support air transport (CSAT). The group
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4200-436: The RAF's aircraft and personnel are based in the UK, with many others serving on global operations (principally over Iraq and Syria ) or at long-established overseas bases ( Ascension Island , Cyprus , Gibraltar , and the Falkland Islands ). Although the RAF is the principal British air power arm, the Royal Navy 's Fleet Air Arm and the British Army 's Army Air Corps also operate armed aircraft. The Royal Air Force
4300-518: The RAF's five flying training schools, while also being used as communication aircraft. The 504N was also exported to the armed forces of Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Greece, Siam and South Africa, with licensed production taking place in Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Siam and Japan. The RAF's 504Ns were finally replaced in 1933 by the Avro Tutor , with small numbers continuing in civilian use until 1940, when seven were impressed into RAF service, where they were used for target- and glider-towing. The 504
4400-401: The Royal Air Force is the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). He reports to the Chief of the Defence Staff , who is the professional head of the British Armed Forces . The incumbent Chief of the Air Staff is Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton who was appointed in 2023. The management of the RAF is the responsibility of the Air Force Board , a sub-committee of the Defence Council which
4500-409: The Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force Reserve and the Auxiliary Air Force, to simulate interest in air matters generally and to maintain liaison with the university. Wing Commander H R Raikes, Sub Rector of Exeter College, was appointed as Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor with Squadron Leader A G Weir to help him. Courses of practical instruction were provided during term time but actual flying
4600-423: The Suez Crisis, when an English Electric Canberra PR7 was shot down over Syria . In 1957, the RAF participated heavily during the Jebel Akhdar War in Oman, operating both de Havilland Venom and Avro Shackleton aircraft. The RAF made 1,635 raids, dropping 1,094 tons and firing 900 rockets at the interior of Oman between July and December 1958, targeting insurgents, mountain top villages and water channels in
4700-498: The UK Defence Mission". The mission statement is supported by the RAF's definition of air power , which guides its strategy. Air power is defined as "the ability to project power from the air and space to influence the behaviour of people or the course of events". Today, the Royal Air Force maintains an operational fleet of various types of aircraft, described by the RAF as being "leading-edge" in terms of technology. This largely consists of fixed-wing aircraft, including those in
4800-401: The United Kingdom and overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government's foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security". The RAF describes its mission statement as "... [to provide] an agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of
4900-421: The United States and works in close cooperation with the U.S. Air Force in the development of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning . No. 80 Squadron is part of the Australia, Canada and United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory (ACURL) at Eglin Air Force Base , Florida, and is tasked with compiling and testing the Mission Data File Sets (MDFS) for the F-35. No. 84 Squadron is located at RAF Akrotiri, operating
5000-578: The Vale of Glamorgan, RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall and RAF Valley on Anglesey. The No. 22 Group also manages the Royal Air Force Air Cadets . An RAF station is ordinarily subordinate to a group and is commanded by a group captain . Each station typically hosts several flying and non-flying squadrons or units which are supported by administrative and support wings. Front-line flying operations are focused at eight stations: Flying training takes places at RAF Barkston Heath , RAF College Cranwell , RAF Shawbury and RAF Valley , each forming part of
5100-424: The air by 6 am flew until 1pm and then took part in sporting activities until dinner. The squadron achieved a total of 205 hours in the camp period. The camp was judged to be a great success not only with the pilots but with the station and locals as well; the annual camp was held at Manston for a few more years. 1927 There had been so much interest in flying shown by undergraduates that when an aircraft landed on
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#17328558484785200-439: The air force's V bomber fleet. These were initially armed with nuclear gravity bombs , later being equipped with the Blue Steel missile . Following the development of the Royal Navy's Polaris submarines , the strategic nuclear deterrent passed to the navy's submarines on 30 June 1969. With the introduction of Polaris, the RAF's strategic nuclear role was reduced to a tactical one, using WE.177 gravity bombs. This tactical role
