There have been many units with various tasks in the Royal Air Force (RAF), and they are listed here. A unit is an administrative term for a body, which can be larger or smaller than a flight or squadron, is given a specific mission, but does not warrant the status of being formed as a formal flight or squadron.
Overseas aircraft despatch Overseas aircraft preparation |
Aircraft preparation Other
|
airfield HQ | formed on | formed at | disbanded on | disbanded at | became | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
121 | No. 121 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
122 | No. 122 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
123 | No. 123 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
124 | No. 124 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
125 | No. 125 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
126 | No. 126 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
127 | No. 127 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
128 | No. 128 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
129 | No. 129 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
130 | No. 130 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
131 | No. 131 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
132 | No. 132 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
133 | No. 133 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
134 | No. 134 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
135 | No. 135 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
136 | No. 136 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
137 | No. 137 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
138 | No. 138 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
139 | No. 139 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
140 | No. 140 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
141 | No. 141 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
142 | No. 142 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
143 | No. 143 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
144 | No. 144 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
145 | No. 145 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
146 | No. 146 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
147 | No. 147 Wing RAF | [12] | ||||
148 | No. 148 Wing RAF | [12] | ||||
149 | No. 149 Wing RAF | [12] | ||||
150 | No. 150 Wing RAF | [12] |
|
To hone aircrew weapons skills armament practice camps and stations have been used and these are listed here.
Armament practice camp
unit | previous name | formed at | formed | aircraft | disbanded | disbanded at | history |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 15 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Aldergrove | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Master Miles Martinet de Havilland Dominie I |
1 September 1945 | RAF Aldergrove | |
No. 2 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 16 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Thorney Island | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander III/IIIA Miles Martinet |
1 September 1945 | RAF Bradwell Bay | Absorbed by the Armament Practice Station, Spilsby. |
No. 3 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 18 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Leuchars | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Martinet |
1 September 1945 | RAF Leuchars | |
No. 4 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 19 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Carew Cheriton | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Master II Miles Martinet I |
1 September 1945 | RAF Talbenny |
Armament practice station
Armament training camp
Armament training station
Base | Formed On | Formed At | Disbanded On | Disbanded At | Became | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 71 Base | [17] | ||||
12 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
13 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
14 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
15 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
31 | 73 Base | [17] | ||||
32 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
33 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
41 | 74 Base | [18] | ||||
42 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
43 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
44 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
51 | 75 Base | [18] | ||||
52 | 15 Base | [18] | ||||
53 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
54 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
55 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
56 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
61 (RCAF) | 76 Base | [18] | ||||
62 (RCAF) (Beaver) | RCAF Control | [18] | ||||
63 (RCAF) | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
64 (RCAF) | RCAF Control | [18] | ||||
71 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
72 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
73 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
74 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
75 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
76 (RCAF) | Disbanded | [18] |
|
The RAF have now granted all OCUs Reserve squadron status. [26]
Numbered operational conversion units (OCU)
Ferry units
Ferry crew pools Ferry pilots pools
Ferry pools |
Ferry training units
Other ferry units
|
|
|
In Rhodesia, the Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces, active 1935-39, became the Rhodesian Air Unit, [52] and then the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (1939-40). [52] The SRAF was absorbed into the RAF proper in April 1940 and re-designated No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF. Later the Rhodesian Air Training Group RAF [52] was created.
OTUs were created during World War II to take the pressure off operational squadrons, which previously would have had training Flights. Post war, they became OCUs.
