List of wings of the Royal Air Force
Wings can be found at every station in the RAF and also abroad, deployed on operations.
Wings by number
No. 1 Wing – No. 99 Wing
Wing | Date of establishment | Date of disestablishment | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
No. 1 Wing RAF | 29 November 1914 | 5 March 1919 | Originally Royal Flying Corps (RFC) Corps Wing[1] |
15 May 1919 | ? | At RAF Yatesbury[1] | |
1 January 1926 | 12 April 1926 | Army Cooperation Wing[1] | |
23 September 1939 | 15 December 1937 | General Reconnaissance Wing during Spanish Civil War with 209 and 210 Squadrons[1] | |
25 August 1939 | 22 September 1939 | Bomber Wing in Egypt with 30 and 55 Sqns[1] | |
24 January 1940 | 24 June 1940 | Barrage balloon Wing in France[1] | |
October 1958 | September 1961 | Signals Wing[1] | |
?? | Air Mobility Wing | ||
No. 2 Wing RAF | 29 November 1914 | 12 September 1919 | Originally RFC Corps Wing[1] |
15 May 1919 | April 1920 | At Plymouth with 238 Sqn[1] | |
25 August 1939 | 21 September 1939 | Bomber Wing in Egypt[1] | |
3 November 1941 | November 1941 | 112 Sqn and 3 Sqn RAAF[1] | |
?? | Force Protection Wing | ||
No. 3 Wing RAF | 1 March 1915 | 5 January 1918 | Originally RFC Corps Wing[1] |
1 August 1918 | 13 June 1919 | Training Wing[1] | |
?? | Force Protection Wing | ||
No. 4 Wing RAF | 29 November 1914 | 23 August 1916 | RFC Training Wing[1] |
10 January 1917 | 15 May 1919 | Originally RFC Reserve Wing[1] | |
2 October 1935 | 24 August 1936 | Flying Boat Wing[1] | |
?? | Force Protection Wing | ||
No. 5 Wing RAF | 29 November 1914 | 1 April 1920 | Originally RFC; |
1 April 1923 | April 1924 | Controlled all fighter squadrons north of the Thames[1]
| |
16 October 1935 | 14 August 1936 | Controlled 3, 35, 47 and 207 Sqns during the Abyssinia Crisis[1] | |
13 December 1939 | 6 July 1940 | Signals Wing controlling radar units in France[1] | |
1 April 1953 | September 1966 | Signals Wing[1] | |
?? | Force Protection Wing | ||
No. 6 Wing RAF | 20 August 1915 | 22 November 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
31 January 1916 | July 1918 | Existed concurrently in East Africa, controlling 26 Sqn[1] | |
No. 7 Wing RAF | 8 November 1915 | 12 September 1918 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
18 October 1919 | 9 July 1920 | Training Wing[1] | |
?? | Force Protection Wing | ||
No. 8 Wing RAF | 15 November 1918 | 30 June 1919 | Training Wing[1] |
30 June 1919 | 27 April 1920 | Training Wing[1] | |
No. 9 Wing RAF | 6 May 1916 | 30 July 1919 | Originally RFC HQ Wing[1] |
18 October 1918 | ? | ?Training Wing[1] | |
No. 10 Wing RAF | 30 January 1916 | 5 March 1919 | Originally RFC Army Wing[1] |
18 October 1919 | 7 February 1920 | ?Training Wing[1] | |
No. 11 Wing RAF | 10 February 1916 | 9 September 1919 | Originally RFC Army Wing[1] |
April 1920 | 15 January 1923 | Irish Wing[1] | |
No. 12 Wing RAF | 30 January 1916 | 20 September 1919 | Originally RFC Army Wing[1] |
2 June 1922 | 7 February 1923 | ?Irish Wing[1] | |
No. 13 Wing RAF | 10 March 1916 | 1 March 1919 | RFC Army Wing[1] |
No. 14 Wing RAF | 1 April 1916 | 14 March 1919 | Originally RFC Army Wing; Italian Front January–November 1918[3]
|
No. 15 Wing RAF |
21 June 1916 | 20 March 1919 | Originally RFC Reserve Army Wing[1] |
15 August 1943 | 12 July 1944 | Fighter Wing[1] | |
No. 16 Wing RAF | 25 June 1916 | 29 July 1916 | RFC Home Defence Wing[1] |
20 September 1916 | 14 November 1919 | Originally RFC Corps Wing[1] | |
5 July 1943 | 20 April 1944 | Mobile Wing[1] | |
8 March 1946 | 3 June 1946 | [1] | |
No. 17 Wing RAF |
9 August 1916 | 12 August 1918 | Originally RFC training Wing[1] |
28 September 1918 | 14 May 1919 | Controlled units in Malta[1] | |
4 July 1943 | 12 July 1944 | Fighter Wing[1] | |
No. 18 Wing RAF |
25 March 1916 | 1 October 1919 | Originally RFC Training/Home Defence Wing[1] |
December 1943 | 12 May 1944 | Fighter Wing[1] | |
No. 19 Wing RAF |
1 May 1916 | 25 March 1919 | Originally RFC Training/Home Defence Wing[1] |
December 1943 | 12 May 1944 | Fighter Wing in 2nd Tactical Air Force[1] | |
No. 20 Wing RAF |
25 July 1916 | 22 July 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] in Egypt[citation needed] |
December 1943 | 12 May 1944 | Fighter Wing[1] | |
No. 21 Wing RAF | 9 August 1916 | 18 February 1919 | RFC Training Wing[1] |
1 January 1944 | 12 May 1944 | Base Defence Wing[1] | |
1 May 1960 | 31 August 1963 | Air Defence Missile Wing[1] | |
No. 22 Wing RAF |
14 September 1916 | 20 May 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
9 January 1944 | 20 April 1944 | Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Fighter Wing[1] | |
No. 23 Wing RAF | 13 November 1916 | 31 May 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
20 January 1944 | 20 April 1944 | Fighter Wing[1] | |
No. 24 Wing RAF | 25 September 1916 | 8 April 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
16 February 1944 | 12 May 1944 | Base Defence Wing[1] | |
1 April 1959 | 31 August 1963 | Air Defence Missile Wing[1] | |
No. 25 Wing RAF |
18 September 1916 | 1 July 1918 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
1 March 1944 | 12 May 1944 | Base Defence Wing[1] | |
No. 26 Wing RAF | 1 May 1917 | 4 April 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
No. 27 Wing RAF | 5 May 1917 | 1 April 1919 | RFC Training Wing[1] |
1946 | Maritime Strike Wing[1] | ||
No. 28 Wing RAF | 15 May 1917 | 15 May 1919 | RFC Training Wing[1] |
No. 29 Wing RAF | 1 June 1917 | 9 April 1919 | Originally RFC Flying Training Wing based at Shawbury (No. 9 TDS)[1][4] |
No. 30 Wing RAF |
1 June 1917 | October 1918 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
15 April 1941 | 2 July 1941 | Became RAF Iceland[1] | |
No. 31 Wing RAF | 5 June 1917 | January 1920 | Originally RFC HQ/Corps Wing; became Mesopotamia Wing[1] |
15 April 1941 | 15 December 1941 | Became RAF Long Kesh[1] | |
No. 32 Wing RAF | 5 November 1917 | 15 May 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] in Egypt[citation needed] |
15 August 1941 | 1 July 1943 | Army Cooperation Wing[1] | |
No. 33 Wing RAF | 30 August 1917 | 15 May 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
15 August 1941 | 1 July 1943 | Army Cooperation Wing[1] | |
No. 34 Wing RAF |
8 September 1917 | 12 October 1918 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
22 August 1941 | 30 September 1945 | Army Cooperation Wing[1]
