RAF Structure & Organisation

Question 1

Chief of Air Staff (CAS)?

Answer 1

ACM Mike Wigston

Question 2

Mike Wigston’s predecessor?

Answer 2

Sir Stephan Hillier

Question 3

Air Command HQ?

Answer 3

RAF High Wycombe, Oxfordshire

Question 4

What the hierarchy of the organisational units of the RAF?

Answer 4

Air Command > Groups > Stations > Wings > Squadrons > Flights > Individuals

Question 5

Who is the DCO and what is their responsibility

Answer 5

AM Gerry Mayhew The Deputy Commander Operations is the senior Royal Air Force war fighter responsible for the conduct of air operations at home and overseas.

Question 6

Who is the DCC and what is their responsibility?

Answer 6

AM Andrew Turner Deputy Commander Capability is responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all aspects of Royal Air Force capability including, people, equipment, infrastructure and training. He sits on the Air Force Board as the Air Member for Personnel and Capability.

Question 7

Who is the Chief of Material (Air) and what is their responsibility?

Answer 7

AM Julian Young The Chief of Materiel (Air) is the senior officer responsible for delivering Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) outcomes in the Air Environment alongside other senior people from the Royal Navy, Army and Civil Service who focus on the other Defence Environments.

Question 8

Who is the Chief of Staff Personnel and Air Secretary (COS Pers/Air Sec) and what is their responsibility?

Answer 8

The COS Pers/Air Sec is to manage the Royal Air Force’s Servicemen and women and to provide the supporting policies to enable an agile, adaptable and capable Air Force.

Question 9

Name the 6 Groups

Answer 9

1 Group 2 Group 11 Group 22 Group 38 Group 83 Group (Expeditionary)

Question 10

1 Group’s Role?

Answer 10

Attack. No 1 Group coordinates all of the RAF’s frontline, fast-jet force elements and the ISTAR work.

Question 11

2 Group’s Role?

Answer 11

Support. 2 Group’s role is to generate, sustain and, when directed, command forces for current operations; and develop forces for future operations. The speed and global reach of 2 Group’s Force Protection and Air Mobility Force Elements allow the UK to rapidly deploy, sustain and recover its Armed Forces in response to developing security and humanitarian crises.

Question 12

22 Group’s Role?

Answer 12

Training. 22 Group provides the qualified and skilled personnel that the RAF and the other two Services need to carry out operations world-wide. 22 Group has a wide area of interest with responsibilities for many aspects of training.

Question 13

38 Group’s Role?

Answer 13

Oversee and manage engineering, logistics, communications and Medical Operations Force Elements

Question 14

83 Group’s Role?

Answer 14

EAG The RAF’s operational headquarters (“second head) in the Middle East. Responsible for overseeing and supporting operations (e.g. Kipion & Shader) as well as the delivery of UK national and Defence objectives across the middle east.

Question 15

11 Group’s Role?

Answer 15

Multi-domain operations group. Combine the capabilities of the COS Ops AO with the Air Battle Staff, comprising the deployable Joint Force Air Component (JFAC), the National Air & Space Operations Centre (NASOC) and the Executive Team. It also incorporates the BM Force, providing the building blocks for the generation of a powerful non-kinetic effects capability and ensure the service thinks and acts in a networked way.

Question 16

List 5 EAWs

Answer 16

901 EAW 902 EAW 903 EAW 905 EAW 906 EAW

Question 17

Where is 901 EAW and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 17

Al Udeid, Qatar Supports coalition operations in the Middle East with a number of specialist flights that have responsibilities for activities such as air movements, air transport and passenger handling,

Question 18

Where is 902 EAW and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 18

RAFO Musannah, Oman Provides ongoing operational support for Operations in Afghanistan (e.g. Op Kipion)

Question 19

Where is 903 EAW and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 19

RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus Provides ongoing operational support for Operations in Iraq & Syria (e.g. Op Shader)

Question 20

Where is 906 EAW and what is its purpose?

Answer 20

Al Minhad Air Base, UAE. provides support to air transport links between the UK and operations in Afghanistan, as well as logistic support to deployed forces and supporting RAF aircraft conducting joint exercises in the region.

Question 21

Where is 905 EAW and what is its purpose?

Answer 21

RAF Mount Pleasant, Falklands islands Support ongoing operations and activities in the south Atlantic.

Question 22

Name the two junior NCOs Name the senior (S)NCOs

Answer 22

Lance Corporal, Corporal Sergeant, flight sergeant, warrant officer

Question 23

All COs and NCOs have specific responsibilities towards juniors in rank. Name the main 4 S E A L

Answer 23

Supervision Encouragement Advice Leadership

Question 24

Name the non-commissioned RAF ranks in order and describe the insignia.

Answer 24

1) AC - none 2) LAC - 2 armed propeller 3) SAC - 3 armed propeller (with circle if tech) 4) Lance Corporal (RAF reg as of 2010) - one chevron 5) Corporal - two chevrons 6) sergeant - three chevrons 7) flight sergeant/chief tech - 3 chev and a crown/4 armed propeller 8) warrant officer - coat of arms Note: Rank insignia for non-commissioned ranks is, with the exception of Warrant Officer and Master Aircrew, worn on the upper arm of dress uniform. Warrant Officer and Master Aircrew badges are worn on the lower arm.

Question 25

Name the commissioned officer ranks in order and describe the insignia.