5300-459: The air forces of British Commonwealth countries trained and formed " Article XV squadrons " for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from occupied Europe , also served with RAF squadrons. By the end of the war the Royal Canadian Air Force had contributed more than 30 squadrons to serve in RAF formations, similarly, approximately a quarter of Bomber Command's personnel were Canadian. Additionally,
5400-429: The aircraft. 1932 The squadron visited Eastchurch again for summer camp and flew over 1300 hours, some of which were on the newly introduced Armstrong Whitworth Atlas . This aircraft replaced the Bristol fighter as an advanced 2-seat trainer. However the year was really singled out by the move, in November from Upper Heyford to RAF Abingdon as the permanent flying base. The squadron aircraft were led in formation by
5500-494: The arrival of jet fighters and bombers. During the early stages of the Cold War, one of the first major operations undertaken by the RAF was the Berlin Airlift , codenamed Operation Plainfire. Between 26 June 1948 and the lifting of the Russian blockade of the city on 12 May 1949, the RAF provided 17% of the total supplies delivered, using Avro Yorks , Douglas Dakotas flying to Gatow Airport and Short Sunderlands flying to Lake Havel. The RAF saw its first post-war engagements in
5600-414: The command of Air Vice-Marshal Paul Godfrey is a joint command, but sits "under the Royal Air Force." Godfrey is of equal rank to the commanders of 1, 2, 11, and 22 Groups. The new command has "responsibility for not just operations, but also generating, training and growing the force, and also owning the money and putting all the programmatic rigour into delivering new ..capabilities." UKSC headquarters
5700-463: The decline of the British Empire, global operations were scaled back, and RAF Far East Air Force was disbanded on 31 October 1971. Despite this, the RAF fought in many battles in the Cold War period. In June 1948, the RAF commenced Operation Firedog against Malayan pro-independence fighters during the Malayan Emergency . Operations continued for the next 12 years until 1960 with aircraft flying out of RAF Tengah and RAF Butterworth . The RAF played
5800-400: The delay and subsequent indefinite postponement of Operation Sea Lion , Hitler's plans for an invasion of the UK. In the House of Commons on 20 August, prompted by the ongoing efforts of the RAF, Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a speech to the nation, where he said " Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" . The largest RAF effort during the war
5900-529: The end of 1918. In the winter of 1917–18 it was decided to use converted 504Js and 504Ks to equip Home Defence squadrons of the RFC, replacing ageing B.E.2cs , which had poor altitude performance. These aircraft were modified as single-seaters, armed with a Lewis gun above the wing on a Foster mounting , and powered by 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome or 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône engines. 274 converted Avro 504Js and Ks were issued to eight home defence squadrons in 1918, with 226 still being used as fighters at
6000-442: The end of the First World War. Following the end of the war, while the type continued in service as the standard trainer of the RAF , large numbers of surplus aircraft were available for sale, both for civil and military use. More than 300 504Ks were placed on the civil register in Britain. Used for training, pleasure flying, banner towing and even barnstorming exhibitions (as was ongoing in North America following World War I with
6100-569: The first hint of something abnormal, a controller has the option to put them on a higher level of alert, 'a call to cockpit'. In this scenario the pilot races to the hardened aircraft shelter and does everything short of starting his engines". On 4 October 2015, a final stand-down saw the end of more than 70 years of RAF Search and Rescue provision in the UK. The RAF and Royal Navy's Westland Sea King fleets, after over 30 years of service, were retired. A civilian contractor, Bristow Helicopters , took over responsibility for UK Search and Rescue, under
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#17328558484786200-421: The following roles: fighter and strike , airborne early warning and control , intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), signals intelligence (SIGINT), maritime patrol, air-to-air refueling (AAR) and strategic & tactical transport . The majority of the RAF's rotary-wing aircraft form part of the tri-service Joint Aviation Command in support of ground forces. Most of
6300-402: The great bulk of the RAF's bombing campaign, mainly due to Harris, but it also developed precision bombing techniques for specific operations, such as the infamous "Dambusters" raid by No. 617 Squadron , or the Amiens prison raid known as Operation Jericho . Following victory in the Second World War, the RAF underwent significant re-organisation, as technological advances in air warfare saw
6400-473: The guidance of Sgt J B Acres and Sgt T I Devison. In July the squadron set off for its first annual camp at RAF Manston where the members were flown in Avro 504 loaned, with instructions by the air force. These early Avros were the 504k model with rotary engine which were reported to cover the pilot with castor oil and smell so badly that many a novice pilot felt very sick. It is obvious from early flying program that squadron members were very keen enough to be in