June 1944: reconnaissance wing in 2nd TAF at Northolt with Nos 16 (Spitfire PRXI), 69 (Wellington XIII) and 140 (Mosquito PRIX/XVI) Squadrons;[5][6] September 1944 – May 1945: in 2nd TAF in North West Europe (composition as before) [7] | |
1 April 1953 | 1 January 1961 | Reconnaissance Wing[1] | |
1 April 2006 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) ( ISTAR) at Waddington[1]
| ||
No. 35 Wing RAF | 22 September 1917 | 9 April 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
22 August 1941 | 22 June 1946 | Army Cooperation Wing[1]
June 1944: reconnaissance wing in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Gatwick with Nos 2 (Mustang II), 4 (Spitfire PRXI) and 268 (Mustang IA) Squadrons[5][6] September 1944 – May 1945: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 2, 4 (PR) and 268 Sqns (Spitfire)[7] | |
No. 36 Wing RAF | 8 October 1917 | 23 June 1918 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
15 August 1941 | 16 July 1943 | Army Cooperation Wing[1] | |
No. 37 Wing RAF | 15 October 1917 | 9 April 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
August 1941 | 28 July 1943 | Army Cooperation Wing[1] | |
No. 38 Wing RAF | 9 November 1917 | 15 April 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
19 January 1942 | 11 October 1943 | Army Cooperation Wing, raised to status of 38 Group[1]
September 1943: in Northwest African Troop Carrier Command with 296 Squadron (Albemarle)[8] | |
1 April 2006 | 2011 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing (Air Transport) at Lyneham[1] | |
2011 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing formed by RAF Brize Norton and RAF Northholt
| ||
No. 39 Wing RAF |
27 October 1917 | 4 April 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[1] |
3 December 1942 | 7 August 1945 | RCAF Reconnaissance Wing 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Odiham with Nos 168, 414 (RCAF) and 430 (RCAF) Squadrons (Mustang I), 400 (RCAF) Squadron (Spitfire PRXI)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 400 (RCAF), 414 (RCAF) and 430 (RCAF) (Spitfire) Sqns[7] All three constituent squadrons disbanded at Lüneburg Airfield in August 1945, and there is an additional note that the wing disbanded at Lüneburg on 2 August 1945.[9] | |
No. 40 Wing RAF | 5 October 1917 | 1 April 1920 | Originally RFC Army Wing; |
No. 41 Wing RAF | 11 October 1917 | 15 February 1919 | Originally RFC day bomber wing[1] at Azelot (HQ at Lupcourt) in Independent Air Force (IAF) October 1917 – November 1918 with 55 (DH4), 99 and 104 Sqns (DH9)[10] |
No. 42 Wing RAF |
October 1917 | 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing formed in Canada[1] |
May 2007 | Expeditionary Support Wing | ||
No. 43 Wing RAF | October 1917 | 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing formed in Canada[1] |
No. 44 Wing RAF | October 1917 | 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing formed in Canada[1] |
No. 45 Wing RAF | October 1917 | 1919 | Originally Training Wing to form in Canada, never activated[1] |
15 February 1946 | 15 June 1946 | Transport Wing formed from 45 Group[1]
| |
No. 46 Wing RAF | 29 October 1917 | 6 March 1919 | Originally RFC Home Defence Wing[1] |
No. 47 Wing RAF | 29 October 1917 | 13 June 1919 | Originally RFC Home Defence Wing[1] |
No. 48 Wing RAF | 1 February 1918 | 13 June 1919 | Originally RFC Home Defence Wing[1] |
No. 49 Wing RAF | 29 October 1917 | 13 June 1919 | Originally RFC Home Defence Wing[1] |
No. 50 Wing RAF | 29 October 1917 | 22 May 1919 | Originally RFC Home Defence Wing[1] |
11 January 1937 | 6 August 1940 | Army Cooperation wing[1] with British Expeditionary Force (BEF) Air Component in France 1939–40, Nos 4, 13, and 16 Squadrons flying Westland Lysanders.[11][12] | |
21 April 1941 | 21 November 1942 | Maintenance Wing[1] | |
No. 51 Wing RAF | November 1917 | 30 July 1919 | Originally RFC Corps Wing Italian Front November 1917 – March 1918[3]
|
11 May 1939 | 10 June 1940 | Army Cooperation Wing[13] with BEF Air Component in France 1939–45 with 2, 26 and 81 Sqns[12] | |
21 April 1941 | 21 November 1942 | Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 52 Wing RAF | September 1918 | 1 April 1920 | Corps Wing formed in India; redesignated No. 3 Indian Wing[13] |
1 November 1939 | 14 July 1940 | Bomber wing with BEF Air Component in France 1939–45, Nos 53 and 59 Sqns[12] | |
21 May 1941 | 21 November 1942 | Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 53 Wing RAF | 8 February 1918 | 13 June 1919 | Originally RFC Home Defence Wing[13] |
23 March 1941 | 1 January 1946 | Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 54 Wing RAF | 6 March 1918 | 8 May 1919 | Originally RFC Night Wing[13] |
25 May 1942 | 9 October 1946 | Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 55 Wing RAF | 6 March 1918 | 25 September 1919 | Originally RFC Training Wing[13] |
1 August 1942 | 15 January 1947 | Barrack & Clothing/Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 56 Wing RAF | August 1918 | 15 May 1919 | Training Wing[13] |
22 July 1944 | 15 October 1946 | Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 57 Wing RAF | 1918 | 3 July 1918 | Training Wing[13] |
22 July 1944 | 15 January 1947 | Maintenance Wing[13] | |
No. 58 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 21 December 1918 | Training Wing[13] |
No. 59 Wing RAF | 27 July 1918 | 24 June 1919 | Training Wing[13] |
No. 60 Wing RAF | 27 July 1918 | 14 September 1918 | Training Wing[13] |
30 August 1939 | 20 January 1940 | Fighter Wing, raised to No. 14 Group[13] | |
20 January 1940 | 31 May 1940 | Fighter wing[13] with BEF Air Component in France 1939–45, Nos 85 and 87 Sqns[12] | |
No. 61 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 13 November 1918 | Naval[13] |
10 October 1939 | 31 May 1940 | Fighter wing[13] with BEF Air Component in France 1939–45, Nos 607 and 615 Sqns[12] | |
No. 62 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 1 October 1918 | Naval[13] |
10 October 1939 | 31 May 1940 | Fighter Servicing Wing[13] | |
No. 63 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 21 May 1919 | Naval[13] |
20 February 1940 | 31 May 1940 | Fighter Servicing Wing[13] | |
No. 64 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 22 April 1919 | Naval[13] |
6 June 1918 | 15 September 1919 | Egypt[13] | |
2 July 1940 | 1 August 1940 | Wing Servicing Unit[13] | |
No. 65 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 1 March 1919 | Naval[13] |
