List of Royal Air Force & Defence Units & Establishments

Other Units

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.

Advanced Flying Training Unit
Advanced Flying Unit, Sétif
No.1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.2 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.3 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.6 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.8 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.9 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.10 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
No.2 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.3 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.7 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.9 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.11 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.17 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.18 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.19 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.20 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
No.21 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
Air Fighting Development Unit
Air Fighting Development Unit
The Air Fighting Development Unit was an air technical intelligence part of the Royal Air Force which developed operational tactics and tested captured enemy aircraft. It was based at Royal Air Force Stations at Northolt, Duxford and Wittering....
No.3 Tactical exercise Unit
No.1 Air Ambulance Unit, RAAF
Air Combat Development Unit (Middle East)
Air Command Southeast Asia Communication Unit
Air Defence Co-operation Unit
Air Defence Unit, Tanganyika
Air Fighting Training Unit
Air Gunnery Training Unit
Air Ministry Servicing Development Unit
Air Movements Development Unit
Air Photographic Development Unit
Air Pilotage Unit
No.1 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (North Africa)
Air-Sea Rescue Training Unit
Air-Sea warfare Development Unit
Air-Sea warfare Development Unit (ACSEA)
Air Transport Development Centre (India)
RAF Element, Air Transport Development Centre
Air Transport Development Unit
Air Transport Tactical Development Unit
Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit
Airborne Forces Research Centre (India)
Aircraft Delivery Unit
No.1 Aircraft Delivery Unit
No.2 Aircraft Delivery Unit
No.3 Aircraft Delivery Unit
No.4 Aircraft Delivery Unit
No.13 Aircraft Modification Unit
No.1 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.2 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.3 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.4 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.5 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.6 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.7 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.11 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.12 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.13 Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.12 (Flying Boat) Aircraft Preparation and Modification Unit
No.11 (Landplane) Aircraft Preparation and Modification Unit
Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit
Aircrew Transit Pool
Aircrew Testing and Grading Unit
Airwork Grading Unit
Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia
No.1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit,Indian Air Force
No.2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit,Indian Air Force
No.3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit,Indian Air Force
Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.4 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.5 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.7 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.9 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.21 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.22 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.23 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.24 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.25 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.26 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, IAFVR
No.2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, IAFVR
No.3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, IAFVR
Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit
Armament Experimental Station
Army Co-operation Development Unit
Beam Approach Development Unit
Belvedere Trials Unit
Blenheim Refresher Unit
Blind Approach Training and Development Unit
Blind Landing Detachment
Blind Landing Experimental Unit
Bomb Ballistic and Blind Landing Experimental Unit
Bomb Ballistic Unit
Bomber Command Development Unit
Bomber Command Experimental Unit
Bombing Trials Unit
Bomber Development Unit
Bomber Support Development Unit
Bombing Development Unit
Bombing Trials Unit
British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
No.1 British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
No.1 British Airways RepAir Unit
No.2 British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
British Airways Training Unit
No.1 British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
No.1 Camouflage Unit
No.2 Camouflage Unit
Canberra Trials and Tactical Evaluation Unit
No.1 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.2 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.3/4 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.4 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
No.5 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
No.1 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
No.2 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
No.3 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
No.1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit
Coast Defence Development Unit
Coastal Command Development Unit
Coastal Command Fighter Affiliation Training Unit
Coastal command Fighter Circus
No.201 Crew Training Unit
No.202 Crew Training Unit
No.203 Crew Training Unit
No.204 Crew Training Unit
No.1 Delivery Unit
Electronic Warfare and Avionics Unit
Enemy Aircraft Storage and Servicing Unit
Engine Consumption Unit
No.1 Engine Consumption Unit
No.1 Engine Control Demonstration Unit
Experimental Air Ambulance Service
Experimental Co-operation Unit
Far East Tactical Development Unit
Far East Training Squadron
Ferry Crew pool Unit
No.1 Ferry Crew Pool Unit
No.2 Ferry Crew Pool Unit
No.3 Ferry Crew Pool Unit
No.1 Ferry Pilots Pool
No.2 Ferry Pilots Pool
No.3 Ferry Pilots Pool
No.7 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool
No.8 (Service) Ferry Pool
No.9 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool
No.1 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
No.2 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
No.3 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
No.4 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
No.5 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
Ferry Crew Pool Unit
Ferry Crew Pool Unit
Ferry Crew Pool Unit
Ferry Crew Pool Unit
Ferry Training and Despatch Unit
Ferry Training Unit
No.301 Ferry Training Unit
No.302 Ferry Training Unit
No.303 Ferry Training Unit
No.304 Ferry Training Unit
No.305 Ferry Training Unit
No.306 Ferry Training Unit
No.307 Ferry Training Unit
No.308 Ferry Training Unit
No.309 Ferry Training Unit
No.310 Ferry Training Unit
No.311 Ferry Training Unit
No.312 Ferry Training Unit
No.313 Ferry Training Unit
No.308 Ferry Training and Test Flying Unit
No.309 Ferry Training and Aircraft Despatch Unit
No.313 Ferry Training and Conversion Unit
No.1 Ferry Unit
No.2 Ferry Unit
No.3 Ferry Unit
No.4 Ferry Unit
No.5 Ferry Unit

