List of Royal Air Force & Defence Units & Establishments

There have been many Units with various tasks in the Royal Air Force and they are listed here. A unit is an administrative 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 Benson
 * Belvedere Conversion Unit - RAF Odiham
 * Belvedere Trials Unit - RAF Odiham
 * Blenheim Refresher Unit
 * Canberra Trials and Tactical Evaluation Unit - RAF Akrotiri
 * Halifax Training Unit - 1331 H(T)CU.
 * Harrier Conversion Team - RAF Wittering
 * Jaguar Conversion Team - RAF Lossiemouth


 * Jet Provost Trials Unit - RAF Tengah, Singapore.
 * Tornado F.3 Operational Evaluation Unit - RAF Coningsby
 * Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit -
 * Twin Pioneer Conversion Unit - RAF Odiham
 * Victor (B.2) Trials Unit - RAF Cottesmore
 * Warwick Training Unit
 * Washington Conversion Unit - RAF Marham
 * Wessex Intensive Flying Trials Unit - RAF Odiham

Refresher Flying Units

 * No. 1 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 2 (Pilots) Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 1 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 2 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 3 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 4 Refresher Flying Unit


 * No. 5 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 6 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 7 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 8 Refresher Flying Unit
 * No. 9 Refresher Flying Unit

Observers

 * No. 1 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 2 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 3 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 4 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 6 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit


 * No. 7 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 8 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 9 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 10 (Observers) Advanced Flying Unit

Pilots

 * No. 2 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 3 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 6 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 7 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 9 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 11 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit


 * No. 12 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 14 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 15 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 17 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 18 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 19 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 20 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit
 * No. 21 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit

Anti-aircraft units

 * No. 1 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 2 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 3 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 3/4 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 4 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 5 Civilian Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, IAFVR
 * No. 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, IAFVR
 * No. 3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, IAFVR
 * No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit,Indian Air Force
 * No. 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit,Indian Air Force
 * No. 3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit,Indian Air Force
 * No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 2 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit


 * No. 3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 4 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 5 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 6 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 7 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 8 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 9 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 21 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 22 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 23 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 24 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit Planned but cancelled.
 * No. 25 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * No. 26 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit

Command units

 * Bomber Command Development Unit
 * Bomber Command Experimental Unit
 * Coastal Command Development Unit
 * Coastal Command Fighter Affiliation Training Unit
 * Coastal command Fighter Circus


 * Fighter Command Trials Unit
 * Transport Command Aircrew Examining Unit
 * Transport Command Development Unit
 * Transport Command Examining Unit

Ferry units

 * No. 1 Ferry Unit
 * No. 2 Ferry Unit
 * No. 3 Ferry Unit
 * No. 4 Ferry Unit
 * No. 5 Ferry Unit
 * No. 6 Ferry Unit
 * No. 7 Ferry Unit
 * No. 8 Ferry Unit
 * No. 9 Ferry Unit
 * No. 10 Ferry Unit
 * No. 11 Ferry Unit
 * No. 12 Ferry Unit
 * No. 13 Ferry Unit
 * No. 14 Ferry Unit
 * No. 15 Ferry Unit
 * No. 16 Ferry Unit
 * No. 1 Ferry Crew Pool Unit
 * No. 2 Ferry Crew Pool Unit
 * No. 3 Ferry Crew Pool Unit
 * No. 1 Ferry Pilots Pool
 * No. 2 Ferry Pilots Pool
 * No. 3 Ferry Pilots Pool
 * No. 1 (Long-Range) Ferry Unit
 * No. 3 (Long-Range) Ferry Unit
 * No. 1 (Overseas) Ferry Unit
 * No. 2 (Home) Ferry Unit
 * No. 4 (Home) Ferry Unit
 * No. 7 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool
 * No. 8 (Service) Ferry Pool
 * No. 9 (Service) Ferry Pilots Pool


 * No. 1 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
 * No. 2 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
 * No. 3 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
 * No. 4 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
 * No. 5 Ferry Pool, Royal Air Force
 * No. 301 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 302 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 303 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 304 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 305 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 306 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 307 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 308 Ferry Training and Test Flying Unit
 * No. 308 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 309 Ferry Training and Aircraft Despatch Unit
 * No. 309 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 310 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 311 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 312 Ferry Training Unit
 * No. 313 Ferry Training and Conversion Unit
 * No. 313 Ferry Training Unit
 * Ferry Crew pool Unit
 * Ferry Training and Despatch Unit
 * Ferry Training Unit
 * Overseas Ferry Unit
 * Service Ferry Pilots Pool