Answer 25

1) pilot officer - 1 thin line 2) flying officer - 1 thicker line 3) flight lieutenant - 2 thicker lines 4) squadron leader - thin line sandwiched between two thicker 5) wing commander - 3 thicker lines 6) group captain - 4 thicker lines 7) air commodore - thick line 8) Air Vice Marshal - thicker line and thick line 9) Air Marshal - 2 thicker lines and thick line 10) air chief marshal - 3 thicker and 1 thick 11) marshal of the RAF - 4 thicker 2 thick Note: Rank insignia for commissioned ranks is worn on the lower arm of dress uniform.

Question 26

Name the NCA ranks and describe associated insignia.

Answer 26

1) Sergeant Aircrew - 3 chevrons headed with the RAF eagle 2) Flight Sergeant Aircrew - 3 chevrons headed by RAF eagle and sovereign crown 3) Master Aircrew - Wreath closed by Royal Coat of Arms and inset with an RAF Eagle within.

Question 27

What is the order of seniority for the ranks of the RAF, Army and RN.

Answer 27

The Royal Air Force rank will be the junior of the three Services, the Royal Navy having seniority over both the Army and RAF.

Question 28

What is the lowest organisational unit of the RAF and who would usually command such?

Answer 28

A flight, typically commanded by a junior officer (Flt. Lieutenant)

Question 29

A collection of flights make a what?… Which would be commanded by who?

Answer 29

A Squadron, usually composed of 3 flights and commanded by a Squadron Leader.

Question 30

Tell me about 617 squadron

Answer 30

Perhaps the most famous RAF squadron currently flying, 617 Squadron, was formed in 1943 specifically to undertake one operation: the breaching of three enormous dams in the Ruhr that were vital to the German war effort. The Dambusters squadron then flew Lancaster bombers. It now has Lightning F35s and in June 2019 was deployed to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus and carried out the first RAF F-35 operational mission when two Lightnings conducted a patrol over Syria as part of Operation Shader.

Question 31

A series of squadrons form a? and are commanded by?

Answer 31

Wing, commanded by a Wing Commander.

Question 32

These wings make up a? Commanded by a _____ _____ of what rank?

Answer 32

Station, commanded by a station commander, usually the rank of group captain.

Question 33

An RAF station is ordinarily subordinate to a group, which serve what purpose and are commanded by?

Answer 33

Groups are the subdivisions of operational commands; these are responsible for certain types of operation or for operations in limited geographical areas and are commanded by a Senior Officer (Typically an AVM)

Question 34

Tell me more about Wings.

Answer 34

Wings are the administrative units of an RAF station. A typical Royal Air Force flying station (not training) has administrative, engineering and operations wings which can be classified as follows: - Ops Wing - Forward Support Wing - Depth Support Wing - Tactical Imagery Intelligence Wing - Base Support Wing Numbered flying wings have existed in the past, but more recently they have been created as and when necessary, according to operational demand. An expeditionary air wing (EAW) would be made up of aircraft, crew, and support from several squadrons

Question 35

Tell me more about the role of stations

Answer 35

An RAF station is a permanent location. Many are aerodromes or airbases and home to one or more flying units called squadrons. Other stations are training or administrative centers. Most RAF stations are in the UK, but over the years there have been hundreds of others all over the world; wherever British forces have been in action. RAF Akrotiri is in Cyprus; RAF Gibraltar is where it says it is, and RAF Mount Pleasant is in the Falklands. The station commander is usually a group captain.

Question 36

Tell me more about the role of squadrons

Answer 36

The basic fighting unit of the RAF is the squadron. This is roughly the equivalent of an Army regiment. The shape and composition of a squadron varies according to its role. Most flying squadrons are commanded by a Squadron Leader who oversees around 200 personnel and between 12 and 16 aircraft.

Question 37

What is No. 1 Groups mission statement?

Answer 37

“to generate and develop effective combat air power for employment on operations”.

Question 38

What is 22 Group’s Mission Statement?

Answer 38

“Efficiently deliver world-class trained and educated personnel, RAFAT display, RAF sport, and the premier cadet force experience in order to support RAF strategy to meet Defence commitments.”

Question 39

List the “6 pillars” of 22 group.

Answer 39

1. Directorate of Ground Training (DGT) 2. Directorate of Flying Training (DFT) 3. Defense College of Technical Training (DCTT) 4. Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) 5. Royal Air Force College (RAFC) 6. Directorate of RAF Sport (DRS) Through these pillars, 22 Group works with local communities, recruits and selects individuals to join the Service, provides comprehensive training, looks after individuals’ professional development and helps them resettle into civilian life after leaving the Service.

Question 40

What is 2 Groups mission statement?

Answer 40

“To generate, sustain and, when directed, command forces for current operations; and develop forces for future operations.”

Question 41

What is 11 Groups mission statement?

Answer 41

“to understand, control and exploit the battlespace, delivering tactical Air Command and Control of UK Air Policing and Air Counter Terrorism operations while supporting the delivery of Combat Air & Space Power for standing and contingent operations worldwide.”

Question 42

The two reserve air forces are?

Answer 42

The two reserve air forces are?

Question 43

Who is at the very top of our chain of command? Who do they delegate the responsibility of the Armed Forces to? Who do they delegate responsibility of the services to?

Answer 43

The Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II) Parliament Ministry of Defence

Question 44

Increasingly, military operations are being conducted on a tri-service basis. A Permanent __ __ (_ _ _ _) has been established in ____ and has responsibility for the operational command of all UK forces deployed on Joint, National or Coalition operations overseas.

Answer 44

Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ). Northwood.