1940 | 24 June 1940 | Wing Servicing Unit[13] | |
No. 66 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 15 August 1919 | Former No. 6 Wing RNAS at Otranto, Italy, April–November 1918 with 224 and 225 Sqns[13][3] |
No. 67 Wing RAF | 1 April 1918 | 6 December 1918 | Naval[13] at Taranto April–November 1918 with 226 Sqn at Pizzone and 227 Sqn non-operational[3] |
6 November 1939 | 24 July 1940 | Fighter wing with RAF Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF) in France 1939–45, Nos 1, 73, and 212 (PR) Squadrons[12] | |
No. 68 Wing RAF | 11 July 1918 | 1 September 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
No. 69 Wing RAF | 21 July 1918 | 25 July 1919 | Training Wing[13] |
15 March 1945 | 20 October 1945 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 70 Wing RAF | 20 August 1918 | 1 May 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
1 September 1939 | 1 July 1940 | Bomber Wing[13] On September 1939, Nos. 18 and 57 Sqns at RAF Upper Heyford as part of No. 2 Group RAF; Bomber-Reconnaissance wing with BEF Air Component in France 1939–45, Nos 18 and 57 Sqns[12] | |
17 February 1941 | 31 May 1946 | Signals Wing[13] | |
22 August 1951 | 1 August 1953 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 71 Wing RAF | 20 August 1918 | 1 May 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
1 September 1939 | 1 July 1940 | Bomber Wing[13] with RAF AASF in France 1939–45, Nos 105, 114, 139 and 150 Sqns[12] | |
17 February 1941 | 30 June 1943 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 72 Wing RAF | 8 August 1918 | 15 May 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
23 August 1939 | 6 February 1940 | Bomber Wing[13] | |
17 February 1941 | 15 May 1944 | Signals Wing[13] | |
15 May 1944 | 22 September 1946 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 73 Wing RAF | 20 August 1918 | 1 May 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
17 February 1941 | 1 November 1946 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 74 Wing RAF | 20 August 1918 | 1 May 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
24 August 1939 | 10 February 1940 | Bomber Wing[13] | |
17 February 1941 | 30 June 1946 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 75 Wing RAF | 8 August 1918 | 15 May 1919 | Operations Wing[13] |
24 August 1939 | 30 June 1940 | Bomber Wing[13] with RAF AASF in France 1939–45; in May 1940 consisted of 88 Sqn at Mourmelon, 103 Sqn at Betheniville and 208 Sqn at Auberive (Battles).[12] | |
10 February 1941 | 15 April 1941 | Bomber Wing[13] | |
17 February 1941 | 1 November 1946 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 76 Wing RAF | 20 August 1918 | 1 December 1918 | Operations Wing[13] |
24 August 1939 | 24 June 1940 | Bomber Wing[13] with RAF AASF in France 1939–45, 12, 142, and 226 Sqns[12] | |
17 February 1941 | 30 June 1943 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 77 Wing RAF | 8 August 1918 | 1 November 1918 | Operations Wing[13] |
17 February 1941 | 15 May1944 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 78 Wing RAF | 8 August 1918 | November 1918 | Operations Wing[13] |
25 May 1941 | 31 July 1946 | Signals Wing:[13] Chain Home technical control wing at RAF Ashburton in Devon.[14] | |
No. 79 Wing RAF | 8 August 1918 | November 1918 | Operations Wing[13] |
22 August 1939 | ? | Bomber Wing[13] September 1939 at Watton in 2 Group, Bomber Command, with 21 and 82 Sqns (Blenheim I & IV)[15] | |
27 September 1941 | 30 June 1943 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 80 Wing RAF | 1 July 1918 | 1 March 1919 | Army Wing[13] consisted of two Australian Flying Corps units (Nos 2 and 4 Squadrons, AFC) as well as Nos 46, 54, 88, 92 and 103 Squadrons, RAF |
7 October 1940 | 24 September 1945 | ||
1 August 1953 | 15 March 1957 | ||
No. 81 Wing RAF | 3 June 1918 | 21 June 1918 | Corps Wing[13] |
1 July 1918 | 1 March 1919 | Corps Wing[13] | |
August 1939 | 18 September 1939 | Bomber Wing[13] | |
2 June 1941 | 30 April 1946 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 82 Wing RAF | 3 June 1918 | 1 March 1919 | [13] |
August 1939 | ? | Bomber Wing[13] September 1939: at Wyton in 2 Group, Bomber Command, with 114 and 139 Sqns (Blenheim I & IV)[15] | |
No. 83 Wing RAF | 3 June 1918 | 1 March 1919 | Night bomber wing at Xaffévillers in IAF June–November 1918 with 97, 100 and 215 Sqns (Handley Page O/400)[10][13] |
August 1939 | ? | Bomber Wing[13] September 1939: at Wattisham in 2 Group, Bomber Command, with 107 and 110 Sqns (Blenheim I & IV)[15] | |
19 August 1942 | July 1943 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 84 Wing RAF | 12 October 1918 | 3 November 1919 | Night bomber wing at Roville-aux-Chênes in IAF August–November 1918 with 115 and 216 Sqns (Handley Page O/400)[10] |
1 May 1943 | 1 September 1944 | Signals Wing[13] | |
No. 85 Wing RAF | September 1918 | November 1918 | Day bomber wing at Bettoncourt in IAF September–November 1918 with 110 Sqn (DH9a) and 45 Sqn (Sopwith Camel, re-equipping with Sopwith Snipe for escort)[10] |
1 July 1946 | 31 October 1948 | Reformed from 85 (Base) Group 1 July 1946[18]
HQ was at Uetersen, Germany, 1 September 1947 – 31 October 1948. | |
April 2006 | Expeditionary Logistics Wing | ||
No. 86 Wing RAF | 29 September 1918 | 10 December 1918 | Night Bomber Wing[13] |
13 December 1918 | 8 October 1919 | Communications Wing[13] | |
5 May 1939 | 16 February1940 | General Reconnaissance Wing[13] | |
No. 87 Wing RAF | 29 August 1918 | 10 December 1918 | Night Bomber Wing[13] |
1944 | ? | [13] | |
15 July 1946 | 26 August 1946 | Transport Wing[13] | |
No. 88 Wing RAF | 17 October 1918 | 1919 | Day Bomber Wing[13] |
6 August 1942 | 18 November 1942 | [13] | |
1944 | [13] | ||
No. 89 Wing RAF | October 1918 | 1919 | Army Wing[13] |
No. 90 Wing RAF | 6 November 1918 | 1 March 1919 | Army Wing[13] |
No. 91 Wing RAF | 24 October 1918 | 1919 | Army Wing[13] |
No. 96 Wing RAF | 1 October 1941 | 10 May 1944 | Wireless (Observer) Wing[13] |
No. 100 Wing – No. 199 Wing
Wing | Date of establishment | Date of disestablishment | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
No. 100 Wing RAF | 2 May 1939 | 9 September 1941 | General Reconnaissance Wing[13] |
No. 101 Wing RAF | 16 February 1940 | July 1941 | General Reconnaissance Wing[13] |
No. 102 Wing RAF | 14 April 1941 | 31 January 1942 | General Reconnaissance Wing[13] |
No. 103 Wing RAF | 12 February 1945 | 30 September 1946 | Air Disarmament Wing[13] |