Other Units

 * 'Q' Unit
 * 'Z' Unit, British Somaliland
 * No. 1 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool
 * No. 1 Air Ambulance Unit RAAF
 * No. 1 Air-Sea Rescue Unit (North Africa)
 * No. 1 Aircraft Delivery Unit
 * No. 1 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 1 British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
 * No. 1 British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
 * No. 1 British Airways RepAir Unit
 * No. 1 Camouflage Unit
 * No. 1 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
 * No. 1 Coast Artillery Co-operation Unit
 * No. 1 Delivery Unit
 * No. 1 Engine Consumption Unit
 * No. 1 Engine Control Demonstration Unit
 * No. 1 Fighter Support Training Unit
 * No. 1 General Reconnaissance Unit
 * No. 1 Grading Unit (Airwork)
 * No. 1 Group Pool
 * No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
 * No. 1 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
 * No. 1 Practice Flying Unit
 * No. 1 Pupil Pilots Pool
 * No. 1 Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
 * No. 1 Tactical Exercise Unit
 * No. 1 Tactical Weapons Unit
 * No. 1 Torpedo Training Unit
 * No. 11 (Landplane) Aircraft Preparation and Modification Unit
 * No. 11 (Landplane) Preparation and Modification Unit
 * No. 11 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 11 Group Pool
 * No. 12 (Flying Boat) Aircraft Preparation and Modification Unit
 * No. 12 (Flying Boat) Preparation and Modification Unit
 * No. 12 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 12 Group Pool
 * No. 13 Aircraft Modification Unit
 * No. 13 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 2 (Middle East) Pilots and Aircrew Pool
 * No. 2 Aircraft Delivery Unit
 * No. 2 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 2 British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
 * No. 2 Camouflage Unit
 * No. 2 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
 * No. 2 General Reconnaissance Unit
 * No. 2 Grading Unit (Airwork)
 * No. 2 Group Pool
 * No. 2 Group Support Unit
 * No. 2 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
 * No. 2 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 2 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
 * No. 2 Pupil Pilots Pool
 * No. 2 Tactical Exercise Unit
 * No. 2 Torpedo Training Unit
 * No. 201 Crew Training Unit
 * No. 202 Crew Training Unit
 * No. 203 Crew Training Unit
 * No. 204 Crew Training Unit
 * No. 3 Aircraft Delivery Unit
 * No. 3 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 3 Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
 * No. 3 Fighter Support Training Unit
 * No. 3 General Reconnaissance Unit
 * No. 3 Group Pool
 * No. 3 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
 * No. 3 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF (India)
 * No. 3 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
 * No. 3 Pupil Pilots Pool
 * No. 3 Tactical exercise Unit
 * No. 3 Tactical Exercise Unit
 * No. 4 Aircraft Delivery Unit
 * No. 4 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 4 Group Pool
 * No. 4 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
 * No. 4 Overseas Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 4 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
 * No. 4 Tactical Exercise Unit
 * No. 5 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 5 Group Pool
 * No. 5 Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit
 * No. 5 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit RAF
 * No. 6 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 7 Aircraft Preparation Unit
 * No. 83 Group Support Unit
 * No. 84 Group Support Unit
 * No. 88 Group Support Unit
 * 2nd Tactical Air Force Air Sea Rescue Unit
 * 2nd Tactical Air Force Development Unit
 * 2nd Tactical Air Force Support Unit
 * Advanced Flying Training Unit
 * Advanced Flying Unit, Sétif
 * Air Combat Development Unit (Middle East)
 * Air Command Southeast Asia Communication Unit
 * Air Defence Co-operation Unit
 * Air Defence Unit, Tanganyika
 * Air Fighting Development Unit
 * Air Fighting Training Unit
 * Air Gunnery Training Unit
 * Air Ministry Servicing Development Unit
 * Air Movements Development Unit
 * Air Photographic Development Unit
 * Air Pilotage Unit
 * Air Transport Development Centre (India)
 * Air Transport Development Unit
 * Air Transport Tactical Development Unit
 * Air-Sea Rescue Training Unit
 * Air-Sea warfare Development Unit (ACSEA)
 * Air-Sea warfare Development Unit
 * Airborne Forces Research Centre (India)
 * Airborne Forces Tactical Development Unit
 * Aircraft Delivery Unit
 * Aircraft Torpedo Development Unit
 * Aircrew Testing and Grading Unit
 * Aircrew Transit Pool
 * Airwork Grading Unit
 * Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia
 * Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit
 * Armament and Instrument Experimental Unit
 * Armament Experimental Station
 * Army Co-operation Development Unit