No.6 Ferry Unit
No.7 Ferry Unit
No.8 Ferry Unit
No.9 Ferry Unit
No.10 Ferry Unit
No.11 Ferry Unit
No.12 Ferry Unit
No.13 Ferry Unit
No.14 Ferry Unit
No.15 Ferry Unit
No.16 Ferry Unit
Fighter Affiliation Training Unit
Fighter Armament Trials Unit
Fighter Command Trials Unit
Fighter Interception Unit
Fighter Interception Unit
The Fighter Interception Unit was a special interceptor aircraft unit of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was part of Air Defence of Great Britain....
Fighter Interception Development Unit
No.1 Fighter Support Training Unit
No.3 Fighter Support Training Unit
Fleet Requirements Unit
Floatplane Training Unit
Flying Boat Practice Camp
No.12 (Flying Boat) Preparation and Modification Unit
GEE (TR1335) Training Unit
No.1 General Reconnaissance Unit
No.2 General Reconnaissance Unit
No.3 General Reconnaissance Unit
Glider Exercise Unit
Glider Pilot Exercise Unit
Glider Training Unit
No.1 Grading Unit (Airwork)
No.2 Grading Unit (Airwork)
Gransden lodge NavigationTraining Unit
Gremlin Task Force - Japanese aircraft and crew transport operations
Ground Attack Training Unit
No.1 Group Pool
No.2 Group Pool
No.2 Group Support Unit
No.3 Group Pool
No.4 Group Pool
No.5 Group Pool
No.11 Group Pool
No.12 Group Pool
No.83 Group Support Unit
No.84 Group Support Unit
No.88 Group Support Unit
Gunnery Research Unit
Habbaniya Air Striking Force
Halifax Training Unit
Harrier Conversion Team
Helicopter Development Unit
Home Command Examining Unit
No.2 (Home) Ferry Unit
No.4 (Home) Ferry Unit
Instant Readiness Reserve Unit
Jaguar Conversion Team
Joint Concealment Centre (Royal Air Force Component)
Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit
Jet Provost Trials Unit
Jungle Target Research Unit
No.11 (Landplane) Preparation and Modification Unit
Long-Range Desert Group
Long-Range Development Unit
No.1 (Long-Range) Ferry Unit
No.3 (Long-Range) Ferry Unit
LORAN Training Unit
Majunga Detachment Support Unit
Marine Aircraft Experimental Section
Marine Aircraft Experimental Unit
Merchant Ship Fighter Unit
Merchant Ship Fighter Unit
The Merchant Ship Fighter Unit was a Royal Air Force operational aircraft unit based at RAF Speke during World War II. The aircraft operated by the MSFU were Hawker Sea Hurricanes. These planes were operated from 35 merchant ships outfitted with a catapult on the bow, referred to as Catapult...
Middle East Advanced Crew Training Unit
No.1 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool
No.2 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool
Navigation Training Unit
Night Fighter Unit, Malta
Night Ground Attack Trials Unit
Operational and Refresher Training Unit
Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit, Kemble and Portreath
No.1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
No.2 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
No.3 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
No.4 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
No.5 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
No.1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.2 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.3 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
No.4 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
Overseas Experimental Unit
Overseas Ferry Unit
No.1 (Overseas) Ferry Unit
Parachute Test Unit
Pathfinder Navigation Training Unit
Photographic Development Unit
Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit
Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit was a flying unit of the Royal Air Force, first formed in 1940.-History:The origins of 1 PRU date to the "Heston Flight" formed on 24 September 1939, when the Royal Air Force took over Sidney Cotton's Aircraft Operating Company, based at Heston Aerodrome...
No.2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
No.3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
No.3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (India)
No.4 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
No.5 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
No.1 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit
No.2 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit
Pilot Refresher Training Unit
Pilot Training Unit and ReinForcement Pool
Pilotless Aircraft Section
Pilotless Aircraft Unit
Pilots and Aircrew Pool
Pilots ReinForcement and Reserve Pool
ReinForcement and Reserve Pool
Pool of Pilots, Joyce Green
Pool of Pilots, Manston
No.1 Practice Flying Unit
Pupil Pilots Pool
No.1 Pupil Pilots Pool
No.2 Pupil Pilots Pool
No.3 Pupil Pilots Pool
'Q' Unit
Radar Research Flying Unit
Radio Engineering Unit
No.1 Refresher Flying Unit
No.2 Refresher Flying Unit
No.3 Refresher Flying Unit
No.4 Refresher Flying Unit
No.5 Refresher Flying Unit
No.6 Refresher Flying Unit
No.7 Refresher Flying Unit
No.8 Refresher Flying Unit
No.9 Refresher Flying Unit
ReinForcement and Reserve Pool
Research and Development Unit
Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – 'The Red Arrows'
Royal Air Force Detachment, Perth
Royal Air Force Element, Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia
Royal Air Force Element, Helicopter Development Unit
Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
No.1 Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
Royal Air Force Film Unit
Royal Air Force Instructional Mission, South Russia
Royal Air Force Training Mission, South Russia
Royal Air Force Liaiason Office, Chinese Elementary Flying Training School
India Detachment, Chinese Air Force Cadet School
Service Ferry Pilots Pool
Signals Development Unit
Signals Flying Unit
Special Duties (Radio) Development Unit
Special Installation Unit
Staff Pilot Training Unit
Strategic Reconnaissance Unit
Strike /Attack Operational Evaluation Unit
Strike Command Development Unit
Survival and Rescue Training Unit
2nd Tactical Air Force Air Sea Rescue Unit
2nd Tactical Air Force Development Unit
2nd Tactical Air Force Support Unit
Tactical and Weapon Development Unit
No.1 Tactical Exercise Unit
No.2 Tactical Exercise Unit
No.3 Tactical Exercise Unit
No.4 Tactical Exercise Unit
Tactical Weapons Unit
No.1 Tactical Weapons Unit
Target Towing Section, Shallufa
Tornado F.3 Operational Evaluation Unit
Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit
Torpedo Development Section
Torpedo Development Unit
Torpedo Training Unit
No.1 Torpedo Training Unit
No.2 Torpedo Training Unit
Training Unit and Reserve Pool
Transport Command Aircrew Examining Unit
Transport Command Development Unit
Transport Command Examining Unit
Transport Support Practice Camp
Transport Support Practice Camp (BAFO)
Transport Support Training Unit
Tropical Experimental Unit
Victor (B.2) Trials Unit
Warwick Training Unit
Wessex Intensive Flying Trials Unit
Wireless Development Unit
Wireless Intelligence Development Unit
'Z' Unit, British Somaliland
Wireless Testing Park