No. 104 Wing RAF | 5 February 1945 | 1 October 1945 | Photographic Reconnaissance Wing[13] |
No. 105 Wing RAF | 28 February 1943 | 14 August 1944 | Combined Operations Wing[13] |
No. 106 Wing RAF |
3 July 1943 | 14 April 1944 | Photographic Reconnaissance Wing[13] |
No. 107 Wing RAF | 26 June 1943 | 7 August 1943 | Special Duties Wing[13] |
16 October 1944 | 1 September 1945 | Transport Wing[13] | |
No. 108 Wing RAF | 29 September 1944 | 8 May 1946 | Transport Wing[13] |
No. 109 Wing RAF | 10 October 1944 | 1 March 1946 | Transport Wing[13] |
No. 110 Wing RAF | 1 March 1940 | 5 May 1941 | Anti-Aircraft Cooperation Wing[13] |
3 July 1944 | 15 February 1946 | Transport Wing[13] | |
No. 111 Wing RAF | |||
No. 112 Wing RAF | |||
No. 113 Wing RAF | |||
No. 114 Wing RAF | |||
No. 115 Wing RAF | |||
No. 116 Wing RAF | |||
No. 117 Wing RAF | |||
No. 118 Wing RAF | |||
No. 119 Wing RAF | |||
No. 120 Wing RAF | |||
No. 121 Expeditionary Air Wing | June 1944: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Holmsley South with 174, 175 and 245 Squadrons (Typhoon);[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 175, 184, 245 (Typhoon) Sqns[7] | ||
1 April 2006 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Coningsby
| ||
No. 122 Expeditionary Air Wing | June 1944:: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Funtington with 19, 65 and 122 Squadrons (Mustang III);[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 3, 56, 80, 486 (RNZAF) (Tempest V) and 616 (Meteor) Sqns[7] | ||
1 April 2006 | 2012 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Cottesmore | |
No. 123 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Thorney Island with 198 and 609 Squadrons (Typhoon)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 164, 183, 198, 609 (Typhoon) Sqns[7] | ||
No. 124 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Hurn with 181, 182 and 247 Squadrons (Typhoon)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 137, 181, 182, 247 (Typhoon) Sqns[7] | ||
No. 125 Expeditionary Air Wing | June 1944: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with | ||
1 April 2006 | 2013 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Leuchars | |
No. 126 Wing RAF |
June 1944: Canadian wing in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 401 (RCAF), 402 (RCAF), 411 (RCAF), 412 (RCAF) (Spitfire) Sqns[7]
| ||
No. 127 Wing RAF |
June 1944: Canadian wing in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Tangmere with
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 403 (RCAF), 416 (RCAF), 421 (RCAF), 443 (RCAF) (Typhoon) Sqns[7]
| ||
No. 128 Wing RAF | |||
No. 129 Wing RAF | June 1944: Canadian wing in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Westhampnett with 184 Sqn (Typhoon)[5][6] | ||
No. 130 Wing RAF | |||
No. 131 Wing RAF | 1st Polish Fighter Wing: June 1944 in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Selsey with 302, 308 and 317 Squadrons (Spitfire IX LF);[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe (composition as before);[7] attacked by Jagdgeschwader 1 during Operation Bodenplatte | ||
No. 132 Wing RAF | June 1944: Norwegian wing in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Bognor with 6, 331 (Nor) and 332 (Nor) Sqns (Spitfire IX LF)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 66, 322 (Dutch)) (Spitfire) Sqns[7]
| ||
No. 133 Wing RAF | 2nd Polish Fighter Wing: June 1944 in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Coolham with 129, 306 (Pol) and 315 (Pol) Sqns (Mustang III)[5][6] | ||
No. 134 Wing RAF | June 1944: Czech wing in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at | ||
No. 135 Wing RAF |
June 1944: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Chailey with 222, 349 (Belgian) and 485 (RNZAF) Sqns (Spitfire IX LF)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 33, 222, 274 (Typhoon) 349 (Belgian) (Spitfire) Sqns[7] | ||
1 April 2006 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Leeming
| ||
No. 136 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 84 Group, 2nd TAF at Thorney Island with 164 and 183 Squadrons (Typhoon)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with | ||
No. 137 Wing RAF | June 1944: in Hartford Bridge with 88 (Boston IIIA), 226 (Mitchell II) and 342 (French) (Boston IIIA) Squadrons[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 226, 342 (French) (Mitchell) Sqns[7] | ||
No. 138 Wing | June 1944: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF at
September 1944 – May 1945: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe (composition as before)[7] | ||
1 April 2006 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Marham
| ||
No. 139 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF at
September 1944 – May 1945: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe (composition as before)[7] | ||
No. 140 Wing RAF | 20 September 1943 | May 1945 | June 1944: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF at with
September 1944 – May 1945: in 2 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 21, 461 (RAAF), 487 (RNZAF) (Mosquito) Sqns[7]
|
1 April 2006 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Lossiemouth
| ||
No. 141 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 85 Group, 2nd TAF at Hartford Bridge with 91, 124 and 322 (Dutch) Sqns (Spitfire XIV)[5][6] | ||
No. 142 Wing RAF | June 1944: Night fighter wing in 85 Group, 2nd TAF with 264 and 604 Sqns (Mosquito XIII)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: Air/Sea Rescue wing in 85 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 276 Sqn (Spitfire/Walrus)[7] | ||
No. 143 Wing RAF |
June 1944: Canadian wing in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Hurn with
September 1944 – May 1945: in 83 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe (composition as before)[7] | ||
No. 144 Wing RAF | June 1944: Canadian wing in 83 Group, 2nd TAF at Ford with g | ||
No. 145 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 2nd TAF at Merston with 329, 340 and 341 Sqns (Spitfire IX LF)[5][6]
September 1944 – May 1945: French wing in 84 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 74, 340 (French), 341 (French), 345 (French), 485 (RNZAF) (Spitfire) Sqns[7] | ||
No. 146 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 2nd TAF at Needs Oar Point with 193, 197, 257 and 266 Sqns (Typhoon)[5][6] | ||
