No. 22 Group RAF
Encyclopedia
Number 22 Group is one of only three groups
currently active in the Royal Air Force
, falling under the responsibility of Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Personnel) in Air Command
. Its current full title is Number 22 (Training) Group and it is responsible for RAF training policy and controlling the Royal Air Force College and the RAF's training stations
. As such, it is the direct successor to Training Group
.
. The next month, on 8 August 1918, it received the designation 'Operations', or possibly 'Marine Operational', making its full title Number 22 (Operations) Group or possibly Number 22 (Marine Operational) Group. With the post World War I
reductions in the RAF, No 22 Group was disbanded on 30 May 1919.
The next creation of No 22 Group came on 12 April 1926 when the Group was re-formed from No 7 Group
within Inland Area. The Group's designation was Number 22 (Army Co-operation) Group and its headquarters was at South Farnborough. On 17 February 1936, No 22 Group was transferred from the control of Inland Area to that of the Air Defence of Great Britain
. Later that same year, on 1 May, the group was raised to command
status. However, only just over two months later, on 14 July, the newly created command was reduced back to group status, becoming part of Fighter Command
on the day of Fighter Command's creation. On 24 June 1940 No 22 Group was once again raised to command status and later that year, on 1 December, the new command was expanded to become Army Co-operation Command
.
On 1 August 1943 the Group was re-established as Number 22 (Training) Group in Technical Training Command
, responsible for all training in ground trades, from electronics to cooking. The Group continued in its training function for nearly 30 years until it was disbanded 31 January 1972.
The current creation of No 22 Group was established on 30 October 2006, once again as Number 22 (Training) Group. This creation was a renaming of Training Group
which ceased to exist as No 22 Group was re-established.
, who is also Deputy Commander-in-Chief
Personnel in Air Command
.
Group (air force unit)
A group is a military aviation unit, a component of military organization and a military formation. Usage of the terms group and wing differ from one country to another, as well as different branches of a defence force, in some cases...
currently active in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, falling under the responsibility of Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Personnel) in Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....
. Its current full title is Number 22 (Training) Group and it is responsible for RAF training policy and controlling the Royal Air Force College and the RAF's training stations
RAF station
A Royal Air Force station is a permanent Royal Air Force operations location. Many RAF stations are aerodromes, or airbases, being the home to one or more flying squadrons. Other RAF stations are training units, administrative units, headquarters , or carry out ground-based operational tasks...
. As such, it is the direct successor to Training Group
Training Group RAF
Training Group of the Royal Air Force was the group that controlled the stations of Personnel and Training Command.- History :It was formed on 1 April 1994 from the AOC Training Units with Personnel and Training Command its controlling formation. On 30 October 2006, Training Group was renamed as...
.
History
Although Number 22 Group was due to be formed on 1 April 1918, the same day as the RAF was established, it was not activated until 1 July 1918 in the RAF's North-Western Area with its headquarters at StirlingStirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
. The next month, on 8 August 1918, it received the designation 'Operations', or possibly 'Marine Operational', making its full title Number 22 (Operations) Group or possibly Number 22 (Marine Operational) Group. With the post World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
reductions in the RAF, No 22 Group was disbanded on 30 May 1919.
The next creation of No 22 Group came on 12 April 1926 when the Group was re-formed from No 7 Group
No. 7 Group RAF
Number 7 Group of the Royal Air Force was an RAF group active in the latter part of World War I, during the 1920s and also in World War II.-Organizational history:...
within Inland Area. The Group's designation was Number 22 (Army Co-operation) Group and its headquarters was at South Farnborough. On 17 February 1936, No 22 Group was transferred from the control of Inland Area to that of the Air Defence of Great Britain
Air Defence of Great Britain
The Air Defence of Great Britain was a RAF command comprising substantial Army and RAF elements responsible for the air defence of the British Isles...
