List of Royal Air Force units & establishments

There have been many Units with various tasks in the Royal Air Force and they are listed here. A unit is an administrative 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.

A

Aircraft training units

Aircraft units

Advanced Flying Units

Anti-aircraft units
Main article: List of Anti-Aircraft units of the Royal Air Force

Armament Practice and Training Units

To hone aircrew weapons skills armament practice camps and stations have been used and these are listed here.

Armament Practice Camp

UnitPrevious nameFormed atFormedAircraftDisbandedDisbanded atHistory
No. 1 Armament
Practice Camp		No. 15 Group Armament
Practice Camp		RAF Aldergrove5 November 1941Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA
Fairey Battle
Miles Master
Miles Martinet
de Havilland Dominie I		1 September 1945RAF Aldergrove
No. 2 Armament
Practice Camp		No. 16 Group Armament
Practice Camp		RAF Thorney Island5 November 1941Westland Lysander III/IIIA
Miles Martinet		1 September 1945RAF Bradwell BayAbsorbed by the Armament Practice Station, Spilsby.
No. 3 Armament
Practice Camp		No. 18 Group Armament
Practice Camp		RAF Leuchars5 November 1941Westland Lysander II/III/IIIA
Fairey Battle
Miles Martinet		1 September 1945RAF Leuchars
No. 4 Armament
Practice Camp		No. 19 Group Armament
Practice Camp		RAF Carew Cheriton5 November 1941Westland Lysander IIIA
Fairey Battle
Miles Master II
Miles Martinet I		1 September 1945RAF Talbenny
No. 11 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 12 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 13 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 14 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 15 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 16 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 17 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 18 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 20 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 21 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 22 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 23 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 24 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 25 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 26 Armament
Practice Camp
No. 27 Armament
Practice Camp
Armament Practice Camp,
Butterworth
Armament Practice Camp
(Middle East Air Force)
Armament Practice Camp,
Sylt

Armament Practice Station

UnitPrevious nameFormed atFormedAircraftDisbandedDisbanded atHistory
Armament Practice Station, Lübeck
Armament Practice Station, Spilsby
Armament Practice Station, Sylt
No. 1 Armament Practice Station RAF
No. 2 Armament Practice Station RAF
No. 3 Armament Practice Station RAF

Armament Training Camp

UnitPrevious nameFormed atFormedAircraftDisbandedDisbanded atHistory
No. 1 Armament Training Camp, Kuantan
No. 1 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 2 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 3 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 4 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 5 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 6 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 7 Armament Training Camp RAF
No. 8 Armament Training Camp RAF

Armament Training Station

UnitPrevious nameFormed atFormedAircraftDisbandedDisbanded atHistory
No. 1 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 1 Armament Training Station (France) RAF
No. 2 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 3 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 4 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 5 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 6 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 7 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 8 Armament Training Station RAF
No. 9 Armament Training Station RAF
  • No. 1 Armament Training Unit RAF
  • Fighter Command Missile Practice Camp RAF
  • No. 15 Group Armament Practice Camp RAF
  • No. 16 Group Armament Practice Camp RAF
  • No. 18 Group Armament Practice Camp RAF
  • No. 19 Group Armament Practice Camp RAF
  • Middle East Air Force Armament Practice Camp
  • Temporary Armament Training Camp, Aldergrove
  • Temporary Armament Training Camp, Flimstone
  • Temporary Armament Training Camp, Leuchars
  • Temporary Armament Training Camp, North Coates Fitties
  • Temporary Armament Training Station, Leuchars
  • Temporary Armament Training Station, North Coates Fitties

B

Beach units

Beam approach beacon system
Main article: List of Beam approach beacon system units

C

Command level units

Communications
Main article: List of Royal Air Force Communication units

Conversion Units

The RAF have now granted all OCUs Reserve squadron status.[1]

Operational Conversion Units (OCU)
  • All-Weather Operational Conversion Unit RAF
  • Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit RAF

Numbered Operational Conversion Units (OCU)

Numbered Conversion Units
  • No. 5 Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit, Lydda
  • No. 21 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 22 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 23 Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1330 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1331 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1332 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1333 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1334 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1335 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1336 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1380 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1381 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1382 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1383 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1384 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1385 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1584 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1651 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1652 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1653 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1654 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1655 Mosquito Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1656 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1657 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1658 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1659 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1660 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1661 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1662 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1663 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1664 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1665 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1666 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1667 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1668 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1669 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1670 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1671 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1672 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1673 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1674 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1675 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1678 Conversion Unit RAF
  • No. 1699 Conversion Unit RAF
Other Conversion Units

E

Establishments

F

Ferry units

Foreign Air Arms

Maintenance Units
Main article: List of Royal Air Force Maintenance units

Operational Training Units (OTU)
Main article: List of Royal Air Force Operational Training Units

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

Coastal

Normal

  • 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 36, 41, 42, 43, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 & 86.