No. 147 Wing RAF | June 1944: Night fighter wing in 85 Group, 2nd TAF with 29 Sqn (Mosquito)[6] | ||
No. 148 Wing RAF | June 1944: Night fighter wing in 85 Group, 2nd TAF with
September 1944 – May 1945: in 85 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 264, 409 (RCAF) (Mosquito) Sqns[7] | ||
No. 149 Wing RAF | June 1944: Canadian night fighter wing in 85 Group, 2nd TAF with 488 RCAF Sqs (Mosquito)[6]
September 1944 – May 1945: in 85 Group, 2nd TAF in North West Europe with 219, 410 (RCAF), 488 (RCAF) (Mosquito) Sqns[7] | ||
No. 150 Wing RAF | June 1944: in 85 Group under operational control of 2nd TAF with | ||
No. 151 Wing RAF | Fought alongside the Second World War. After the war, an air defence missile formation.[citation needed ]
| ||
No. 152 Wing RAF | |||
No. 153 Wing RAF | |||
No. 154 Wing RAF | |||
No. 155 Wing RAF | |||
No. 156 Wing RAF | |||
No. 157 Wing RAF | |||
No. 159 Wing RAF | |||
No. 160 Wing RAF | |||
No. 164 Wing RAF | |||
No. 165 Wing RAF | June 1943: at Comilla in 224 Group with 79 and 146 Sqns (Hurricane)[21] | ||
No. 166 Wing RAF | June 1943: at Chittagong in 224 Group with 67 and 261 Sqns (Hurricane)[21]
Redesignated 902 Wing | ||
No. 167 Wing RAF | |||
No. 168 Wing RAF | June 1943: at | ||
No. 169 Wing RAF | June 1943: at Agartala in 224 Group with 17 (Hurricane) and 27 (Beaufighter) Sqns[21] | ||
No. 170 Wing RAF | June 1943: at Imphal in 221 Group with 155 (Mohawk) and
detachment 28 Sqn (Hurricane), and 42 Sqn at Kumbhirgram[21] Redesignated 908 Wing | ||
No. 171 Wing RAF | 25/11/1942 - 30/9/1944; Army Co-operation/Reconnaissance/Photo Reconnaissance[22] No. 681 Squadron RAF and No. 684 Squadron RAF 1 July 1944 [1] | ||
No. 172 Wing RAF | 18/10/1942 - 1/12/1944; Composite[22] | ||
No. 173 Wing RAF | 25/11/1942 - 1/3/1945; Composite; Naval Co-operation[22] | ||
No. 174 Wing RAF | |||
No. 175 Wing RAF | June 1943: at Jessore in 221 Group with 99 and 215 Sqns (Wellington)[21] December 1944 and June 1945: in 231 Group with 99 Sqn (Liberator) Sqn [23][24] | ||
No. 177 Wing RAF | December 1944: Transport Wing in Combat Cargo Task Force, Eastern Air Command (EAC) with 31, 62, 117 and 194 Sqns (Dakota)[23] | ||
No. 179 Wing RAF | |||
No. 180 Wing RAF | |||
No. 181 Wing RAF | |||
No. 182 Wing RAF | |||
No. 183 Wing RAF | |||
No. 183 Wing RAF | |||
No. 184 Wing RAF | December 1944 and June 1945: in 231 Group, Strategic Air Force EAC, with 355 and 356 Sqns (Liberator)[23][24] | ||
No. 185 Wing RAF | December 1944: in 231 Group, Strategic Air Force EAC, with 159, 215, 357 Sqns (Liberator)[23]
June 1945: in 231 Group, RAF Burma, with 159 (Liberator), 357 (Liberator/Dakota), 358 (Liberator) Sqns and 1341 Flight (Halifax)[24] October 1945: at Penang in RAF Malaya with a detachment of 27 Sqn (Beaufighter)[25] | ||
No. 186 Wing RAF | |||
No. 187 Wing RAF | |||
No. 188 Wing RAF | |||
No. 189 Wing RAF | |||
No. 190 Wing RAF | |||
No. 191 Wing RAF | |||
No. 192 Wing RAF |
No. 200 Wing – No. 299 Wing
Wing | Date of establishment | Date of disestablishment | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
No. 215 Wing RAF | |||
No. 231 Wing RAF | May 1942: Medium Bomber Wing in El Daba, Egypt, with 37, 70 and 108 Squadrons (Wellington IC)
September–October 1942: 37 and 70 Squadrons[26][27] September 1943: in Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) with 37 and 70 Sqns (Wellington III/X)[8] January 1944: in Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force (MASAF) with 37 and 70 Sqns (Wellington X)[8] April 1945: in 205 Group MASAF with 37 and 70 Sqns (Liberator VI)[28] | ||
No. 232 Wing RAF | October 1942: Bomber Wing in Western Desert Air Force (WDAF) with 55 and 223 Squadrons RAF (Baltimore), 82, 83 and 343 Bombardment Squadrons, USAAF (Mitchell II)[27] January 1944: in Desert Air Force (DAF) with 18, 114 (Boston) and 223 (Baltimore) Sqns[8] April 1945: in DAF with 13, 18, 114 Sqns (Boston IV/V), 55 Sqn (Boston V) and 256 Sqn (Mosquito XII/XIII)[28] | ||
No. 233 Wing RAF | May–October 1942: Fighter Wing in 211 Group WDAF at Gambut with 2 (SAAF) and 260 Squadrons (Kittyhawk I) and 4 (SAAF) and 5 (SAAF) (Tomahawk)[26][27] | ||
No. 234 Wing RAF | October 1942: in Egypt with 889 Squadron Fleet Air Arm (FAA) (Fulmar II and Hurricane IIC)[27] | ||
No. 235 Wing RAF | October 1942: General Reconnaissance Wing under | ||
No. 236 Wing RAF | May 1942: Medium Bomber Wing in 205 Group at El Daba with 104 and 148 Squadrons (Wellington IC and II) September–October 1942: 108 and 148 Squadrons[26][27] September 1943: in NASAF with 40 and 104 Sqns (Wellington III/X)[8] January 1944: in MASAF with 40 and 104 Sqns (Wellington III/X)[8] April 1945: in 205 Group MASAF, with 40 and 104 Sqns (Liberator VI)[28] | ||
No. 237 Wing RAF | |||
No. 238 Wing RAF | May 1942:Medium Bomber Wing in 205 Group with 16 (SAAF) Sqn (Beaufort)[8]
| ||
No. 239 Wing RAF | May and September 1942: Fighter Wing in 211 Group WDAF at Gambut with | ||
No. 240 Wing RAF | September 1943: Heavy Bomber wing in | ||
No. 241 Wing RAF | |||
No. 242 Wing RAF | October 1942: Heavy Bomber Wing in 205 Group in Egypt with 160 Squadron (Liberator)[27] | ||
No. 243 Wing RAF | May 1942: Fighter Wing in 211 Group WDAF at Gambut with 33 Squadron and 274 Squadrons (Hurricane IIA/B), 80 Squadron (Hurricane IIC) and 143 Squadron (from June) (Spitfire VC)
September 1942: 33, 73 and 213 Squadrons (Hurricane IIC), 145 and 601 Squadrons (Spitfire VC)[26] October 1942: | ||
No. 244 Wing RAF | September 1942: Fighter Wing in 211 Group WDAF at Amiriya with 417 (RCAF) Sqns (Spitfire VIII), 241 Sqn (Spitfire VIII/IX), and 601 Sqn (Spitfire IX)[28]
| ||
No. 245 Wing RAF | October 1942: Bomber Wing in 205 Group in Egypt with 14 (Boston III/Marauder), 462 (RAAF) (Halifax) Squadrons[27] September 1943: in Air Defences, Eastern Mediterranean, with 1 General Reconnaissance Unit (1 Flt) (Wellington)[8] January 1944: in 201 Group under RAF Middle East with 1 GRU (Wellington) and 252 Sqn (Beaufighter), detachment under Allied HQ Levant, with 17 (SAAF) (Ventura) and Picardy (Free French) (Blenheim/Vengeance) Sqns[8] | ||
No. 246 Wing RAF | October 1942: Fighter-Bomber Wing in 207 Group in East Africa with 41 (SAAF) Squadron (Hurricane IIB and Hartebeest)[27] September 1943 and January 1944: Reconniassance Wing in East Africa with 209, 259, 262 (Catalina) and 230 (Sunderland) Sqns[8] April 1945: under Air HQ, East Africa, with 259 Sqn (Sunderland V/Catalina I/IB)[28] | ||