. Later that same year, on 1 May, the group was raised to command
Command (military formation)
A command in military terminology is an organisational unit that the individual in Military command has responsibility for. A Commander will normally be specifically appointed into the role in order to provide a legal framework for the authority bestowed...
status. However, only just over two months later, on 14 July, the newly created command was reduced back to group status, becoming part of Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command
RAF Fighter Command was one of three functional commands of the Royal Air Force. It was formed in 1936 to allow more specialised control of fighter aircraft. It served throughout the Second World War, gaining recognition in the Battle of Britain. The Command continued until 17 November 1943, when...
on the day of Fighter Command's creation. On 24 June 1940 No 22 Group was once again raised to command status and later that year, on 1 December, the new command was expanded to become Army Co-operation Command
RAF Army Cooperation Command
RAF Army Cooperation Command was a short-lived major command of the Royal Air Force during World War II, comprising the army cooperation units of the RAF.The command was formed on 1 December 1940 when No...
.
On 1 August 1943 the Group was re-established as Number 22 (Training) Group in Technical Training Command
RAF Technical Training Command
Technical Training Command was an organization within the Royal Air Force which controlled units responsible for delivering aircraft maintenance training and other non-flying training, initially in Berkshire then in Cambridgeshire.-History:...
, responsible for all training in ground trades, from electronics to cooking. The Group continued in its training function for nearly 30 years until it was disbanded 31 January 1972.
The current creation of No 22 Group was established on 30 October 2006, once again as Number 22 (Training) Group. This creation was a renaming of Training Group
Training Group RAF
Training Group of the Royal Air Force was the group that controlled the stations of Personnel and Training Command.- History :It was formed on 1 April 1994 from the AOC Training Units with Personnel and Training Command its controlling formation. On 30 October 2006, Training Group was renamed as...
which ceased to exist as No 22 Group was re-established.
Current function
The Group has eight areas of responsibility:- RAF College Cranwell and Directorate of Recruiting
- Directorate of Flying Training (DFT)
- Directorate of Joint Technical Training (DJTT)
- Air CadetsAir Cadet OrganisationThe Air Cadet Organisation is the collective name for the UK cadet forces sponsored by the Royal Air Force. The organisation is subordinate to No. 22 Group RAF, with a serving RAF officer as Commandant Air Cadets. The current Commandant is Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE...
(ACO) - Core HQ
- Defence College of Aeronautical EngineeringDefence College of Aeronautical EngineeringThe Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering provides training for aircraft engineering officers and tradesmen across the three British armed forces.-History:...
(DCAE) - Defence College of Communications and Information SystemsDefence College of Communications and Information SystemsThe Defence College of Communications and Information Systems was formed on 1 April 2004 as one of 6 United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Training Establishments introduced to deliver coherent and cost effective training across defence...
(DCCIS) - Defence College of Electro-Mechanical EngineeringDefence College of Electro-Mechanical EngineeringThe Defence College of Electro-Mechanical Engineering was formed on 1 April 2004 as one of five Defence Training Establishments introduced to deliver coherent and cost effective training across the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence...
(DCEME)
Commanders
Currently, No 22 (Training) Group is led by Air Vice-Marshal Mark Green CBE who is Chief of Staff Training and Air Officer Commanding Number 22 (Training) Group. AVM Green is responsible to his superior commander, the Air Member for PersonnelAir Member for Personnel
The Air Member for Personnel is the senior Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for personnel matters and is a member of the Air Force Board...
, who is also Deputy Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
Personnel in Air Command
RAF Air Command
Air Command is the only Command currently active in the Royal Air Force. It was formed by the merger of Royal Air Force Strike and Personnel and Training Commands on 1 April 2007, and has its headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire....
.
1918 to 1919
- 1 July 1918 ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
, later Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
, E A D MastermanEdward MastermanAir Commodore Edward Alexander Dimsdale Masterman CB CMG CBE AFC RAF was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force in the first half of the 20th century...
1926 to 1940
- 12 April 1926 Air CommodoreAir CommodoreAir commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
D le G PitcherDuncan PitcherAir Commodore Duncan le Geyt Pitcher CMG, CBE, DSO, RAF was an infantry and cavalry officer in the British Indian Army... - 9 April 1929 Air Commodore N D K MacEwenNorman MacEwenAir Vice Marshal Sir Norman Duckworth Kerr MacEwen CB, CMG, DSO, RAF was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the first half of the 20th century.-Army career:...
