The Royal Air Force 2300AD
Order of Battle, 2303
Introduction
The RAF is divided into operational Commands, each of which has a specific role to cover. A varying number of squadrons are then assigned to each Command to fulfil its mission. The RAF has one permanent overseas unit, No.4 Group, which is tasked with the defence of Britain's South Atlantic territories as well as several off-world Groups. There are also a number of Joint Tactical Air Groups which are independent expeditionary air units formed from seconded Royal Navy and RAF Squadrons. These are formed predominantly for off-world service and three of these have seen action in the Kafer War. However the RAF remains a service whose main effort is on Earth.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to David Gillon, Bryn Monnery and Peter Grining for feedback and ideas.
Fighter
Command
Strike Command
Bomber Command
Coastal Command
Transport Command
Training Command
Orbital Command
Defence Command
No.4 Group
No.22 Group
No.23 Group
No.24 Group
No.25 Group
No.35 Group
Fighter Command operates in support of the RAF's main role. The defence of the British Isles. Fighter Command is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the United Kingdom's air space, an area which is defined rather hazily. This leads to the occasional dispute with Britain's neighbours. Fighter Command has two main aircraft types, Fury F.3 fighters and Lightning F.5 interceptors. It also has four squadrons of Gladiator DF.5 unmanned fighters for point defence duties.
The Fury aircraft protect the south of the country, where their greater agility is expected to be more use. The Lightning aircraft are tasked for long range protection across the North Sea and out into the Atlantic. The Gladiators are retained for the defence of airfields and other key points. Guardian AEW aircraft in combination with Vulcan AEW drones direct the interceptors, whilst tankers from Transport Command provide air-to-air refuelling. The Furies and Lightnings have a secondary ASAT role, being able to launch orbital interdiction weaponry. Fighter Command also has three static long range SAM/Rapid Fire Laser squadrons which can tackle a range of threats including missile attacks and orbital strikes.
Fighter Command can be reinforced by aircraft from Strike Command or Fleet Air Arm. The latter is routine when Carrier Air Wings are ashore in the United Kingdom. Currently 56 Squadron is serving with JTAG-3 on New Africa.
No.10 Group
No.601
Squadron, (Gladiator DF.5, 18 aircraft) RAF Honington, England
No.602 Squadron, (Gladiator DF.5, 18 aircraft) RAF Leuchars,
Scotland
No.609 Squadron, (Gladiator DF.5, 18 aircraft) RAF Leeming,
England
No.614 Squadron, (Gladiator DF.5, 18 aircraft) RAF St Mawgan,
England
No.11 Group
No.29 Squadron,
(Fury F.3) RAF Finningley, England
No.43 (F) Squadron, (Fury F.3) RAF Coningsby, England
No.111 (F) Squadron, (Fury F.3) RAF Finningley, England
No.12 Group
No.5 (AC)
Squadron, (Lightning F.5) RAF Leeming, England
No.XI (B) Squadron, (Lightning F.5) RAF Leuchars, Scotland
No.92 Squadron, (Lightning F.5) RAF Leeming, England
No.13 Group
No.23 Squadron,
(Guardian AEW.1) RAF Waddington, England
No.600 Squadron,
(Vulcan DAEW.3, 18 aircraft) RAF Waddington, England
No.603 Squadron, (Vulcan DAEW.3, 18 aircraft) RAF Leuchars,
Scotland
No.14 Group
No.531
Squadron, (Laser/Missile Defence) Location classified
No.533 Squadron, (Laser/Missile Defence) Location classified
No.534 Squadron, (Laser/Missile Defence) Location classified
Wing HQs
No.17 (Fighter)
Wing, RAF Finningley, England
No.21 (Fighter) Wing,
RAF Leeming, England
No.149 (Fighter) Wing,
RAF Leuchars, Scotland
Detached Units
No.25 (F)
Squadron, (Lightning F.5) 4 Group, Falkland Islands
No.56 Squadron, (Fury F.3) JTAG-3, New Africa
Strike Command provides air combat support to the British Army. It has a mixture of Fury F.3 and Tempest GR.1 aircraft as well as Guardian AEW control aircraft. Strike Command is often called upon to deploy aircraft with the JTAGs. 3 and 4 Squadrons and a detachment from 8 Squadron saw action on Beta Canum with JTAG-2 during the Invasion and have since returned to Earth. Strike Command is also on high readiness to reinforce No.4 Group in the South Atlantic if tensions with Argentina rise again.