Communication Units

Aden Communication Unit
Air Headquarters Bengal Communication Unit
Bengal Communication Unit
Communication Unit, Desert Air Force

Communication Unit, Helioopolis
Communication Unit, Western Desert
Mediterranean Air Command Communication Unit

Armament Practice and Training Units

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

No.1 Armament Practice Camp
No.2 Armament Practice Camp
No.3 Armament Practice Camp
No.4 Armament Practice Camp
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.26Armament 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, Lübeck
Armament Practice Station, Spilsby
Armament Practice Station, Sylt
No.1 Armament Practice Station
No.2 Armament Practice Station
No.3 Armament Practice Station
No.1 Armament Training Camp, Kuantan
No.1 Armament Training Camp

No.2 Armament Training Camp
No.3 Armament Training Camp
No.4 Armament Training Camp
No.5 Armament Training Camp
No.6 Armament Training Camp
No.7 Armament Training Camp
No.8 Armament Training Camp
No.1 Armament Training Station
No.1 Armament Training Station (France)
No.2 Armament Training Station
No.3 Armament Training Station
No.4 Armament Training Station
No.5 Armament Training Station
No.6 Armament Training Station
No.7 Armament Training Station
No.8 Armament Training Station
No.9 Armament Training Station
No.1 Armament Training Unit
Fighter Command Missile Practice Camp
No.15 Group Armament Practice Camp
No.16 Group Armament Practice Camp
No.18 Group Armament Practice Camp
No.19 Group Armament Practice Camp
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