No. 247 Wing RAF | October 1942: Torpedo Bomber/Reconnaissance Wing under 201 Group in Egypt with 38 (Wellington IC/VIII), 203 (Baltimore) and 252 (Beaufighter) Sqns[27] September 1943: in Air Defences, Eastern Mediterranean, with 38 (Wellington) 203 (Baltimore) and 252 (Beaufighter) Sqns[8] January 1944: in 201 Group under RAF Middle East with 16 (SAAF) and 227 (Beaufighter), 38 (Wellington) and 454 (RAAF) (Baltimore) Sqns[8] | ||
No. 248 Wing RAF | October 1942: Torpedo Bomber Wing under 201 Group in Egypt 38 and 221 Squadrons (Wellington IC/VIII), 39 Squadron (Beaufort) and 203 Squadron (Blenheim IV, Bisley, Baltimore I/II/III, Maryland)[27] September 1943: in Malta with 69 (Baltimore) and 221 (Wellington) Sqns[8] | ||
No. 249 Wing RAF | September 1943: in 216 Group, Middle East Air Command, with 117 (Dakota), 162 (Wellington/Bisley) and 28 (SAAF) (Dakota/Anson/Wellington) Sqns[8] January 1944: in 216 Group, RAF Middle East, with 216 and 267 Sqns (Dakota)[8] April 1945: in 216 Ferry and Air Transport Group RAF, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces (MAAF), with 44 (SAAF) (Air Ambulance) (Dakota/Anson/Expeditor) | ||
No. 250 Wing RAF | November 1941: in 202 Group at Ismailia with 1 GRU (Wellington I/IC) and 73 Squadron (Hurricane I) at Port Said[26]
October 1942: in Egypt with 89 (Beaufighter) and 94 (Hurricane IIC and Spitfire VC) Squadrons[27] | ||
No. 251 Wing RAF | |||
No. 252 Wing RAF | November 1941: in 202 Group at Alexandria, with 213 Squadron (Heliopolis) and part of 73 Squadron (Hurricane I)[26]
October 1942: in Egypt with 46 (Beaufighter) and 417 (RCAF) (Hurricane IIC and Spitfire VC) Squadrons[27] | ||
No. 253 Wing RAF | Until November 1941: Army Cooperation Wing in WDAF at Ghot Wahas with | ||
No. 254 Wing RAF | July 1944: in Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force (IAF) Sqns (Baltimore IV/V)[28]
| ||
No. 255 Wing RAF | |||
No. 256 Wing RAF | |||
No. 257 Wing RAF | |||
No. 258 Wing RAF | November 1941: Fighter Wing in WDAF with 2 (SAAF), 3 (RAAF), 4 (SAAF), 112 and 250 Squadrons (Tomahawk)[26] September 1943 and January 1944: Reconnaissance Wing in East Africa with 265 Sqn (Catalina)[8] April 1945: under Air HQ, East Africa, with 265 Sqn (Catalina I/IB)[28] | ||
No. 259 Wing RAF | November 1941: at Nicosia with 213 Squadron (Hurricane I) and 815 Squadron Fleet Air Arm at Lakatamia[26] September 1943: in Air Defences, Eastern Mediterranean, with 46 (Beaufighter) and 208 (Hurricane) Sqns[8] January 1944: Fighter Reconnaissance Wing in Cyprus under Allied HQ Levant, with 208 Sqn (Hurricane/Spitfire)[8] | ||
No. 260 Wing RAF | |||
No. 261 Wing RAF | |||
No. 262 Wing RAF | November 1941: Fighter Wing in WDAF with 1 (SAAF), 94, 229, 238, 260 and 274 Squadrons (Hurricane I)[26] | ||
No. 263 Wing RAF | November 1941: at Beirut with 335 (Greek) Squadron in Palestine (Hurricane I), a Free French squadron in Lebanon (Morane 406) and a Free French flight in Syria (Blenheim IV)[26] January 1944: in Air Defences, Eastern Mediterranean, with 55 Sqn (Baltimore)[8] | ||
No. 264 Wing RAF | |||
No. 265 Wing RAF | |||
No. 266 Wing RAF | |||
No. 267 Wing RAF | |||
No. 268 Wing RAF | |||
No. 269 Wing RAF | November 1941: Fighter Wing in WDAF at Sidi Haniesh, with 30 and RN(F) (FAA) Squadrons (Hurricane I/IIA/B)[26] | ||
No. 270 Wing RAF | November 1941: Light Bomber Wing in WDAF at Fuka with 8 (detachment), 45 and 55 Squadrons at Fuka, 14 and 84 Squadrons at Maaten Bagush, and 342 (Lorraine) (Free French) Squadron at Abu Sueir (Blenheim IV)[26] | ||
No. 272 Wing RAF | |||
No. 273 Wing RAF | |||
No. 274 Wing RAF | |||
No. 275 Wing RAF | |||
No. 276 Wing RAF | |||
No. 280 Wing RAF | |||
No. 281 Wing RAF | July 1944: Fighter Wing in Balkan Air Force at Termoli with Macchi C.205) Squadrons IAF[29]
April 1945: in BAF with 73 (Spitfire IX), 253 (Spitfire VIII/IX), 352 (Yugoslav) (Spitfire Vc), 6 and 351 (Yugoslav) (Hurricane IV) Sqns[28] | ||
No. 282 Wing RAF | April 1945: in 216 Ferry and Air Transport Group MAAF with 216 Sqn (Dakota/Anson/Expeditor)[28] | ||
No. 283 Wing RAF | October 1942: Transport Wing in 216 Group in East Africa with 163 Squadron (Hudson VI)[27] April 1945: in BAF with 16 (SAAF), 19 (SAAF) (Beaufighter X), 213 (Mustang III/IV) and 249 (Mustang III) Sqns[28] | ||
No. 284 Wing RAF | January 1944: Transport Wing in 216 Group MAAF with 28 (SAAF) Sqn (Dakota/Anson)[8] April 1945: in 216 Ferry and Air Transport Group MAAF with 28 (SAAF) Sqn (Dakota/Anson/Expeditor)[28] | ||
No. 285 Wing RAF | September 1942: Reconnaissance Wing in WDAF at 40 (SAAF) (Spitfire) and 600 (Beaufighter) Sqns[8]
April 1945: in DAF with 40 (SAAF) (Spitfire IX) and 318 (Polish) (Spitfire V/IX) Sqns[28] | ||
No. 286 Wing RAF | (As Malta Wing) September 1943: 126, 185, 229, 249 Sqns and 1435 Flight (Spitfire)[8] January 1944: in 242 Group, Mediterranean Allied Coastal Air Force (MACAF), with 14 Sqn (Marauder), 126, 249 Sqns and 1435 Flt (Spitfire), 255 and 416 (USAAF) Sqns (Beaufighter), and 608 (Hudson) Sqn[8] | ||
No. 287 Wing RAF | April 1945: in MACAF with 272 Sqn (Beaufighter X) and 1435 Flt (Spitfire IX)[28] | ||
No. 292 Wing RAF | |||
No. 293 Wing RAF | June 1943: at Calcutta in 221 Group with 136 (Hurricane) and 176 (Beaufighter) Sqns at Baigachi, 607 and 615 (Hurricane) Sqns at Alipore.[21] December 1944: in Air Defence of Calcutta, EAC, with 69 (Beaufighter) and 615 (Spitfire) Sqns[23] | ||
No. 294 Wing RAF | |||
No. 295 Wing RAF | |||
No. 296 Wing RAF | |||
No. 297 Wing RAF | |||
No. 298 Wing RAF | Included 26 Squadron SAAF |
No. 300 Wing – No. 499 Wing
Wing | Date of establishment | Date of disestablishment | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
No. 300 Wing RAF |
|||
No. 301 Wing RAF | |||
No. 302 Wing RAF | |||
No. 303 Wing RAF | |||
No. 321 Wing RAF | |||
No. 322 Wing RAF | November 1942: Mobile Wing in Eastern Air Command (North West Africa) at Maison Blanche with 81, 154 and 242 Squadrons (Spitfire VC), and 225 Squadron (Hurricane IIE)[27] September 1943: in DAF covering Operation Baytown with 81, 151, 154, 232 and 242 Sqns (Spitfire)[8][30] January 1944: in Air Defences, Eastern Mediterranean, with 154, 232 and 242 Sqns (Spitfire)[8] | ||
No. 323 Wing RAF | November 1942: Non-mobile Wing in EAC (NWA) at Maison Blanche with | ||
No. 324 Wing RAF | November 1942: Mobile Wing in EAC (NWA) at Maison Blanche with 72, 93, 111 and 152 Squadrons (Spitfire VB) and 255 Squadron (Beaufighter VIF)[27] September 1943: in DAF covering Operation Baytown with 43, 72, 93, 111, 243 (Spitfire) and 600 (BeaufighterVIF) Sqns[8][30] April 1945: in DAF with 42, 73, 93 Sqns (Spitfire IX)[28] | ||
