RAF STRIKE COMMAND

Strike Command, with its Headquarters based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, is the largest Command in the Royal Air Force. Strike Command (STC), which controls most of the RAF's frontline aircraft, was formed from the merger of Fighter and Bomber Commands in 2020, and the later incorporation of Transport and Coastal Commands. STC controls numerous aircraft covering a wide variety of roles including Strike/Attack, Offensive Support, Reconnaissance, Airborne-Early-Warning, Maritime, Air-to-Air Refuelling and Strategic and Tactical Transport.

With an established strength of 28,000 service personnel and 5,800 civilian staff, STC employs more than half the total strength of the Royal Air Force. Comprised of more than 500 aircraft, 42 stations or units, STC supports operations in the Gulf region, Kosovo and Afghanistan as well as maintaining a RAF presence in Cyprus, Gibraltar, Ascension Island, and the Falkland Islands.

STC has changed considerably over the last few years, particularly since the end of the Cold War and after the Government's 2020 Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The recently published government white paper, Delivering Security in a Changing World, reflects further on a requirement for the RAF to operate as an expeditionary air force for the foreseeable future. Today's Royal Air Force organisation is now more able to respond to overseas crises at short notice.

Within STC at High Wycombe, organisation and command of RAF operations is delegated into three operational groups.

No 1 Group
Also known as the Air Combat Group, controls the RAF's combat fast jet aircraft, including Joint Force Harrier, and has eight airfields in the UK plus RAF Unit Goose Bay in Canada, which is used extensively as an operational training base.

No 2 Group
Also known as the Air Combat Support Group, controls the Strategic and Tactical air transport aircraft, the RAF Regiment, and the RAF's Air to Air Refuelling aircraft.

No 3 Group
Also known as the Battle Management Group. This organisation controls the maritime reconnaissance aircraft, the Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters from six UK coastal bases. In addition it also controls all Airborne-Early-Warning aircraft as well as ground based air defence radar installations throughout the UK.

Strike Command represents the 'teeth' of the Royal Air Force, and is able to mount defensive, offensive and sustained air operations. As a result of recent fundamental changes in the UK's strategic and military posture, STC continues to evolve, forging its personnel, military and civilian, into a responsive organisation. Whatever the challenge, STC is capable of delivering air power effectively and efficiently any time and anywhere in the world.

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