6500-462: The highest scoring pilot of the war. Following a British victory, the RAF remained in the South Atlantic to provide air defence to the Falkland Islands, with the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2 based at RAF Mount Pleasant which was built in 1984. With the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the RAF's focus returned to expeditionary air power . Since 1990, the RAF has been involved in several large-scale operations, including
6600-437: The idea of forming squadrons at the universities with the object of encouraging an interest in flying and promoting and maintaining liaison with the universities in technical and research problems affecting aviation. The squadron was a civilian organization with a blazer and squadron tie as the only uniform. 1925 On 11 October a squadron was formed at Oxford with the object of attracting the first candidates for commissions to
6700-567: The latest 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4 maritime patrol aircraft was cancelled due to over spending and missing deadlines. Other reductions saw total manpower reduced by 5,000 personnel to a trained strength of 33,000 and the early retirement of the Joint Force Harrier aircraft, the BAE Harrier GR7/GR9 . In recent years, fighter aircraft on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) have been increasingly required to scramble in response to Russian Air Force aircraft approaching British airspace. On 24 January 2014, in
6800-401: The member who has judged to be the best all-round pilot, this trophy is still presented today. In the spring of 1934 the Avro Tutor was introduced by which time the squadron had trained some 240 pilots and flown 15,000 hours. At the end of 1934 with the expansion of the Air Force the established strength of the squadron was increased to allow those who were seeking permanent commission to join
6900-446: The most-produced aircraft of any kind that served in any military capacity during the First World War. More than 10,000 were built from 1913 until production ended in 1932. First flown from Brooklands by Fred "Freddie" Raynham on 18 September 1913, powered by an 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome Lambda seven-cylinder rotary engine , the Avro 504 was a development of the earlier Avro 500 , designed for training and private flying. It
7000-431: The northern sector of UK airspace, while Coningsby covers the southern sector. Typhoon pilot Flight Lieutenant Noel Rees describes how QRA duty works. "At the start of the scaled QRA response, civilian air traffic controllers might see on their screens an aircraft behaving erratically, not responding to their radio calls, or note that it's transmitting a distress signal through its transponder. Rather than scramble Typhoons at
7100-410: The number and variety of outside lectures who visited the squadron at Manor Road, Major Scott on handling of airships and Mr D R Pye on the development of aero engine. In 1931 the squadron went to RAF Eastchurch for the first time on what was described an 'annual holiday training'. Wing Commander R M Hill has now taken over the squadron which was conferred the privilege of bearing the university arms on
7200-473: The occasion on 10 July 2018 with a flypast over London consisting of 103 aircraft. Between March 2020 and 2022, the RAF assisted with the response efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom as part of Operation Rescript . This saw the service provide repatriation flights and aeromedical evacuations of COVID-19 patients, drivers and call-handlers to support ambulance services and medics to assist with
7300-487: The physical defence and maintenance of sovereignty of the British Overseas Territories and enable the UK to conduct expeditionary military operations . Although command and oversight of the bases is provided by Strategic Command , the airfield elements are known as RAF stations. Four RAF squadrons are based overseas. No. 17 Test and Evaluation Squadron is based at Edwards Air Force Base , California, in
7400-585: The pilot dropping hand grenades and modified mortar shells . The improved, redesigned and radial-engined 504N with a new undercarriage was produced by Avro in 1925. After evaluation of two prototypes, one powered by the Bristol Lucifer and the other by the Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx , the Lynx-powered aircraft was selected by the RAF to replace the 504K. 592 were built between 1925 and 1932, equipping
7500-469: The potential aircrew practice dinghy drill in the Cherwell off the lawn of the squadron headquarters. The effort expended on training can well be imagined when it is realized that over 2000 members passed through the squadron during the war, these include famous people Richard Burton , Robert Hardy and Warren Mitchell . Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force ( RAF ) is the air and space force of
7600-419: The same aircraft type. Some schools operate with only one squadron, and have an overall training throughput which is relatively small; some, like No. 3 Flying Training School , have responsibility for all Elementary Flying Training (EFT) in the RAF, and all RAF aircrew will pass through its squadrons when they start their flying careers. No. 2 Flying Training School and No. 6 Flying Training School do not have