Currently 1, 20 and 100 Squadrons are deployed with the JTAGs on New Africa along with a detachment from 51 Squadron. 6 Squadron is deployed to New Cornwall on Joi. Several pilots from Strike Command have been seconded to the air forces of Alicia and New Africa. Due to the pace of operations Strike Command is seriously understrength in the British Isles and should a crisis arise on Earth much of the burden would fall upon the RN.
No.1 Group
No.3 (F)
Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) RAF Wittering, England
No.4 (AC) Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) RAF Wittering, England
No.2 Group
No.8 Squadron,
(Guardian AEW. 1, 8 aircraft) RAF Waddington, England (Elements
with 4 Group)
No.51 Squadron, (Guardian AEW. 1, 8 aircraft) RAF Marham,
England (Elements in New Africa)
No.604 Squadron,
(Vulcan DAEW.3, 24 aircraft) RAF Waddington, England
No.9 Group
No.19 Squadron,
(Fury F.3) RAF Coningsby, England
No.54 (F) Squadron, (Fury F.3) RAF Marham, England
Wing HQs
No.86 (Strike)
Wing, RAF Marham, England
No.189 (Strike) Wing,
RAF Wittering, England
Detached Units
No.1 (Strike)
Wing JTAG-4, New Africa
No.1 (F) Squadron,
(Tempest GR.1) JTAG-4, New Africa
No.6 Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) 20 Group, New Cornwall
No.16 Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) 4 Group, British South Atlantic
Territories
No.20 Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) JTAG-3, New Africa
No.41 (F) Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) RAF St. Peters, Wellon
No.74 Squadron, (Fury F.3) 4 Group, Falkland Islands
No.100 Squadron, (Fury F.3) JTAG-4, New Africa
Elements
of 8 and 51 Squadrons
Bomber Command is tasked with British strategic force projection around the world, while the Royal Navy supplies tactical force projection from its carrier fleet. Bomber Commands aircraft carry a range of munitions from conventional cruise missiles to tactical nuclear devices. In addition Bomber Command has a range of assets for strategic reconnaissance to supplement the capabilities of the wide range of satellites in British service.
Bomber Command's main aircraft are the Vanguard B.2 and the Mosquito RB.1. It also uses converted Artemis R.1 for photographic reconnaissance and Artemis R.2 for electronic and signals intelligence gathering purposes. A detachment of Mosquitos of 618 Squadron operated to great effect on New Africa during the Invasion, these have been replaced by a detachment from 617 Squadron.
No.8 (Pathfinder) Group
No.617
Squadron, (Mosquito RB.1) RAF Scampton, England (Elements New
Africa)
No.618 Squadrons, (Mosquito RB.1) RAF Scampton, England
No.627 Squadron, (Mosquito RB.1) RAF Marham, England
No.5 Group
No.II (AC)
Squadron, (Vanguard B.2) RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland
No.IX (B) Squadron, (Vanguard B.2) RAF Cottesmore, England
No.12 (B) Squadron, (Vanguard B.2) RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland
No.XV Squadron, (Vanguard B.2) RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland
No.31 Squadrons, (Vanguard B.2) RAF Cottesmore, England
No.6 Group
No. 39
(1 PRU) Squadron, (Artemis R.1 3 aircraft, Artemis R.2 6 aircraft)
RAF Waddington, England
No. 606 Squadron,
(Prometheus DR.7 24 aircraft) RAF Waddington, England
Wing HQs
No.2 (Bomber)
Wing, RAF Scampton, England
No.24 (Bomber) Wing,
RAF Waddington, England
No.75 (Bomber) Wing,
RAF Cottesmore, England
No.242 (Bomber) Wing,
RAF Lossiemouth, England
Detached Units
Elements 617 Squadron, JTAG-3, New Africa
Coastal Command is in charge of the maritime protection of the United Kingdom. As such its primary assets are its Artemis MRS.3 aircraft that can detect, identify and destroy a whole range of surface and sub-surface targets as well as being able to protect itself from individual roving aircraft. Artemis crews are normally joint crews, with RN personnel serving alongside their RAF counterparts. Four squadrons are deployed around the British Isles, one squadron is deployed in the South Atlantic and one squadron provides detachments to Hong Kong, Indian Ocean, Gibraltar and other locations.
