Recruit Training Flight

1. Recruit Training Flight Lesson 2 History of the Royal Air Force

2. Revision • History of the ATC • Formed from the ADCC • Formed on the 5th February 1941 • Father of the ATC – Air Commodore Chamier • Drill • What is Drill? • What is Discipline? • Enforced • Expected

3. Revision • How to salute? • When to salute... • What is the motto of the ATC? • Venture Adventure • What is this flag? • ATC Ensign • What does Staff Cadet on a rank slide mean? • Cadet is over 18 • What does VR(T) Stand for? • Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch)

4. Aims of the Lesson • To learn about the foundation of the Royal Air Force; • To learn the Structure of the RAF; • To introduce security procedures used in the RAF, MoD and ATC environments;

5. By the End of the Lesson • You will know the forerunners of the RAF; • You will know the foundation date of the RAF; • You will know key history of the RAF, including battles and campaigns fought; • You will be able to explain the structure of the RAF; • You will be able to ensure a level of security is maintained, both on Squadron and on a RAF station.

6. The Defence Mission The purpose of the Ministry of Defence, and the Armed Forces, is to defend the United Kingdom, and Overseas Territories, our people and interests, and to act as a force for good by strengthening international peace and security.

7. The RAF Vision An Air Force that, person for person and pound for pound, is second to none. • An Air Force that: • Is trained and equipped to generate air power as a vital contribution to the security of the United Kingdom and as a force for good in the world. • Is proud of its heritage but modern and flexible. • Fosters professionalism and team spirit founded on commitment and self-discipline. • Offers opportunity to all, and provides a rewarding career and skills for life..

8. History of the RAF • Watch the video from the squadron website on the History of the RAF: • LINK

9. Formation of the RAF • The earliest use of Aviation in warfare was reconnaissance balloons used for locating enemy positions. • In May 1912, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was formed in order to train young men in aviation and flying. • The first aircraft were for reconnaissance only and hence were not armed. • In June 1914, it was decided the Royal Navy needed its own air wing, and the Royal Naval Air Service split off from the RFC

10. Formation of the RAF • The first use of aircraft in combat was when German pilots used rifles to try to shoot down our reconnaissance aircraft. • The fighter aircraft and the dog fight was born. • By 1916, after the Zeppelin raids over the UK, it was realised that aircraft could be used for bombing too. • This was the start of real air based warfare. • A committee under General Smuts resulted in the formation of the Air Council and Air Ministry.

11. The RAF is Born.... • On • 1st April 1918 • Hence the Name • Royal • April • Fool

12. The RAF is Born... • The existing Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) were merged into the new single force, the Royal Air Force • The RAF was the first independent single service air force in the world! • Lord Trenchard, due to his work towards the RAF formation is known as the • Father of the Royal Air Force • During World War One, the RAF grew to 190 Squadrons with over 290,000 Officers and Men

13. After The War • Within 2 years, the RAF had shrunk to 25,000 Officer and Men and 30 Squadrons. • Lord Trenchard and Sir Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for War and Air) decided to retain the RAF at this strength. • It was decided to build up a sound training organisation for the RAF: • 1920 – Royal Air Force College Cranwell • 1920 – Apprentice School at RAF Halton • 1922 – RAF Staff College at Andover

14. After The War • The RAF took a major role in the development of aircraft after WWI. • The RAF won the Schneider Trophy for high speed flight in 1927, 1929 and 1931. • Speeds reached were between 281-340 mph. • These high speed aircraft were the forerunner of what would become the Spitfire and Hurricane

15. RADAR • One of the major developments during the inter-war years was the development of RADAR • Radio Detection And Ranging (RADAR) was developed to “spot” aircraft approaching the UK. • Large RADAR towers were erected along the coast to spot any aircraft or ships approaching the UK WWII RADAR Towers

16. Framework of the RAF in 1936

17. Air Superiority Over Dunkirk • Watch the video from the squadron website on Dunkirk. • LINK

18. Air Superiority Over Dunkirk • The RAF fighters flew daily over the evacuation beaches in order to provide support to the troops on the ground below. • They worked to prevent the Luftwaffe fighters and bombers from killing the troops as they waited to be evacuated. • This kind of action leads to Air Superiority, where one side effectively stops the use of another's air force.

19. The Battle of Britain • Watch the video from the squadron website on the Battle of Britain • LINK

20. The Battle of Britain • The German Luftwaffe launched bombing raids on UK airfield to try to cripple the RAF and later on UK cities to demoralise the people. • The RAF went up time and again to fight off the German bombers, escorted by fighter aircraft. • 600 – 700 hundred Spitfires and Hurricanes flew daily against 1000 Luftwaffe fighters and 1,250 bombers. • The RAF maintained Air Superiority over the UK and channel, effectively stopping the panned invasion of the UK

21. The Battle of Britain • Watch Churchill’s speech from the squadron website: • LINK

22. Post War Years • After WWII the RAF again underwent a downsize from the wartime peak of 1,100,000 Officers and Men to around 200,000 in 1950 to 100,00 in 1970 to the present day numbers of about 35,000. • Wartime Conscription continued until 1962. • The RAF is now a Regular Air Force, assisted by members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) and the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR)

23. Into the Jet Age • Towards the end of the war, Germany and the UK had started to develop Jet engined aircraft. • Our first fighters were the Vampire and the Meteor. • The first jet Bomber was the Canberra, which is still in use today with the RAF, but as a reconnaissance aircraft. • The RAF also helped to develop the first jet airline, the Comet.