Training Wings

No.1 Combat Training Wing

No.2 Combat Training Wing

Establishments

Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
The Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment was a research facility for British military aviation from 1918 to 1992.-History:...
Aeroplane Experimental Establishment (Home)
Aeroplane Experimental Station
Aeroplane Testing Squadron
Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment
Air Fighting Development Establishment
Air Warfare Centre
Air Warfare Centre
The Air Warfare Centre, known as the AWC, is a Royal Air Force research and testing organization based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire in the United Kingdom...
Central Fighter Establishment
Central Fighter Establishment
The Central Fighter Establishment was a Royal Air Force formation that dealt with the development Fighter aircraft tactics. It also tested new fighter aircraft and equipment. It also dealt with the training of squadron and flight commanders. It was formed on 1 October 1944 as part of No. 12 Group...
Central Flying School
Central Flying School
The Central Flying School is the Royal Air Force's primary institution for the training of military flying instructors. Established in 1912 it is the longest existing flying training school.-History:...
Central Flying School (Southern Rhodesia)
Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE)
Chemical Defence Establishment
Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment
Chemical Warfare Experimental Station (CWES)
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation...

(DERA)
Defence Research Agency
Defence Research Agency
The Defence Research Agency , was an executive agency of the UK Ministry of Defence from April 1991 until April 1995. At the time the DRA was Britain's largest science and technology organisation...
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
Fighter Experimental Establishment
Guided Projectiles Establishment
Home Aircraft Depot
Inland Area Aircraft Depot
Institute of Aviation Medicine
Instrument Design Establishment
Instrument Design Establishment (Home)
Joint Warfare Establishment
Long-Range Weapons Establishment
Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment
Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment
The Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment was a British military research and test organisation. It was originally formed as the Marine Aircraft Experimental Station in October 1918 at RAF Isle of Grain, a former Royal Naval Air Service seaplane base, to design, test and evaluate seaplanes,...
Microbiological Research Establishment
Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment (PERME Westcott & PERME Waltham Abbey)
Radio Warfare Establishment

Rocket Propulsion Establishment
Rocket Propulsion Establishment
The Rocket Propulsion Establishment at Westcott, Buckinghamshire on the site of the former RAF Westcott has made a number of notable contributions in the field of rocket propulsion, including input on the rocket design for the Blue Streak missile and the propulsion systems on Chevaline...
Royal Air Force (Cadet) College
Royal Air Force Base, Calshot
Royal Air Force Base, Gosport
Royal Air Force Station, Gosport
Royal Air Force Base, Leuchars
Royal Air Force College
Royal Air Force College of Air Warfare
Royal Air Force Flying College
Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine
Royal Air Force Seaplane Establishment
Royal Air Force Station, Leuchars
Royal Air Force Technical College
Royal Air Force Training Base, Leuchars
Royal Aircraft Establishment
Royal Aircraft Establishment
The Royal Aircraft Establishment , was a British research establishment, known by several different names during its history, that eventually came under the aegis of the UK Ministry of Defence , before finally losing its identity in mergers with other institutions.The first site was at Farnborough...
Royal Engineers Experimental Station
Royal Aircraft Factory
Strike Command Air to Air Missile Establishment
Telecommunications Research Establishment
Telecommunications Research Establishment
The Telecommunications Research Establishment was the main United Kingdom research and development organization for radio navigation, radar, infra-red detection for heat seeking missiles, and related work for the Royal Air Force during World War II and the years that followed. The name was...
Telecommunications Flying Unit
Test and Evaluation Establishment
Testing Squadron
Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment
Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment
The Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment was a multinational air unit based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, England from 1981 to 1999.-Function:It performed training on the Panavia Tornado for the Royal Air Force, Luftwaffe and Italian Air Force...
Visual Inter-Service Training and Research Establishment
War Department Experimental Ground
Winter Research Establishment
Winterisation Experimental Establishment
Wireless Experimental Establishment

Foreign Air Arms

Burmese Volunteer Air Force
Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force (Air Component)
Kenya Auxiliary Air Unit
Kenya Pool
Malayan Volunteer Air Force
Norwegian Training Base

Polish Fighting Team
Polish Fighting Team
The Polish Fighting Team , also known as "Skalski's Circus" , was a Polish unit which fought with the British Commonwealth Desert Air Force in the North African Campaign of World War II, during 1943...

(Skalski's Circus), attached to 145 Squadron
Polish Training Unit
Rhodesian Air Unit
Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces
Southern Rhodesian Air Force
Straits Settlements Volunteer Air force
Yugoslav Holding Unit

External links

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