No. 325 Wing RAF | 14 September 1942 | 30 June 1943 | Naval Co-operation wing November 1942: Mobile Wing in EAC (NWA) at Algiers with 32 and 87 Squadrons (Hurricane IIC), 232 and 243 Squadrons (Spitfire VB), 241 (Hurricane IIE) and 600 (Beaufighter VIF) Aqns[27] |
25 August 1943 | 12 August 1944 | General Reconnaissance Wing in NACAF with 272 and 603 (Beaufighter), 608 (Hudson) and 614 (Bisley) Sqns[8] January 1944: in Malta with 52 (Baltimore) and 614 (Bisley) Sqns[8] | |
1 April 2006 | 2013 | Deployable Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Kinloss | |
No. 326 Wing RAF | November 1942: Semi-mobile Wing in EAC (NWA) at Blida with 13, 18, 114 and 614 Squadrons (Bisley)[27] | ||
No. 328 Wing RAF | November 1942: Non-mobile Wing in EAC (NWA) at Blida with | ||
No. 329 Wing RAF | |||
No. 330 Wing RAF | September 1943: in NASAF with 142 and 150 Squadrons (Wellington III/X)[8] January 1944: in MASAF with 142 and 150 Sqns (Wellington X)[8] | ||
No. 331 Wing RAF | September 1943: in NASAF with 425 Squadrons RCAF (Wellington X)[8]
| ||
No. 332 Wing RAF | |||
No. 333 Wing RAF | January 1944: in Malta with 52 (Baltimore) and 614 (Bisley) Sqns[8] | ||
No. 334 Wing RAF | July 1944: Special Duties Wing in Balkan Air Force at Cz 1007)[29]
April 1945: in BAF with 1 (SM82) and 88 (Cz 1007) IAF Sqns, 148 (Halifax IV/V/Lysander IIIA) and 44 (SAAF) (Dakota) Sqns, and 16 (USAAF) Sqn (Dakota I/III)[28] | ||
No. 335 Wing RAF | January 1944: in Malta with 87 (Hurricane/Spitfire) and 272 (Beaufighter) Sqns[8] | ||
No. 336 Wing RAF | January 1944: in Mediterranean Allied Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, with | ||
No. 337 Wing RAF | January 1944: in MACAF, with I/5 and III/6 Free French ( 336 (Greek) (Spitfire Vb/Vc), 252 (Beaufighter XC) and detachment 624 (Walrus) Sqns[28]
| ||
No. 338 Wing RAF | January 1944: in MACAF with I/4 (Airacobra) and II/3 (Hurricane) Free French, 32 (Spitfire), 39 (Beaufighter X) and 153 (Beaufighter VIF) Sqns[8] April 1945: in MACAF with 237 (Rhodesian) (Spitfire IX) and 255 (Mosquito XIX) Sqns[28] | ||
No. 339 Wing RAF | |||
No. 340 Wing RAF | April 1945: in MACAF with II/6 and II/9 (Free French) (Airacobra), 2S (Free French (Latécoère) and 4S (Free French) (Walrus) Sqns[28] | ||
No. 341 Wing RAF | June 1945: Transport Wing in 232 Group, RAF Burma, with 62, 194 and 267 Sqns (Dakota)[24] | ||
No. 342 Wing RAF | June 1945: Transport Wing in 232 Group, RAF Burma, with 31, 117 and 436 (RCAF) Sqns (Dakota)[24]
| ||
No. 343 Wing RAF | |||
No. 344 Wing RAF | |||
No. 345 Wing RAF | June 1945: Transport Wing in 232 Group, RAF Burma, with 435 (RCAF) Sqn (Dakota)[24]
| ||
No. 346 Wing RAF | June 1945: in 222 Group with 22 (Beaufighter), 230 (Sunderland), 136 (Spitfire) Sqns[24] | ||
No. 347 Wing RAF | June 1945: Photo Reconnaissance Wing in 231 Group, RAF Burma, with 681 (Spitfire) and 684 (Mosquito) Sqns[24] | ||
No. 348 Wing RAF | |||
No. 349 Wing RAF | |||
No. 350 Wing RAF | |||
No. 351 Wing RAF |
No. 500 Wing – No. 999 Wing
Wing | Date of establishment | Date of disestablishment | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
No. 500 Wing RAF | |||
No. 551 Wing RAF | Would have been part of RAF Gutersloh in Germany in the mid 1950s.
| ||
No. 552 Wing RAF | |||
No. 553 Wing RAF | |||
No. 554 Wing RAF | |||
No. 700 Wing RAF | |||
No. 701 Wing RAF | |||
No. 900 Wing RAF | |||
No. 901 Wing RAF |
1 October 1944 |
December 1945 | December 1944: Tactical Wing at Chiringa, India, in 224 Group 3rd Tactical Air Force (3 TAF), with 27, 177, and 211 Sqns (Beaufighter)[23][32]
June 1945: Non-operational in 224 Group with 45, 82, St. Thomas Mount[32]
|
1 April 2006 | Expeditionary Air Wing deployed to Middle East No 83 Expeditionary Air Group
| ||
No. 902 Wing RAF |
1 December 1944 |
Tactical Wing formed from 166 (Tactical) Wing;[33] December 1944: at Chittagong in 224 Group EAC with 9 (RIAF) (Hurricane), 39 and 135 (Thunderbolt), and 459 USAAF (Lightning) Sqns[23]
June 1945: Non-operational in 224 Group with 11 Sqn (Hurricane)[24] | |
1 April 2006 | Expeditionary Air Wing deployed to Middle East No 83 Expeditionary Air Group
| ||
No. 903 Wing RAF |
1 December 1944 | 31 October 1945 | Tactical Wing formed at Patenga in 224 Group, 3 TAF
[34] |
2003 | 2009 | Expeditionary Air Wing at Operation Telic
| |
2009 | 2014 | Expeditionary Air Wing at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan for Operation Herrick
| |
14 December 2014 | Expeditionary Air Wing at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in support of Operation Shader | ||
No. 904 Wing RAF |
December 1944: at Cox's Bazar in 224 Group EAC with 2 (RIAF) and 4 (RIAF) Sqns (Hurricane) and 237 Sqn (Spitfire)[23]
June 1945: Non-operational in 224 Group with 134 and 258 Sqns (Thunderbolt)[24] | ||
2006 | 2015 | Expeditionary Air Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan for Operation Herrick | |
No. 905 Wing RAF |
November 1944 | 31 October 1945 | December 1944: at Jalia, India, in 224 Group, EAC[36] with 134 and 258 Sqns (Thunderbolt)[23]
June 1945: Non-operational in 224 Group with 5, 30, 123 and 135 Sqns (Thunderbolt)[24] |
1 April 2006 | Expeditionary Air Wing at RAF Mount Pleasant[36] Falkland Islands | ||
No. 906 Wing RAF |
1 December 1944 | 13 November 1945 | Tactical Wing formed at Tulihal from 170 (Bomber) Wing;[37] December 1944: at Imphal in 221 Group EAC with 1 (RIAF), 42 and 60 Sqns (Hurricane)[23] June 1945: in 221 Group, RAF Burma, with 28 (Hurricane), 176 (Beaufighter), 273 and 607 (Spitfire) Sqns[24] |
2011 | 2011 | Expeditionary Air Wing at Gioia del Colle Air Base, Italy in support of Operation Ellamy[37] | |
15 January 2013 | Expeditionary Air Wing at Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates | ||
No. 907 Wing RAF |
December 1944: at Tamu in 221 Group EAC with 11 (Hurricane) and 152 (Spitfire) Sqns[23] June 1945: Non-operational in 224 Group with 20 Sqn (Hurricane)[24] | ||
2011 | 2011 | Expeditionary Air Wing at RAF Akrotiri in support of Operation Ellamy | |
No. 908 Wing RAF | December 1944: at Kumbhirgram in 221 Group EAC with 43 Sqn (Mosquito)[23] June 1945: in 221 Group, RAF Burma, with 47 and 110 Sqns (Mosquito)[24] | ||
No. 909 Wing RAF | December 1944: at Pallel in 221 Group EAC with 17, 153 and 607 Sqns (Spitfire), 34 and 113 Sqns (Hurricane)[23] June 1945: in 221 Group, RAF Burma, with 152 and 155 Sqns (Spitfire)[24] | ||
