The Royal Air Force

1. The Royal Air Force

2. Objectives • Describe the structure of the RAF • Outline the history of the RAF • List 3 threats to security • Identify why security is important.

3. The RAF -Today The vision for today’s RAF is; '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 the UK Defence Mission.’

4. The RAF - Today Structure HM The Queen UK Government Ministry of Defence Air Command No 1 Group No 2 Group No 22 Group Expeditionary Air Wings

5. The RAF - Air Command Air Command • Responsible for the overall command and control of the RAF • Commands 3 groups • Based at RAF High Wycombe.

6. The RAF – No 1 Group No 1 Group

7. The RAF – No2 Group No 2 Group

8. The RAF No 22 Group

9. The RAF – 22 Group

10. The RAF - History • The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was formed in 1912 • In 1914 the Royal Navy formed the Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS)and broke away • The value of “Air Power” was proven throughout the First World War

11. The RAF - History = + • On the 1st April 1918 The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Navy Air Service (RNAS)were rejoined and the Royal Air Force (RAF) was born.

12. The RAF - History • RAF won the Schneider trophy in 1927, 1929 and 1931. • Development of radio location to detect and locate aircraft- Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR)

13. The RAF - History • World War 2 • War was declared in 1939 • Squadrons from the RAF were sent to France with the Army to provide air support • As the army withdrew from France (via Dunkirk) the RAF provided cover

14. The RAF - History • World War 2 • In the Summer of 1940 Hitler decided that to invade Britain complete air superiority was required • The German air force (the Luftwaffe) was tasked with destroying the RAF • The Battle of Britain began.

15. The RAF - History • World War 2 - The Battle of Britain • In 1940 six to seven hundred fighters mainly spitfires and Hurricanes flew daily against the Luftwaffe’s force of 1,000 fighters and 1,250 bombers.

16. The RAF

17. The RAF • The RAF was successful and without Air superiority plans to invade were scrapped. • The prime minister at the time (Sir Winston Churchill) said this of the RAF; “The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”

18. The RAF • Post war years; the RAF reequipped with Jet aircraft • The Canberra was the first jet-engined bomber to enter RAF service.

19. The RAF • Post war years; The cold War began soon after the second world war and this led to the UK building a nuclear deterrent • The RAF element of this deterrent was delivered by the V bombers. Viktor Vulcan Valiant

20. The RAF • In 1960 the first RAF supersonic fighter, the ‘Lighting” entered service’.

21. The RAF • Recent RAF deployments • Libya – • The Balkans – • Iraq – • Afghanistan – • The Falklands –

22. The RAF - Security • There are 3 types of security threat; • Direct • Indirect • Terrorism • Indirect and Terrorist threats exist at all times not just in war!!

23. The RAF - Security • We are all responsible for security at our own Squadrons or when we visit RAF or Service establishments! • Never leave bags un-labelled or unattended • Never enter restricted areas • Always report strange occurrences to staff • Do not enter the HQ until staff have arrived • When talking to people about the ATC then think “do they need to know?” If they don’t then stop talking! • Close and lock doors and windows

24. The RAF Questions ?

25. Objectives • Describe the structure of the RAF • Outline the history of the RAF • List 3 threats to security • Identify why security is important.

27. The RAF

28. The RAF