Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.[5] It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).[6] Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time.[7] Since its formation, the RAF has played a significant role in British military history. In particular, during the Second World War, the RAF established air superiority over Hermann Göring's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, and led the Allied strategic bombing effort.[8][9]
"RAF" redirects here. For other uses, see RAF (disambiguation) and Royal Air Force (disambiguation).Royal Air Force
1 April 1918
Air and space force
Aerial and space warfare
"Per Ardua ad Astra" (Latin)
(Through Adversity to the Stars)
Red, white, blue
Quick: "Royal Air Force March Past"
Slow: "Saeculum"[3]
1 April
- First World War
- Third Anglo-Afghan War
- Somaliland Campaign
- Iraqi Revolt
- Pink’s War
- Arab revolt in Palestine
- Second World War
- Palestine Emergency
- Indonesian National Revolution
- 1948 Arab-Israeli War
- Berlin Blockade
(Operation Vittles) - Malayan Emergency
- Korean War
- Cyprus Emergency
- Mau Mau Rebellion
(Operation Anvil) - Suez Crisis
(Operation Musketeer) - Cuban Missile Crisis
- Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation
(Operation Claret) - Aden Emergency
- Dhofar Rebellion
- Northern Ireland
(Operation Banner) - Turkish invasion of Cyprus
- Falklands War
(Operation Corporate) - Gulf War
(Operation Granby) - Bosnian War
- Kosovo War
(Operation Engadine) - War in Afghanistan
(Operation Herrick and Operation Toral) - Global War on Terrorism
- 2003 Invasion of Iraq
(Operation Telic) - 2011 military intervention in Libya
(Operation Ellamy) - War against the Islamic State
(Operation Shader) - Operation Serval
- Operation Newcombe
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 the United Kingdom and overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government's foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security".[10] 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 the UK Defence Mission".[11] 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".[12]
Today, the Royal Air Force maintains an operational fleet of various types of aircraft,[13] described by the RAF as being "leading-edge" in terms of technology.[14] This largely consists of fixed-wing aircraft, including those in 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 Helicopter Command in support of ground forces. Most of 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.
Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917
An Act to make provision for the establishment, administration, and discipline of an Air Force, the establishment of an Air Council, and for purposes connected therewith.
7 & 8 Geo. 5. c. 51
29 November 1917