In addition the RAF provides half of the United Kingdom's Search and Rescue assets with its Osprey R.1 tilt-rotor craft. In times of emergency these craft can also perform anti-submarine warfare tasks. 207 Squadron is tasked with being Coastal Command's SAR reserve, however it also has the role of Combat Search and Rescue and detachments from 207 accompany Strike Command aircraft when on deployment.
No.18 Group
No.42 Squadron,
(Artemis MRS.3) RAF Kinloss, Scotland
No.120 Squadron, (Artemis MRS.3) RAF Kinloss, Scotland
No.201 Squadron, (Artemis MRS.3) RAF St Mawgan, England
No.206 Squadron,
(Artemis MRS.3) RAF Dungarven, Ireland
No.7 Group
No.204 Squadron,
(Artemis MRS.3) RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
No.209 Squadron, (Artemis MRS.3) Various detachments
No.3 Group
No.202 Squadron,
(Osprey R.1) RAF St. Mawgan, England
No.203 Squadron, (Osprey R.1) RAF Boulmer, England
No.207 Squadron, (Osprey R.1) RAF Finningley, England
No.230 Squadron, (Osprey R.1) RAF Dungarven, Ireland
Wing HQs
No.27 (Coastal)
Wing, RAF Kinloss, Scotland
No.237 (Coastal) Wing,
RAF St Mawgan, Scotland
No.325 (Coastal) Wing,
RAF Mount Pleasant, Falklands Islands
Transport Command provides British forces with a range of services. The bulk of the force is dedicated to airlift of British forces, both at a tactical and strategic level. The perennial Atlas C.5 is the in-theatre workhorse, whilst the heavy Anglo-French SLA (Strategic Lift Aircraft) Constellation equips three squadrons of aircraft. A further squadron is equipped with converted Lincoln airliners for comfortable movement of personnel and cargo.
Transport Command also controls the Royal Air Force's tanker fleet. These assets are normally deployed to the other Commands especially Fighter and Bomber Commands. Manned tanker aircraft are used in support of Bomber Command, whilst drones are used for more routine tasks. Strike Command operates tactically in support of the Army and so rarely requires tanker support.
Lastly there are two VIP transport squadrons. 32 (Royal) Squadron is responsible for the air transport of members of the Royal Family, as such it has a range of aircraft from helicopters, to business jets to a Swift Transatmospheric cruiser. It is not uncommon for the Royals to take the controls of these aircraft themselves.18 Squadron performs the same role for members of the government and senior military officers from all the services, although in slightly less plush surroundings.
No.19 Group
No.17 Squadron,
(Atlas C.5) RAF Mount Pleasant, England
No.24 Squadron, (Atlas C.5) RAF Lyneham, England
No.47 Squadron, (Atlas C.5) RAF Thule, Greenland
No.57 Squadron, (Atlas C.5) RAF Lyneham, England
No.70 Squadron, (Atlas C.5) RAF Lyneham, England
No.15 Group
No.10 Squadron,
(Constellation C.1) RAF Lyneham, England
No.30 Squadron, (Constellation C.1) RAF Lyneham, England
No.101 Squadron, (Constellation C.1) RAF Lyneham, England
No.60 Squadron,
(Lincoln C.2) RAF Brize Norton, England
No.216 Squadron, (Lincoln C.2) RAF Brize Norton, England
No.17 Group
No.22 Squadron,
(Lincoln K.1) RAF Brize Norton, England
No.33 Squadron, (Lincoln K.1) RAF Brize Norton, England
No.72 Squadron, (Lincoln K.1) RAF Brize Norton, England
No.605 Squadron,
(Victor DK.4 24 aircraft) RAF Brize Norton, England
No.610 Squadron, (Victor DK.4 24 aircraft) RAF Brize Norton,
England
No.611 Squadron, (Victor DK.4) RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland
Islands
No.20 Group
No.32 (The
Royal) Squadron, (VIP aircraft) RAF Northholt, England
No.18 Squadron, (VIP aircraft) RAF Brize Norton, England
Wing HQs
No.107 (Transport)
Wing, RAF Lyneham, England
No.110 (Transport)
Wing, RAF Lyneham, England
No.112 (Transport)
Wing, RAF Lyneham, England
No.109 (Transport)
Wing, RAF Brize Norton, England
No.114 (Transport)
Wing, RAF Brize Norton, England
No.115 (Transport)
Wing, RAF Brize Norton, England
Training Command has a vital function within the RAF for both flight and tactical training as well as ensuring pilots transfer on to new aircraft types successfully. Joint Basic Flight Training for RAF and RN flight crew takes place on propeller driven aircraft at No.1 and No.2 Flight Training Schools at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and RAF Cranwell. Fast jet training is conducted at No.3 FTS at RAF Valley in Wales. Multi-engine training is undertaken by No.4 FTS also at RAF Cranwell. Search and rescue training is conducted at Fleet Air Arm training establishments. It also has oversight of RAF's University and air experience units and the Commonwealth Flight Testing Facility .
