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.
Aircraft training units
- Argosy Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Benson (1961-63) became 'Argosy Flight' of No. 242 Operational Conversion Unit RAF
- Belvedere Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1964-66)
- Belvedere Trials Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1960-61) became No. 66 Squadron RAF
- Canberra Trials and Tactical Evaluation Unit at RAF Akrotiri (1966-68)
- Halifax Training Unit RAF part of No. 1332 (Transport) Heavy Conversion Unit RAF (-1946)
- Harrier Conversion Team RAF (1969-70) became Harrier Conversion Unit RAF, part of No. 233 Operational Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Wittering (1987-90)
- Jaguar Conversion Team RAF at RAF Lossiemouth (1973-74) became Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit RAF
- Jet Provost Trials Unit at RAF Tengah, Singapore
- Tornado F.3 Operational Evaluation Unit RAF at RAF Coningsby (1987-??)
- Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Honington/RAF Lossiemouth (1982-92) became No. 15 Squadron RAF
- Twin Pioneer Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1963-64) became Short Range Conversion Unit RAF
- Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit
- Victor (B.2) Trials Unit RAF at RAF Cottesmore (1961-62) became 'C' Flight of No. 232 Operational Conversion Unit RAF
- Warwick Training Unit RAF at RAF Docking (1943) became Air Sea Rescue Training Unit RAF
- Washington Conversion Unit RAF at RAF Marham (1950-53)
- Wessex Intensive Flying Trials Unit RAF at RAF Odiham (1963-64) became No. 18 Squadron RAF
Aircraft units
Overseas aircraft despatch
- Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit, Kemble and Portreath
- No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit RAF, No. 2 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit RAF, No. 3 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit RAF, No. 4 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit RAF & No. 5 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit RAF.
Overseas aircraft preparation
- No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 2 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 3 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF & No. 4 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF.
Aircraft preparation
- No. 1 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 2 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 3 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 4 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 5 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 6 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 7 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 11 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF, No. 12 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF & No. 13 Aircraft Preparation Unit RAF.
Other
- No. 1 Aircraft Delivery Unit
- No. 13 Aircraft Modification Unit
Airfields
Advanced flying units
Observers
Pilots
Anti-aircraft units
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
Armament practice station
Armament training camp
Armament training station
Bases
Beach units
Beam approach beacon system
Command level units
Communications
Conversion units
The RAF have now granted all OCUs Reserve squadron status.
- Operational conversion units (OCU)
- All-Weather Operational Conversion Unit RAF
- Jaguar Operational Conversion Unit RAF
Numbered operational conversion units (OCU)
- Numbered conversion units
- Other conversion units
- Heavy Bomber Conversion Unit RAF, Salbani
- Heavy Glider Conversion Unit RAF
- Short Range Conversion Unit RAF
- Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit RAF
Establishments
Ferry units
Foreign air arms
In Rhodesia, the Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces, active 1935-39, became the Rhodesian Air Unit, and then the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (1939-40). 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 was created.
Maintenance units
Operational Training Units (OTU)
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.
Other units
Numbered other units
Other units
Pools
Photographic reconnaissance
Refresher flying units
Sectors
Signals units
Training wings
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. (2001) [1988]. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Lake, Alan (1999). Flying Units of the RAF. Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
- Sturtivant, R; Hamlin, J; Halley, J (1997). Royal Air Force flying training and support units. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 0-85130-252-1.
External links
- a list of current squadrons from the RAF website
- a list of squadron codes