Normal
Other
Numbered other units
Other units
sector | formed on | formed at | disbanded on | disbanded at | became | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 (Northern) | April 1963 | RAF Leconfield | April 1968 | RAF Boulmer | Sector South | [107] |
12 (East Anglia) | April 1963 | RAF Horsham St Faith | April 1968 | Neatishead | Sector North | [107] |
13 (Scotland) | April 1963 | RAF Boulmer | March 1965 | RAF Boulmer | Disbanded into 11 Sector | [107] |
15 | May 1944 | RAF Ford | July 1944 | Martragny | Disbanded | [107] |
17 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Kenley | July 1944 | Crepon | Disbanded | [107] |
18 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Chailey | July 1944 | RAF Chailey | Disbanded | [108] |
19 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Appledram | July 1944 | RAF Appledram | Disbanded | [108] |
20 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Thorney Island | July 1944 | RAF Thorney Island | Disbanded | [108] |
21 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Sopley Park | July 1944 | RAF Ibsley | Disbanded | [108] |
22 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Hurn | July 1944 | Le Fresnoy | Disbanded | [108] |
24 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Wartling | March 1945 | St Denis Westrem | Disbanded into 85 Group Unit | [108] |
25 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Hornchurch | March 1945 | Everburg | Disbanded into 85 Group Operations Room | [108] |
North | April 1968 | RAF Neatishead | January 1992 | RAF Neatishead | Disbanded | [107] |
South | April 1968 | RAF Boulmer | January 1992 | RAF Boulmer | Disbanded | [107] |
Caledonian Sector HQ RAF | October 1951 | RAF Barnton Quarry | November 1957 | RAF Barnton Quarry | Disbanded | [109] |
Eastern Sector HQ RAF | July 1946 | RAF Horsham St Faith | July 1958 | RAF Coltishall | Disbanded | [110] |
Essex Sector HQ RAF | October 1945 | RAF North Weald | June 1946 | RAF North Weald | Metropolitan Sector HQ | [111] |
Fighter Sector Z RAF | September 1943 | Amriya | October 1943 | Amriya | No. 335 Wing | [112] |
Fighter Sector HQ Digby RAF | July 1945 | RAF Blankney | November 1945 | RAF Blankney | Lincolnshire Sector HQ | [113] |
Fighter Sector HQ Exeter RAF | January 1945 | RAF Exeter | November 1945 | RAF Exeter | Western Sector HQ | [114] |
Lincolnshire Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Blankney | July 1946 | RAF Blankney | Eastern Sector HQ | [113] |
Metropolitan Sector HQ RAF | May 1946 | RAF North Weald | November 1957 | RAF North Weald | Disbanded | [115] |
Norfolk Sector HQ RAF | August 1945 | RAF Horsham St Faith | July 1946 | RAF Horsham St Faith | Eastern Sector HQ | [116] |
Northern Sector HQ RAF | December 1950 | RAF Linton-On-Ouse | November 1957 | RAF Church Fenton | Disbanded | [116] |
Scottish Sector HQ RAF | November 1949 | RAF Turnhouse | October 1951 | RAF Leuchars | Station Flight, Caledonian Sector | [107] |
Southern Sector HQ RAF | January 1946 | RAF Nether Wallop | November 1957 | RAF Rudloe Manor | Disbanded | [117] |
South Eastern Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Biggin Hill | June 1946 | RAF North Weald | Metropolitan Sector | [117] |
Western Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Exeter | July 1946 | RAF Exeter | Southern Sector HQ | [114] |
Yorkshire Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Church Fenton | December 1950 | RAF Patrington | Northern Sector HQ | [118] |
|
|
There have been many units with various tasks in the Royal Air Force (RAF), and they are listed here. A unit is an administrative term for a body, which can be larger or smaller than a flight or squadron, is given a specific mission, but does not warrant the status of being formed as a formal flight or squadron.
Overseas aircraft despatch Overseas aircraft preparation |
Aircraft preparation Other
|
airfield HQ | formed on | formed at | disbanded on | disbanded at | became | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
121 | No. 121 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
122 | No. 122 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
123 | No. 123 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
124 | No. 124 Wing RAF | [10] | ||||
125 | No. 125 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
126 | No. 126 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
127 | No. 127 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
128 | No. 128 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
129 | No. 129 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
130 | No. 130 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
131 | No. 131 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
132 | No. 132 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
133 | No. 133 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
134 | No. 134 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
135 | No. 135 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
136 | No. 136 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
137 | No. 137 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
138 | No. 138 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
139 | No. 139 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
140 | No. 140 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
141 | No. 141 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
142 | No. 142 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
143 | No. 143 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
144 | No. 144 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
145 | No. 145 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
146 | No. 146 Wing RAF | [11] | ||||
147 | No. 147 Wing RAF | [12] | ||||
148 | No. 148 Wing RAF | [12] | ||||
149 | No. 149 Wing RAF | [12] | ||||
150 | No. 150 Wing RAF | [12] |
|
To hone aircrew weapons skills armament practice camps and stations have been used and these are listed here.
Armament practice camp
unit | previous name | formed at | formed | aircraft | disbanded | disbanded at | history |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 15 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Aldergrove | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Master Miles Martinet de Havilland Dominie I |
1 September 1945 | RAF Aldergrove | |
No. 2 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 16 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Thorney Island | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander III/IIIA Miles Martinet |
1 September 1945 | RAF Bradwell Bay | Absorbed by the Armament Practice Station, Spilsby. |
No. 3 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 18 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Leuchars | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Martinet |
1 September 1945 | RAF Leuchars | |
No. 4 Armament Practice Camp |
No. 19 Group Armament Practice Camp |
RAF Carew Cheriton | 5 November 1941 |
Westland Lysander IIIA Fairey Battle Miles Master II Miles Martinet I |
1 September 1945 | RAF Talbenny |
Armament practice station
Armament training camp
Armament training station
Base | Formed On | Formed At | Disbanded On | Disbanded At | Became | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 71 Base | [17] | ||||
12 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
13 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
14 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
15 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
31 | 73 Base | [17] | ||||
32 | Disbanded | [17] | ||||
33 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
41 | 74 Base | [18] | ||||
42 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
43 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
44 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
51 | 75 Base | [18] | ||||
52 | 15 Base | [18] | ||||
53 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
54 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
55 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
56 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
61 (RCAF) | 76 Base | [18] | ||||
62 (RCAF) (Beaver) | RCAF Control | [18] | ||||
63 (RCAF) | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
64 (RCAF) | RCAF Control | [18] | ||||
71 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
72 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
73 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
74 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
75 | Disbanded | [18] | ||||
76 (RCAF) | Disbanded | [18] |
|
The RAF have now granted all OCUs Reserve squadron status. [26]
Numbered operational conversion units (OCU)
Ferry units
Ferry crew pools Ferry pilots pools
Ferry pools |
Ferry training units
Other ferry units
|
|
|
In Rhodesia, the Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces, active 1935-39, became the Rhodesian Air Unit, [52] and then the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (1939-40). [52] The SRAF was absorbed into the RAF proper in April 1940 and re-designated No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF. Later the Rhodesian Air Training Group RAF [52] was created.