Training Command also has responsibility for ensuring that pilots are trained in the use of the aircraft they will be flying at their squadrons. This is the responsibility of the Operational Conversion Units, which are in most circumstances co-located with operational squadrons. In time of war the OCU form an extra reserve of planes and aircraft will be flown by the instructors.
The final task of training command is in the operational training of active duty squadrons. This is conducted in three places; Canada, Brazil and Wellon. Training at these locations is conducted by multi-type British squadrons in the aggressor role as well as with the help of local forces.
No.52 Group
No.1 Flight
Training School, RAF Linton-on-Ouse, England
No.2 Flight Training School, RAF Cranwell, England
No.3 Flight Training School, RAF Valley, Wales
No.4 Flight Training School, RAF Cranwell, England
No.50 Group
No.4 OCU
(Lightning F.5 12 aircraft) RAF Leeming, England
No.5 OCU (Fury F.3 24 aircraft) RAF Coningsby, England
No.6 OCU (Tempest GR.1 24 aircraft) RAF Wittering, England
No.51 Group
No.1651
OCU (Mosquito RB.1 4 aircraft) RAF Scampton, England
No.1652 OCU (Vanguard B.2 12 aircraft)RAF Cottesmore, England
No.132 OCU (Artemis MRS.3 8 aircraft) RAF Kinloss, Scotland
No.54 Group
No.301
Squadron, Goose Bay, Canada
No.302 Squadron, Manaus, Brazil
No.303 Squadron, Colenso, Wellon (OpCom 2 Group, Wellon)
The RAF has responsibility for the UK's Anti-satellite and anti-ballistic missile defences, this includes the satellite and radar tracking resources required to target these objectives. The main weapon are the Phoenix ASAT missiles controlled by three Squadrons of the RAF Regiment. Two of these squadrons are located at silos across the British Isles, the third squadron is equipped with mobile launchers which can be deployed virtually anywhere.
A final responsibility of Orbital Command is for orbital lift provided for by two squadrons of Landers. Although the Royal Space Corps has the primary responsibility for this role the RAF retains some capability.
No.21 (RAF Regiment) Group
No.1 Wing,
(Pheonix ASAT) RAF Honigton, England
No.5 Squadron, (Pheonix ASAT) RAF Pickering, England
No.6 Squadron, (Pheonix ASAT) RAF Brecon, Wales
No.51 Squadron, (Pheonix ASAT) RAF Catterick, England
No.16 Group
No.7 Squadron,
(Fife IC.2) RAF Lyneham, England
No.27 Squadron,
(Sword IC.3) RAF Brize Norton, England
Defence Command is responsible for the defence of RAF bases, both permanent and temporary facilities. The Command is manned primarily by airman-soldiers of the RAF Regiment and reservists of the RAuxAF Regiment. These are responsible for last ditch close in air defence of the bases and the defence of them on the ground. The Command also has oversight of RAF Police and fire services as well as RAF Regiment specialist units.