 * Beam Approach Development Unit
 * Blind Approach Training and Development Unit
 * Blind Landing Detachment
 * Blind Landing Experimental Unit
 * Bomb Ballistic and Blind Landing Experimental Unit
 * Bomb Ballistic Unit
 * Bomber Development Unit
 * Bomber Support Development Unit
 * Bombing Development Unit
 * Bombing Trials Unit
 * Bombing Trials Unit
 * British Airways RepAir Unit (Middle East)
 * British Airways Training Unit
 * Civilian Fighter Control Co-operation Unit
 * Coast Defence Development Unit
 * Electronic Warfare and Avionics Unit
 * Enemy Aircraft Storage and Servicing Unit
 * Engine Consumption Unit
 * Experimental Air Ambulance Service
 * Experimental Co-operation Unit
 * Far East Tactical Development Unit
 * Far East Training Squadron
 * Fighter Affiliation Training Unit
 * Fighter Armament Trials Unit
 * Fighter Interception Development Unit
 * Fighter Interception Unit
 * Fleet Requirements Unit
 * Floatplane Training Unit
 * Flying Boat Practice Camp
 * GEE (TR1335) Training Unit
 * Glider Exercise Unit
 * Glider Pilot Exercise Unit
 * Glider Training Unit
 * Gransden lodge NavigationTraining Unit
 * Gremlin Task Force - Japanese aircraft and crew transport operations
 * Ground Attack Training Unit
 * Gunnery Research Unit
 * Habbaniya Air Striking Force
 * Helicopter Development Unit
 * Home Command Examining Unit
 * India Detachment, Chinese Air Force Cadet School
 * Instant Readiness Reserve Unit
 * Joint Concealment Centre (Royal Air Force Component)
 * Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit
 * Jungle Target Research Unit
 * Long-Range Desert Group
 * Long-Range Development Unit
 * LORAN Training Unit
 * Majunga Detachment Support Unit
 * Marine Aircraft Experimental Section
 * Marine Aircraft Experimental Unit
 * Merchant Ship Fighter Unit
 * Middle East Advanced Crew Training Unit
 * Navigation Training Unit
 * Night Fighter Unit, Malta
 * Night Ground Attack Trials Unit
 * Operational and Refresher Training Unit
 * Overseas Aircraft Despatch Unit, Kemble and Portreath
 * Overseas Experimental Unit
 * Parachute Test Unit
 * Pathfinder Navigation Training Unit
 * Photographic Development Unit
 * Photographic Reconnaissance Development Unit
 * Photographic Reconnaissance Unit
 * Pilot Refresher Training Unit
 * Pilot Training Unit and ReinForcement Pool
 * Pilotless Aircraft Section
 * Pilotless Aircraft Unit
 * Pilots and Aircrew Pool
 * Pilots ReinForcement and Reserve Pool
 * Pool of Pilots, Joyce Green
 * Pool of Pilots, Manston
 * Pupil Pilots Pool
 * Radar Research Flying Unit
 * Radio Engineering Unit
 * RAF Element, Air Transport Development Centre
 * ReinForcement and Reserve Pool
 * ReinForcement and Reserve Pool
 * Research and Development Unit
 * Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – 'The Red Arrows'
 * Royal Air Force Detachment, Perth
 * Royal Air Force Element, Allied Tactical Air Intelligence Unit, Southeast Asia
 * Royal Air Force Element, Helicopter Development Unit
 * Royal Air Force Film Production Unit
 * Royal Air Force Film Unit
 * Royal Air Force Instructional Mission, South Russia
 * Royal Air Force Liaiason Office, Chinese Elementary Flying Training School
 * Royal Air Force Training Mission, South Russia
 * Signals Development Unit
 * Signals Flying Unit
 * Special Duties (Radio) Development Unit
 * Special Installation Unit
 * Staff Pilot Training Unit
 * Strategic Reconnaissance Unit
 * Strike /Attack Operational Evaluation Unit
 * Strike Command Development Unit
 * Survival and Rescue Training Unit
 * Tactical and Weapon Development Unit
 * Tactical Weapons Unit
 * Target Towing Section, Shallufa
 * Torpedo Development Section
 * Torpedo Development Unit
 * Torpedo Training Unit
 * Training Unit and Reserve Pool
 * Transport Support Practice Camp (BAFO)
 * Transport Support Practice Camp
 * Transport Support Training Unit
 * Tropical Experimental Unit
 * Wireless Development Unit
 * Wireless Intelligence Development Unit
 * Wireless Testing Park

Communication Units

 * Aden Communication Unit
 * Air Headquarters Bengal Communication Unit
 * Bengal Communication Unit
 * Communication Unit, Desert Air Force


 * Communication Unit, Helioopolis
 * Communication Unit, Western Desert
 * Mediterranean Air Command Communication Unit

Communications Wings

 * 2nd Tactical Air Force Communication Wing

Armament Practice and Training Units
To hone aircrew weapons skills armament practice camps and stations have been used and these are listed here.