7700-561: The similar-role, surplus Curtiss JN-4s and Standard J -1s); civil 504s continued flying in large numbers until well into the 1930s. The embryonic air service of the Soviet Union , formed just after the First World War, used both original Avro 504s and their own Avrushka (" Little Avro") copy of it for primary training as the U-1 in the early 1920s, usually powered by Russian-made copies of
7800-485: The spring of 1937 Flight Lieutenant H J Fitzpatrick joined the staff as the first returning ex-member as instructor and adjutant. The squadron went to Ford, West Sussex for camp and accommodated for the first time in tents. With a total of 80 members, the squadron needed extra aircraft for the camp in 1938, again at Ford, and 3 Harts, 2 Hinds, 1 Audax and 14 Tutors were brought on strength. The extra flying had its penalties in incidents which seem curious nowadays; one Tutor
7900-484: The squadron commander Wing Commander Keith Park in an Atlas carrying as passenger the Vice-Chancellor, Rev F J Lys, who, at the age of 70, was reported to be reluctant to leave the machine. The squadron's 5 Avro Lynx followed behind. 1933–35 To give special incentive to squadron members to gain proficiency in flying John Siddeley, 1st Baron Kenilworth presented the squadron with a magnificent trophy to be won by
8000-468: The squadron was more active than ever. Some of the senior members were sent to the RAFVR Flying School at Kidlington to gain flying experience on Harts during term time. The Annual Dinner was the largest so far with 300 people at present and was a great success. There were now familiar incidents of forced landings and an undershoot by a student 'trying to prolong his glide by pulling his nose up'. Camp
8100-401: The squadron was similar throughout the war. Large courses of short duration were organized for the undergraduates to give them a grounding in many of the subjects they would need as RAF pilots. Up to 300 were eventually taken on each course of some 6 months duration. It was thought a good idea to give potential fighter pilots some practice at shooting in preparation for air to air combat and so
8200-428: The squadron without restricting the number of ordinary members. These recruits would then go to a special course at RAF Cranwell after completing 70 hours flying with the air squadron. For summer camp in 1935 the squadron again went to Eastchurch under the command of Wing Commander C N Lowe. 1936–38 For the 1936 camp at Eastchurch the squadron had 3 Harts or 'service types' for flying the more advanced members. In
8300-471: The staffing of hospitals, testing units and vaccination centres. Under Operation Broadshare , the RAF has also been involved with COVID-19 relief operations overseas, repatriating stranded nationals and delivering medical supplies and vaccines to British Overseas Territories and military installations. The UK's 20-year long operations in Afghanistan came to an end in August 2021, seeing the largest airlift since
8400-480: The year. The annual camp was held again at Manston and on average each member was receiving about 1.5 hours flying per day interspersed with lectures on rigging, engines and airmanship. Improvements over the camp of the previous year were reported, one of which was the Hucks starter . this device stood on a movable base - Ford Model T and then driven out to an aircraft awaiting to be started up. The aircraft flown in 1927
8500-423: Was "fortunate that none of the undergraduates was really hurt". At the end of the year 2 Napier engines were presented to the Squadron by H T Vance and Sir Harry Britten, directors of Napiers, for instructional purposes. 1928 In January Wing Commander Garrod took over as Chief Instructor, at the halfway point of his distinguished service career. Shortly afterwards, Miss Round was engaged as squadron secretary,
8600-535: Was a two-bay all-wooden biplane with a square-section fuselage . The following companies are recorded as manufacturing the Avro 504 under licence. Small numbers of early aircraft were purchased by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) prior to the start of the First World War, and were taken to France when the war started. One of the RFC aircraft was the first British aircraft to be shot down by
8700-641: Was continued by the V bombers into the 1980s and until 1998 by the Panavia Tornado GR1 . For much of the Cold War the primary role of the RAF was the defence of Western Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union , with many squadrons based in West Germany . The main RAF bases in RAF(G) were RAF Brüggen , RAF Gutersloh , RAF Laarbruch and RAF Wildenrath – the only air defence base in RAF(G). With
8800-416: Was damaged while taxying because the student's goggles were blurred by rain, one Hart burst a tyre on landing because of flints on the airfield and the aircraft were saved from wind damage on one blustery day by parking Military Transport vehicles in front of them to form a wind break. During the camp members visited the aircraft carrier HMS Courageous (50) at sea. 1939 In the year of the outbreak of war
