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90th Anniversary

90th Anniversary

DECORATION.

In World War II, RAF Pilots played a key role in preventing Hitler’s invasion of Britain. During the ensuing Cold War, their main role was to defend Western Europe against potential attack from the Soviet Union. In recent years, the RAF has taken part in a number of large-scale operations including the Falklands and Gulf conflicts and peacekeeping missions in the Balkans, Africa and elsewhere. RAF personnel are currently serving in many locations throughout the world as well as in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Per Ardua Ad Astra, meaning ‘Through Adversity to the Stars’.

1918

1 Apr - The Royal Air Force (RAF) is formed combining the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. A female branch of the new Service, the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) is also formed.

11 Nov - World War I ends. By now the RAF is the largest Air Force in the world with 27,333 officers, 263,837 other ranks, 22,647 aircraft, 103 airships, 133 front-line squadrons, 15 flights and 270 aerodromes overseas, 55 front-line squadrons, 75 training squadrons/depots, 401 aerodromes at home and 25,000 WRAF members.

1920

5 Feb - The RAF College opens at Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

1938

June - The Supermarine Spitfire, perhaps the most famous RAF aircraft ever, enters service with No. 19 Squadron at Duxford. It had a top speed of 362 mph.

1939

3 Sep - Britain enters World War II. A Bristol Blenheim carries out the RAF’s first operational sortie of the war - photographic reconnaissance of the German naval base of Wilhelmshaven.

1940

Jul-Aug – The Battle of Britain sees the RAF help defend Britain against Germany’s planned invasion. Prime Minister Winston Churchill said of the RAF effort: “Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed by so many to so few.”

1945

7 May – Victory in Europe Day marks the final days of World War II.

1948

20 Sept - Pilot Officer Jean Lennox Bird of the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF) Volunteer Reserve becomes first woman to receive Royal Air Force (RAF) Pilot’s wings.

Oct - A Canberra bomber belonging to the RAF Flying College, Manby, makes the first jet flight over the North Pole.

1956

10 March - A Fairey Delta 2 jet captures the World’s Absolute Speed Record at 1,132 mph between Ford and Chichester in Sussex. Piloted by Lt Cdr P Twiss, this was the first aircraft to exceed 1,000 mph in level flight.

1964

1 March - Red Arrows officially created as a squadron. The Red Arrows badge shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation, with the motto Eclat, meaning “brilliance” or “excellence”.

1 Apr - The world’s first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the Harrier, enters service with No. 233 OCU, RAF Wittering.

1980

2 Dec - The first Chinook HC1 helicopters for use by the RAF are officially handed over in a ceremony at RAF Odiham.

1982

April - June - Falklands War. British troops and aircraft deployed after the Argentine army invades the Falkland Islands.

1990

10 May- Flight Lieutenants Julie Ann Gibson and Sally Cox become the first female pilots to fly solo in Royal Air Force (RAF) jet aircraft.

2001

Oct - RAF deployed to Afghanistan. As part of Operation Herrick, RAF Harriers and support personnel are still based at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, operating in the close air support role against the Taliban.

2007

The Harrier gets an upgrade, known as the new Harrier GR9, its avionics and weapons upgrade allows the carriage of the latest smart weapons.

2008

1st April - RAF celebrates 90 years of proud history. Now the world’s oldest air force.