24. Into the Jet Age Vampire Meteor Canberra Comet

25. The Nuclear Age • The RAF was the first custodian of the UK’s Nuclear deterrent. • A force for three aircraft were ordered. • They became known as the V-Bombers. • The were the: • Valiant • Vulcan • Victor • They were responsible for the nuclear and h-bomb testing performed by the UK and the deterrent during the early Cold War

26. The Supersonic Age • The threat from Russian long range bombers during the cold war lead to the development of new and faster intercept aircraft. • The first Supersonic (ie able to fly faster than the speed of sound) aircraft in service with the RAF was the Lightening. • This was introduced in 1960 . • Today, the Tornado and the Typhoon can both reach speeds in excess of twice the speed of sound.

27. The Supersonic Age • Watch the video on the Lightening, the first RAF supersonic aircraft. • LINK

28. V/STOL • Another RAF “first” was the development of the first fixed wing V/STOL aircraft. • Vertical / Short Take Off and Landing allowed aircraft to take off from and land at increasing small airstrips, thus allowing the increase in the Expeditionary capabilities of the RAF • The first aircraft introduced in 1969 was the Bae Harrier, which saw service with both the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm • Today, the RAF is looking to purchase a V/STOL variant of the Joint Strike Fighter

29. V/STOL • Watch the video on the Harrier: • LINK

30. The Falklands • When Argentina invaded the UK protectorate, the Falklands, the RAF was called upon to launch the longest ever bombing run. • A combination of planning and air-to-air refuelling saw the Vulcan bomber successfully bomb the airfield at Port Stanley. • This showed how versatile the RAF could be using its new technologies.

31. The Falklands • Watch the video on the Falklands from the Squadron website: • LINK

32. NATO • The UK forms part of NATO • The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) was formed to counter the threat from the Warsaw Pact countries. • Today, the RAF and other armed forces of the UK take part in joint NATO and United Nations (UN) missions and can be called upon to provide men, aircraft or logistical support when required. • The recent actions in Lebanon are NATO lead.

33. Any Questions

34. Security • Who do you think is responsible for security on RAF stations and Air Cadet Squadrons? • EVERYONE!! • Once you enrol as a cadet you will be responsible for maintaining the “secrets” of the RAF. • You will not come into contact with many secrets, but you must be aware that what you may see and hear on camp may be of a classified nature. • Examples might be if you overhear conversations in the Mess about aircraft faults. It would not be good for enemies of the UK to know these faults.

35. Security • As a cadet you may also gain access to some classified material • This may be material that it would not be good for someone outside the military to see. • There are 4 levels of classified material: • RESTRICTED • CONFIDENTIAL • SECRET • TOP SECRET • If you find any protectively marked material, report it to a member of staff immediately.

36. Security • When on an RAF station, you may have the opportunity to do Section Visits. • Take a camera with you, but always make sure you ask for permission before taking any photographs. • You never know when a photo you take on camp and post on Facebook may reveal a new type of equipment on an aircraft!

37. Security On Station • While on a RAF Station, ensure you carry your ID with you at all times. • This is your 3822 which will contain a photograph! • Ensure you never go to an area of the station that is out-of-bounds, unless accompanied by a member of Station or Cadet Staff. • Report any suspicious people or events you see on the Station. • If you are requested to STOP, do so!

38. Security at Squadron • While there would be no Military advantage to an attack on the Air Cadets, we are still a “soft target”. • If you see anyone on squadron acting suspiciously, inform a member of staff. • If you see any suspicious packages on the squadron, again inform a member of staff.

39. Any Questions

40. Structure of the RAF

41. RAF Structure • Each station will have a main role: • RAF Cosford – Engineering Training • RAFC Cranwell – Officer Training and EFT • RAF Valley – Advanced Fast Jet Training • ETC • The RAF comes under the control of HQ Air Command • Stations are either controlled by Air Command (Operations) or Air Command (Personnel)

42. Air Command

43. No 1 Group • Responsible for all strike aircraft & squadrons • Tornado • Typhoon

44. No 2 Group • Responsible for all support aircraft & squadrons • Hawk • Tristar • VC 10 • Hercules • Sentry • ASTOR • Search & Rescue • The Royal Air Force Regiment

45. Joint Operations / Commands • The RAF, Army and Navy operate some Joint Commands. • These are where the overall command is delegated to the Force commander, who may be from any service. • The Joint Commands are: • Joint Helicopter Command • Defence Logistics Organisation • Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment (CBRN)

46. A Typical Station

47. Expeditionary Air Wing • Expeditionary Air Wings are a way of grouping together on a single station all the units required to run Air Operations. • The idea is that the whole of the station could be transferred together and run an effective forward operating base. • In the past, unlike the army, single RAF trades have been mobilised, possibly from several different stations. The EAW is a move away from this structure.

48. Civilians & the RAF • In the past, the whole RAF role was carried out by trained RAF personnel, including cooks, cleaners, pilots, air traffic, engineers, survival equipment fitters, etc etc. • Today, some roles have been taken on by civilian contractors., including catering, cleaning and some engineering sections. • This can lead to RAF personnel being “commanded” by civilian managers in an engineering section, or civilian staff working for RAF Officers. • In an Expeditionary Air Wing, the majority of roles tend to be taken by serving RAF personnel as they are deployable.

49. Any Questions

50. Junior Ranks • Leading Aircraftman • (LAC) • Senior Aircraftman • (SAC) • SAC Technician • (SAC T) • Junior Technician • (JT)