No.34 (RAF Regiment) Group
No.2 Wing,
(Field Wing) RAF Honington, England
No.1 Squadron, RAF Honington, England
No.3 Squadron, RAF St. Peters, Wellon
No.34 Squadron, RAF Waddington, England
No.33 Wing,
(Field Wing) RAF Catterick, England
No.2 Squadron, RAF Leeming, England
No.63 Squadron, RAF Leuchars, Scotland
No.35 Squadron, RAF Dungarven, Ireland
No.30 (RAuxAF Regiment) Group
No.5 Wing,
(Field Wing) RAF Honington, England
No.2503(Lincolnshire) Squadron, RAF Waddington, England
No.2620(Norfolk) Squadron, RAF Marham, England
No.2622(Highland) Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland
No.6 Wing,
(Field Wing) RAF Wittering, England
No.2623(East Anglia) Squadron, RAF Honington, England
No.2623(Oxfordshire) Squadron, RAF Brize Norton, England
No.2625(Cornwall) Squadron, RAF St. Mawgan, England
No.33 (RAF Regiment) Group
No.7 Wing,
(Special Duties) RAF Uxbridge, England
Queen's Colour Squadron,
RAF Uxbridge, England
No.58 Squadron, RAF
Hereford, England
No.66 Squadron, RAF
Stafford England
No.31 (RAF Regiment) Group
No.3 Wing,
(Air Defence) RAF Honington, England
No.15 Squadron, RAF Honington England
No.16 Squadron, RAF Wittering, England
No.27 Squadron, RAF Marham, England
No.4 Wing,
(Air Defence) RAF Catterick, England
No.26 Squadron, RAF Kinloss, Scotland
No.37 Squadron, RAF Finningley, England
No.48 Squadron, RAF Coningsby, England
No.7 Wing
(RAuxAF Regiment), (Air Defence) RAF Catterick, England
No.2626(Wales) Squadron, RAF Valley, Wales
No.2627(Wiltshire) Squadron, RAF Lyneham, England
No.2628 (North Riding) Squadron, RAF Leeming, England
4 Group has the task of defending the airspace of the British South Atlantic Territories and providing air support to local British Army forces. It operates in conjunction with the carrier air groups of the Royal Navy's Atlantic Fleet. 4 Group concentrates on the provision of air defence to the Falklands and air support to the isolated 49th Armoured Group which garrisons the Antarctic areas. There are also detachments for ASW, refuelling and troop movement but these operate under different chains of command. The Group is manned by squadrons detached in rotation from the various Commands.
No.8 Squadron,
(Guardian AEW.1 4 aircraft) RAF Mount Pleasant, Falklands Islands
No.16 Squadron,
(Tempest GR.1) RAF Ross Island, British South Atlantic Territories
No.25 Squadron,
(Lightning F.5) RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
No.74 Squadron,
(Fury F.3) RAF Mount Pleasant, Falklands
No.530 Squadron,
(Laser/Missile Defence) Classified
No.612 Squadron,
(Gladiator DF.5 24 aircraft), RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
(detachment to RNAS Grytviken)
No.615 Squadron,
(Vulcan DAEW.3 12 aircraft) RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands
22 Group is located in New Africa on Beta Canum-4. It is currently responsible for the administrative support of RAF and RN units comprising JTAG-3 and JTAG-4.
23 Group is based in Alicia on Beowulf. The Group currently has no operational squadrons under command, however it is responsible for supplying RAF units further up the French Arm.
24 Group is the RAF's presence on Crater. It is a small HQ with no major assets.
This Group is based on Joi in the colony of New Cornwall. It is a small group but has taken on an overview role covering civil aviation as well as its own assets. The Group has requested reinforcement but it has been bottom of the RAF's list of priorities. It relies on aviation assets from the neighbouring Azanian colony.
No.6 Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) RAF Manson, New Cornwall
No.210 Squadron, (Artemis MRS.3 6 aircraft) RAF Manson, New Cornwall
35 Group is the RAF's presence in Wellon on the world of Tirane. It commands a number of squadrons, most of which are dedicated to the training role with only 41 Squadron in an operational role. The reserve squadrons are holding units for aircraft which are manned by squadrons rotating out from Earth to training at the Joint Air Warfare Centre.
No.41 (F)
Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) RAF St. Peters, Wellon
No.303 Squadron,
Colenso, Wellon
No.300 (Reserve)
Squadron, (Tempest GR.1) Colenso, Wellon
No.304 (Reserve)
Squadron, (Lightning F.5 6 aircraft) Colenso, Wellon
No.305 (Reserve) Squadron, (Fury F.3) Colenso, Wellon
Copyright 2009, D Hebditch