OTUs were created during World War II to take the pressure off operational squadrons, which previously would have had training Flights. Post war, they became OCUs.
Normal
Other
Numbered other units
Other units
sector | formed on | formed at | disbanded on | disbanded at | became | notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 (Northern) | April 1963 | RAF Leconfield | April 1968 | RAF Boulmer | Sector South | [107] |
12 (East Anglia) | April 1963 | RAF Horsham St Faith | April 1968 | Neatishead | Sector North | [107] |
13 (Scotland) | April 1963 | RAF Boulmer | March 1965 | RAF Boulmer | Disbanded into 11 Sector | [107] |
15 | May 1944 | RAF Ford | July 1944 | Martragny | Disbanded | [107] |
17 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Kenley | July 1944 | Crepon | Disbanded | [107] |
18 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Chailey | July 1944 | RAF Chailey | Disbanded | [108] |
19 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Appledram | July 1944 | RAF Appledram | Disbanded | [108] |
20 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Thorney Island | July 1944 | RAF Thorney Island | Disbanded | [108] |
21 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Sopley Park | July 1944 | RAF Ibsley | Disbanded | [108] |
22 (Fighter) | May 1944 | RAF Hurn | July 1944 | Le Fresnoy | Disbanded | [108] |
24 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Wartling | March 1945 | St Denis Westrem | Disbanded into 85 Group Unit | [108] |
25 (Base Defence) | May 1944 | RAF Hornchurch | March 1945 | Everburg | Disbanded into 85 Group Operations Room | [108] |
North | April 1968 | RAF Neatishead | January 1992 | RAF Neatishead | Disbanded | [107] |
South | April 1968 | RAF Boulmer | January 1992 | RAF Boulmer | Disbanded | [107] |
Caledonian Sector HQ RAF | October 1951 | RAF Barnton Quarry | November 1957 | RAF Barnton Quarry | Disbanded | [109] |
Eastern Sector HQ RAF | July 1946 | RAF Horsham St Faith | July 1958 | RAF Coltishall | Disbanded | [110] |
Essex Sector HQ RAF | October 1945 | RAF North Weald | June 1946 | RAF North Weald | Metropolitan Sector HQ | [111] |
Fighter Sector Z RAF | September 1943 | Amriya | October 1943 | Amriya | No. 335 Wing | [112] |
Fighter Sector HQ Digby RAF | July 1945 | RAF Blankney | November 1945 | RAF Blankney | Lincolnshire Sector HQ | [113] |
Fighter Sector HQ Exeter RAF | January 1945 | RAF Exeter | November 1945 | RAF Exeter | Western Sector HQ | [114] |
Lincolnshire Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Blankney | July 1946 | RAF Blankney | Eastern Sector HQ | [113] |
Metropolitan Sector HQ RAF | May 1946 | RAF North Weald | November 1957 | RAF North Weald | Disbanded | [115] |
Norfolk Sector HQ RAF | August 1945 | RAF Horsham St Faith | July 1946 | RAF Horsham St Faith | Eastern Sector HQ | [116] |
Northern Sector HQ RAF | December 1950 | RAF Linton-On-Ouse | November 1957 | RAF Church Fenton | Disbanded | [116] |
Scottish Sector HQ RAF | November 1949 | RAF Turnhouse | October 1951 | RAF Leuchars | Station Flight, Caledonian Sector | [107] |
Southern Sector HQ RAF | January 1946 | RAF Nether Wallop | November 1957 | RAF Rudloe Manor | Disbanded | [117] |
South Eastern Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Biggin Hill | June 1946 | RAF North Weald | Metropolitan Sector | [117] |
Western Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Exeter | July 1946 | RAF Exeter | Southern Sector HQ | [114] |
Yorkshire Sector HQ RAF | November 1945 | RAF Church Fenton | December 1950 | RAF Patrington | Northern Sector HQ | [118] |
|
|