 * No. 11 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 12 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 13 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 14 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 15 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 16 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 17 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 18 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 20 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 21 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 22 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 23 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 24 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 25 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 26 Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 27 Armament Practice Camp
 * Armament Practice Camp, Butterworth
 * Armament Practice Camp (Middle East Air Force)
 * Armament Practice Camp, Sylt
 * Armament Practice Station, Lübeck
 * Armament Practice Station, Spilsby
 * Armament Practice Station, Sylt
 * No. 1 Armament Practice Station
 * No. 2 Armament Practice Station
 * No. 3 Armament Practice Station
 * No. 1 Armament Training Camp, Kuantan
 * No. 1 Armament Training Camp


 * No. 2 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 3 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 4 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 5 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 6 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 7 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 8 Armament Training Camp
 * No. 1 Armament Training Station
 * No. 1 Armament Training Station (France)
 * No. 2 Armament Training Station
 * No. 3 Armament Training Station
 * No. 4 Armament Training Station
 * No. 5 Armament Training Station
 * No. 6 Armament Training Station
 * No. 7 Armament Training Station
 * No. 8 Armament Training Station
 * No. 9 Armament Training Station
 * No. 1 Armament Training Unit
 * Fighter Command Missile Practice Camp
 * No. 15 Group Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 16 Group Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 18 Group Armament Practice Camp
 * No. 19 Group Armament Practice Camp
 * Middle East Air Force Armament Practice Camp
 * Temporary Armament Training Camp, Aldergrove
 * Temporary Armament Training Camp, Flimstone
 * Temporary Armament Training Camp, Leuchars
 * Temporary Armament Training Camp, North Coates Fitties
 * Temporary Armament Training Station, Leuchars
 * Temporary Armament Training Station, North Coates Fitties

Training Wings

 * No. 1 Combat Training Wing


 * No. 2 Combat Training Wing

Establishments

 * Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment
 * Aeroplane Experimental Establishment (Home)
 * Aeroplane Experimental Station
 * Aeroplane Testing Squadron
 * Aircraft and Armament Evaluation Establishment
 * Air Fighting Development Establishment
 * Air Warfare Centre
 * Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment
 * Central Fighter Establishment
 * Central Flying School
 * Central Flying School (Southern Rhodesia)
 * Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE)
 * Chemical Defence Establishment
 * Chemical Defence Experimental Establishment
 * Chemical Warfare Experimental Station (CWES)
 * Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA)
 * Defence Research Agency
 * Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
 * Fighter Experimental Establishment
 * Guided Projectiles Establishment
 * Home Aircraft Depot
 * Inland Area Aircraft Depot
 * Institute of Aviation Medicine
 * Instrument Design Establishment
 * Instrument Design Establishment (Home)
 * Joint Warfare Establishment
 * Long-Range Weapons Establishment
 * Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment
 * Microbiological Research Establishment
 * Propellants, Explosives and Rocket Motor Establishment (PERME Westcott & PERME Waltham Abbey)
 * Radio Warfare Establishment


 * Rocket Propulsion Establishment
 * Royal Air Force (Cadet) College
 * Royal Air Force Base, Calshot
 * Royal Air Force Base, Gosport
 * Royal Air Force Station, Gosport
 * Royal Air Force Base, Leuchars
 * Royal Air Force College
 * Royal Air Force College of Air Warfare
 * Royal Air Force Flying College
 * Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine
 * Royal Air Force Seaplane Establishment
 * Royal Air Force Station, Leuchars
 * Royal Air Force Technical College
 * Royal Air Force Training Base, Leuchars
 * Royal Aircraft Establishment
 * Royal Engineers Experimental Station
 * Royal Aircraft Factory
 * Strike Command Air to Air Missile Establishment
 * Telecommunications Research Establishment
 * Telecommunications Flying Unit
 * Test and Evaluation Establishment
 * Testing Squadron
 * Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment
 * Visual Inter-Service Training and Research Establishment
 * War Department Experimental Ground
 * Winter Research Establishment
 * Winterisation Experimental Establishment
 * Wireless Experimental Establishment

Foreign Air Arms

 * Burmese Volunteer Air Force
 * Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force
 * Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Force (Air Component)
 * Kenya Auxiliary Air Unit
 * Kenya Pool
 * Malayan Volunteer Air Force
 * Norwegian Training Base


 * Polish Fighting Team (Skalski's Circus), attached to 145 Squadron
 * Polish Training Unit
 * Rhodesian Air Unit
 * Rhodesian Air Unit of the Territorial Forces
 * Southern Rhodesian Air Force
 * Straits Settlements Volunteer Air force
 * Yugoslav Holding Unit