No. 910 Wing RAF | December 1944: at Wangjing in 221 Group EAC with 79, 146 and 261 Sqns (Thunderbolt)[23] June 1945: in 221 Group, RAF Burma, with 34, 42, 79 and 113 Sqns (Thunderbolts)[24] |
Expeditionary Air Wings
Formed on 1 April 2006, Expeditionary Air Wings (EAW) are established at the following RAF Flying Stations:
- ISTAR)
- 38 EAW(Air Transport)
- RAF Coningsby – 121 EAW (Fighter)
- RAF Leeming – 135 EAW
- RAF Marham – 138 EAW (Ground Attack)
- RAF Lossiemouth – 140 EAW[38]
Deployed EAWs
- No. 901 EAW – Deployed to Middle East[32]
- No. 902 EAW – Deployed to Middle East[33]
- No. 903 EAW – RAF Akrotiri[34]
- No. 905 EAW – Falklands Islands[36]
- No. 906 EAW – Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates since 15 January 2013[37]
Disbanded EAWs
- 122 EAW – RAF Cottesmore
- 125 EAW – RAF Leuchars
- 904 EAW – Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan – stood down December 2014[39]
- 907 EAW – RAF Akrotiri[40]
Force Protection Wings
Formed from
- No 2 Force Protection Wing – RAF Leeming
- No 3 Force Protection Wing – RAF Marham
- No 4 Force Protection Wing – RAF Brize Norton
- No 5 Force Protection Wing – RAF Lossiemouth
- No 7 Force Protection Wing – RAF Coningsby
- No 8 Force Protection Wing – RAF Waddington
RAF Force Protection Wings were, until April 2004, known as Tactical Survive To Operate Headquarters (Tac STO HQs).
Miscellaneous Wings
- No 1 Air Mobility Wing – RAF Brize Norton– HQ Squadron, 44 Mobile Air Movements Squadron and 45 Mobile Air Movements Squadron. This is UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron (UKMAMS) expanded to wing strength.
- No. 42 (Expeditionary Support) Wing – RAF Wittering
- No. 85 (Expeditionary Logistics) Wing – RAF Wittering
- No. 1 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Wing – RAF Waddington[42]
- ISTAR Air Wing – RAF Waddington[42]
- 2nd Tactical Air Force Communication Wing RAF - formed 31 March 1945; disbanded 15 July 1945 at RAF Buckeburg. Became British Air Forces of Occupation Communication Squadron.[43]
Station-based Wings
A typical Royal Air Force flying
- Administrative Wing / Base (Station) Support Wing / Support Wing
- Depth Support Wing
- Forward Support Wing
- Operations Wing
On a smaller RAF Station, these functions may be termed squadrons but their role is identical.
Specialised Station-based Wings
Some stations has Wings which are customised to their particular role with the RAF:
Tactical Wings
Wings termed 'Tactical' within the Royal Air Force provide are cohesive, specialised teams.
- Tactical Communications Wing – RAF Leeming
- Tactical Imagery-Intelligence Wing – RAF Marham – Disbanded, merged to become No. 1 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing RAF based at RAF Waddington
- Tactical Medical Wing – RAF Brize Norton – This unit has the Latin motto "Summum Bonum" which means 'for the highest good'. It became operational on 1 April 1996 and its CO is currently Wing Commander Alan Cranfield. Some of its sub-units are Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Deployable Aeromedical Response Teams (DARTS), Operational Training Squadron and Operations and Logistics Squadron.
- Tactical Provost Wing – RAF Honington
- Tactical Supply Wing – MOD Stafford
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db Wings 1–50 at Air of Authority.
- ^ a b Bullock.
- ^ a b c d MacmIllan Appendix I: 'Commanding Officers RNAS/RFC/RAF in Italy: Brigade, Wings, Squadrons'.
- ^ "Royal Air Force".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac Delve, 'Orders of Battle, June 1944'.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Ellis, Normandy, Appendix VI: 'Allied Air Forces'.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Ellis, Germany, 'Appendix V: The Allied Air Forces'.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av Molony, Vol V, Appendix 4, 'Orders of Battle Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Forces'.
- ^ "RCAF Higher Formations and Reserve Units".
- ^ a b c d Rennles.
- ^ "Royal Air force, Order of Battle, France, 10th May 1940". free.fr. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Ellis, France.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz Wings 51–110 at Air of Authority.
- ^ "Subterranea Britannica: Sites:RAF Hayscastle Cross Chain Home & Rotor Radar Station". subbrit.org.uk. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ a b c Falconer, Appendix IV: 'Orders of Battle'.
- ^ Jones, p. 176.
- ^ "BBC - WW2 People's War - the War in 80 (Signals) Wing RAF". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ^ Groups 70–106 at Air of Authority.
- ^ Royal Air Force Facebook Post 24 April 2017 at 16:41
- ^ "Royal Air Force". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Woodburn Kirby, Vol II, Appendix 32, 'Order of Battle of Air Forces, India and Ceylon, June 1943'.
- ^ a b c RAFWeb. "Wing Nos 111-192".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Woodburn Kirby, Vol IV, Appendix 4, "Outline Order of Battle of Air Command, South East Asia, 12th December 1944".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Woodburn Kirby, Vol V, Appendix 1: "Outline Order of Battle of Air Command, South-East Asia 30th June 1945".
- ^ a b c d Woodburn Kirby, Vol V, Appendix 21: "Outline Order of Battle, RAF Malaya, 1st October 1945".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Playfair, Vol III, Appendix 5, 'Royal Air Force Orders of Battle'.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Playfair, Vol IV, Appendix 8, 'Orders of Battle Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Forces'.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Jackson, Vol VI, Pt III, 'Appendix 3: Order of Battle Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force'.
- ^ a b c Molony, Vol VI, Table V, pp. 406–7.
- ^ a b Molony, Vol V, p. 238.
- ^ "Lancaster Main Page". lancaster-archive.com. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e '901 EAW history' RAF retrieved 20 March 2017.
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- ^ a b "'903 EAW' retrieved 20 March 2017". Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
- ^ Woodburn Kirby, Appendix 23: 'Outline Order of Battle, RAF Netherlands East Indies, 31 December 1945'.
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- ^ "Royal Air Force Typhoons intercept Russian aircraft near Baltics".
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