- 14 September 1931 Air Commodore H LeM Brock
- 30 June 1936 Air Commodore, later Air Vice-MarshalAir Vice-MarshalAir vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
B E SuttonBertine SuttonAir Marshal Sir Bertine Entwisle Sutton KBE, CB, DSO, MC, RAF was a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and a senior officer in the Royal Air Force from the 1920s to the 1940s.-Early life:... - 3 July 1939 Air Vice-Marshal C H B Blount
- 15 September 1939 Air Vice-Marshal N D K MacEwenNorman MacEwenAir Vice Marshal Sir Norman Duckworth Kerr MacEwen CB, CMG, DSO, RAF was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during the first half of the 20th century.-Army career:...
- 30 May 1940 Air Vice-Marshal C H B Blount
- 23 October 1940 Not Known
- 20 November 1940 Air MarshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Arthur BarrattArthur BarrattAir Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Sheridan Barratt KCB CMG MC was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I and a senior commander in the Royal Air Force during World War II.-RAF career:...
1943 to 1972
- 1 August 1943 Air Vice-Marshal C E V Porter
- 1946 to 1948 Air Vice-Marshal A C StevensAlick StevensAir Marshal Sir Alick Charles Stevens KBE CB was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Coastal Command.-RAF career:...
- 19 January 1948 Air Vice-Marshal P E Maitland
- 15 June 1950 Air Vice-Marshal B V ReynoldsBrian Reynolds (RAF officer)Air Marshal Sir Brian Vernon Reynolds KCB CBE was a Royal Air Force officer who became Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at RAF Coastal Command.-RAF career:...
- 25 August 1952 Air Vice-Marshal W H MertonWalter MertonAir Chief Marshal Sir Walter Hugh Merton GBE, KCB, RAF was a senior Royal Air Force commander during World War II. After the War he held several senior RAF appointments before his retirement in 1963.-RAF career:...
- 1 December 1953 Air Vice-Marshal J L F Fuller-Good
- 15 January 1957 Air Vice-Marshal R Faville
- 12 September 1960 Air Vice-Marshal B A ChacksfieldBernard ChacksfieldAir Vice Marshal Sir Bernard Albert Chacksfield KBE CB RAF was a senior Royal Air Force officer in the 1950s and 1960s and later a chief commissioner of the The Scout Association and chairman of the Burma Star Association.Chacksfield joined the Royal Air Force in 1927 as an apprentice aircraft...
- 12 November 1962 Air Vice-Marshal A A Case
- 15 January 1966 Air Vice-Marshal W V Crawford-CromptonBill Crawford-CromptonAir Vice Marshal William Vernon "Bill" Crawford-Crompton CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar was a New Zealand-born pilot and air ace of the Second World War. After the war, he went on to serve as a senior commander in the Royal Air Force.Crawford-Crompton was born in Invercargill, New Zealand on 2...
- 1 July 1968 Air Vice-Marshal G R Magill
- 1 January 1970 Air Vice-Marshal E Plumtree
2006 onwards
- 30 October 2006 Air Vice-Marshal J M M PonsonbyJohn Ponsonby (RAF)Air Vice Marshal John Maurice Maynard Ponsonby OBE, RAF was a senior commander in the Royal Air Force. He is now a senior executive.-British Army:...
- July 2007 Air Vice-Marshal R F Garwood CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
DFCDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against... - 17 April 2009 Air Vice-Marshal B M NorthBarry NorthAir Vice-Marshal Barry 'Baz' Mark North OBE is a senior serving Royal Air Force officer and is currently Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, assuming this appointment on 1 March 2010.-RAF career:...
OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions... - 23 February 2010 Air Vice-Marshal M C GreenMark GreenMark Andrew Green is an American politician and a former United States Ambassador to Tanzania, a position he held from August 2007 until January 2009. He was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007, representing...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...