Other

  • 70 (Middle East)
  • 80 (French)
  • 101 (Glider)
  • 102 (Glider)
  • 104 (Transport)
  • 105 (Transport)
  • 107 (Transport)
  • 108 (Transport)
  • 109 (Transport)
  • 151 (Fighter)
  • 152 (Fighter)
  • No. 1 Operational Training Unit, India

Other Units

Pools

  • No. 1 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF
  • No. 2 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF
  • No. 1 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 2 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 3 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 4 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 5 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 11 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 12 Group Pool RAF
  • No. 1 Pupil Pilots Pool RAF
  • No. 2 Pupil Pilots Pool RAF
  • No. 3 Pupil Pilots Pool RAF
  • Aircrew Transit Pool RAF
  • Pilots and Aircrew Pool RAF
  • Pilots Reinforcement and Reserve Pool RAF
  • Pool of Pilots, Joyce Green RAF
  • Pool of Pilots, Manston RAF
  • Pupil Pilots Pool RAF
  • Pilot Training Unit and Reinforcement Pool RAF
  • Reinforcement and Reserve Pool RAF
  • Training Unit and Reserve Pool RAF

Photographic Reconnaissance

Other units

  • 'Q' Unit RAF
  • 'Z' Unit, British Somaliland RAF
  • No. 1 Aeronautical Information Documents Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (North Africa) RAF
  • No. 1 Auxiliary Embarkation Unit RAF
  • No. 1 British Airways Repair Unit (Middle East) RAF
  • No. 1 British Airways Repair Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Camouflage Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Delivery Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Engine Consumption Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Engine Control Demonstration Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Fighter Support Training Unit RAF
  • No. 1 General Reconnaissance Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Grading Unit (Airwork) RAF
  • No. 1 Heavy Glider Servicing Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Practice Flying Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Royal Air Force Film Production Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF
  • No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Auxiliary Embarkation Unit RAF
  • No. 2 British Airways Repair Unit (Middle East) RAF
  • No. 2 Camouflage Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF
  • No. 2 General Reconnaissance Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Grading Unit (Airwork) RAF
  • No. 2 Group Support Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Tactical Weapons Unit RAF
  • No. 2 Torpedo Training Unit RAF
  • No. 3 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF
  • No. 3 Auxiliary Embarkation Unit RAF
  • No. 3 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF
  • No. 3 Fighter Support Training Unit RAF
  • No. 3 General Reconnaissance Unit RAF
  • No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF
  • No. 4 Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF
  • No. 4 Tactical Exercise Unit RAF
  • No. 11 (Landplane) Aircraft Preparation and Modification Unit RAF
  • No. 11 (Landplane) Preparation and Modification Unit RAF
  • No. 12 (Flying Boat) Aircraft Preparation and Modification Unit RAF
  • No. 12 (Flying Boat) Preparation and Modification Unit RAF
  • No. 81 Auxiliary Embarkation Unit RAF
  • No. 82 Auxiliary Embarkation Unit RAF
  • No. 83 Embarkation Unit RAF
  • No. 83 Group Support Unit RAF
  • No. 84 Group Support Unit RAF
  • No. 88 Group Support Unit RAF
  • No. 201 Crew Training Unit RAF
  • No. 202 Crew Training Unit RAF
  • No. 203 Crew Training Unit RAF
  • No. 204 Crew Training Unit RAF
  • 2nd Tactical Air Force Air Sea Rescue Unit RAF
  • 2nd Tactical Air Force Development Unit RAF
  • 2nd Tactical Air Force Support Unit RAF
  • Advanced Flying Training Unit RAF
  • Advanced Flying Unit, Sétif RAF
  • Air Combat Development Unit (Middle East) RAF
  • Air Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operational Evaluation Unit RAF
  • Air Defence Co-operation Unit RAF
  • Air Defence Unit, Tanganyika RAF
  • Air Fighting Development Unit RAF
  • Air Fighting Training Unit RAF
  • Air Gunnery Training Unit RAF
  • Air Ministry Servicing Development Unit RAF
  • Air Movements Development Unit RAF
  • Air Photographic Development Unit RAF
  • Air Pilotage Unit RAF
  • Air Transport Development Centre (India) RAF
  • Air Transport Development Unit RAF
  • Air Transport Tactical Development Unit RAF
  • Air-Sea Rescue Training Unit RAF
  • Air-Sea warfare Development Unit (ACSEA) RAF
  • Air-Sea warfare Development Unit RAF
  • Airborne Forces Research Centre (India) RAF
  • Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit RAF
  • Aircraft Delivery Unit RAF
  • Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit RAF
  • Aircrew Testing and Grading Unit RAF