8900-546: Was eventually permitted during term time. The universities were afraid that undergraduates were not taking aviation seriously and indeed one of the reasons for banning flights over the city of Oxford was that the embryo pilots might indulge in some 'dangerous aerial gymnastics'. Towards the end of the year, the authorities allowed dual flying in term time for members of the squadron and 4 Avro 504N aircraft were accordingly installed at Upper Heyford for their use. Membership had now risen to 75 members and some 400 hours had been flown in
9000-622: Was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the third independent air force in the world after the Mexican Air Force (established 5 February 1915) and the Finnish Air Force (established 6 March 1918), by merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). This was done as recommended in a report prepared by the South African statesman and general Jan Smuts . At that time it
9100-486: Was held at Lympne Airport just before the squadron closed down on 16 September on the outbreak of hostilities. 1940 In September 1940 the squadron was re-opened to take in the short courses for ground training to the standard of the RAF Initial Training School "Wings" syllabus. About 100 members were taken in, under the commander of Squadron Leader H R A Edwards. 1941–45 The pattern of training on
9200-465: Was only practised in the long vacation. An entrance fee of only £1 was charged and the total cost of setting up the squadron was £4000. The first headquarters was built at Manor Road which remained the HQ for many years. 1926 The success of the squadron was guaranteed by the enthusiasm with the first members embarked on their ground instruction on the various types of engines, instruments and accessories under
9300-678: Was recognized by the university as a 'permanent institution' thus putting it on an equal footing with the Officers' Training Corps , by approving a statue to add the name of the Commanding Officer of the squadron as a member of the Delegacy of Military Instruction (DMI). Even more hours were flown at Manston during camp (1105) and the press were invited to visit. For the camp the squadron had 8 Lynx Avros, 2 Bristol Fighters (service type) and one Bristol Fighter dual control with slotted wing. Back in Oxford
9400-473: Was reformed in September 1940 to provide flying training to students. OUAS was an important source of pilots in the lead up to the Battle of Britain . As members of the RAFVR, cadets were called up for active service before completing their degrees. Having first been based at Upper Heyford , then from 1932 at Abingdon , OUAS operated from Bicester Airfield until 1975, when it returned to Abingdon. Its present base
9500-476: Was shot down, the raid was successful, with several direct hits on the airship sheds and the destruction of the hydrogen generating plant. Soon obsolete as a frontline aircraft, it came into its own as a trainer, with thousands being built during the war, with the major production types being the 504J and the mass production 504K, designed with modified engine bearers to accommodate a range of engines to cope with engine shortages. 8,340 Avro 504s had been produced by
9600-418: Was so taken with first solo flight at the 1927 camp that he refused to land. When he eventually alighted mechanics were sent out to seize the wing-tips of his aircraft but he took off again. The squadron was well established in its 'hangar' headquarters at Manor Road, Oxford where ground instruction was given on 2 aeroplanes and 6 engines which members dismantled and put together again. 1929 The squadron
9700-547: Was the strategic bombing campaign against Germany by Bomber Command. While RAF bombing of Germany began almost immediately upon the outbreak of war at first it was ineffectual; it was only later, particularly under the leadership of Air Chief Marshal Harris , that these attacks became increasingly devastating, from early 1943 onward, as new technology and greater numbers of superior aircraft became available. The RAF adopted night-time area bombing on German cities such as Hamburg and Dresden . Night time area bombing constituted
9800-461: Was the Avro 504N's, with the Lynx engine, the radial engine which was a great improvement on the model of the previous year. The squadron also had the use of a single Bristol F.2 Fighter . In these early days at camp there were occasional accidents including a collision on the ground between an Avro and a Vickers Virginia but the general tone of the reports was that such misfortunes were inevitable and it
9900-416: Was the first British aeroplane to strafe troops on the ground as well as the first British aircraft to make a bombing raid over Germany. It was also the first Allied aeroplane to be downed by enemy anti-aircraft fire and was the first aircraft flown by many future aces, including Billy Bishop . The 504 is easily recognisable because of the single skid between the wheels, referred to as the "toothpick" in
10000-484: Was the largest air force in the world. Its headquarters was located in the former Hotel Cecil . After the war, the RAF was drastically cut and its inter-war years were relatively quiet. The RAF was put in charge of British military activity in Iraq , and carried out minor activities in other parts of the British Empire , including establishing bases to protect Singapore and Malaya. The RAF's naval aviation branch,
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