  • Airwork Grading Unit RAF
  • Armament Support Unit RAF
  • Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia RAF
  • Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit RAF
  • Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit RAF
  • Armament Experimental Station RAF
  • Army Co-operation Development Unit RAF
  • Beam Approach Development Unit RAF
  • Blind Approach Training and Development Unit RAF
  • Blind Landing Detachment RAF
  • Blind Landing Experimental Unit
  • Bomb Ballistic and Blind Landing Experimental Unit RAF
  • Bomb Ballistic Unit RAF
  • Bomber Development Unit RAF
  • Bomber Support Development Unit RAF
  • Bombing Development Unit RAF
  • Bombing Trials Unit RAF
  • British Airways Repair Unit (Middle East)
  • British Airways Training Unit
  • Central Interpretation Unit
  • Civil Defence Camouflage Unit RAF
  • Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit RAF
  • Coast Defence Development Unit RAF
  • Electronic Warfare and Avionics Unit RAF
  • Enemy Aircraft Storage and Servicing Unit RAF
  • Engine Consumption Unit RAF
  • Experimental Air Ambulance Service RAF
  • Experimental Co-operation Unit RAF
  • Far East Tactical Development Unit RAF
  • Far East Training Squadron RAF
  • Fast Jet and Weapons Operational Evaluation Unit
  • Fighter Affiliation Training Unit RAF
  • Fighter Armament Trials Unit RAF
  • Fighter Interception Development Unit RAF
  • Fighter Interception Unit
  • Fleet Requirements Unit
  • Floatplane Training Unit RAF
  • Flying Boat Practice Camp RAF
  • GEE (TR1335) Training Unit RAF
  • Glider Exercise Unit
  • Glider Pilot Exercise Unit RAF
  • Glider Training Unit RAF
  • Gransden Lodge Navigation Training Unit RAF
  • Gremlin Task Force – Japanese aircraft and crew transport operations[3]
  • Ground Attack Training Unit RAF
  • Gunnery Research Unit RAF
  • Helicopter Development Unit RAF
  • Instant Readiness Reserve Unit RAF
  • Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit
  • Joint Air Transport Evaluation Unit
  • Joint Concealment Centre (Royal Air Force Component) RAF
  • Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit RAF
  • Joint Forward Air Controller Training and Standards Unit
  • Jungle Target Research Unit RAF
  • Long-Range Development Unit RAF
  • Loran Training Unit RAF
  • Majunga Detachment Support Unit RAF
  • Marine Aircraft Experimental Unit RAF
  • Merchant Ship Fighter Unit
  • Middle East Advanced Crew Training Unit RAF
  • Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit
  • Mobile Catering Support Unit RAF
  • Navigation Training Unit RAF
  • Night Fighter Unit, Malta RAF
  • Night Ground Attack Trials Unit RAF
  • Operational and Refresher Training Unit RAF
  • Overseas Experimental Unit RAF
  • Parachute Test Unit RAF
  • Pathfinder Navigation Training Unit RAF
  • Photographic Development Unit RAF
  • Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit RAF
  • Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
  • Pilot Refresher Training Unit RAF
  • Pilotless Aircraft Unit RAF
  • Radar Research Flying Unit RAF
  • Radio Engineering Unit RAF
  • Research and Development Unit RAF
  • Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – 'The Red Arrows'
  • Royal Air Force Element, Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia
  • Royal Air Force Element, Helicopter Development Unit
  • Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
  • Royal Air Force Film Unit
  • Search and Rescue Training Unit
  • Special Avionics Servicing Unit RAF
  • Special Duties (Radio) Development Unit RAF
  • Special Installation Unit RAF
  • Staff Pilot Training Unit RAF
  • Strategic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
  • Strike Attack Operational Evaluation Unit (SAOEU)
  • Strike Command Development Unit RAF
  • Survival and Rescue Training Unit
  • Tactical and Weapon Development Unit RAF
  • Tactical Weapons Unit RAF
  • Target Towing Section, Shallufa RAF
  • Telecommunications Flying Unit RAF
  • Torpedo Development Section RAF
  • Torpedo Development Unit RAF
  • Torpedo Training Unit RAF
  • Transport Support Practice Camp (BAFO) RAF
  • Transport Support Practice Camp RAF
  • Transport Support Training Unit RAF
  • Tropical Experimental Unit RAF
  • Wireless Development Unit RAF
  • Wireless Intelligence Development Unit RAF
  • Wireless Testing Park RAF

Refresher Flying Units

Signals Units
Main article: List of communications units and formations of the Royal Air Force

Training Wings

See also

References

Citations
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 December 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Flight 6 December 1945 p612". flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.

Bibliography
  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
  • Lake, Alan. "Flying Units of the RAF".Airlife Publishing. Shrewsbury. 1999. ISBN 1-84037-086-6
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