History of the Royal Air Force

The history of the Royal Air Force, the air force of the United Kingdom, spans a century of British military aviation.

The RAF was founded on 1 April 1918, towards the end of the First World War by merging the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. After the war, the RAF was greatly reduced in size and during the inter-war years was used for policing operations in the British Empire. The RAF underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. During the war it was responsible for the aerial defence of Great Britain, the strategic bombing campaign against Germany and tactical support to the British Army around the world.

During the Cold War, the main role of the RAF was the defence of the continent of Europe against potential attack by the Soviet Union, including holding the British nuclear deterrent for a number of years. After the end of the Cold War, the RAF took part in several large scale operations, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War.

Formation and the inter-war years

While not the first to use military aircraft, the RAF is the world's oldest independent air force. It was founded on 1 April 1918 by combining the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. This happened because of World War I, where air power became very important. The new RAF was the strongest air force at the time, with over 20,000 planes and 300,000 people.

After World War I, the RAF helped keep order in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. They used planes because it was cheaper than using soldiers on the ground. During these years, the RAF also worked hard to stay important by holding air shows and racing planes. In 1936, it was split into groups like Fighter Command and Bomber Command to better organize its work.

World War II (1939–1945)

Main article: Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II

See also: Air warfare of World War II and Circus offensive

When World War II began in 1939, the RAF grew very quickly. Many pilots from other countries, like Canada and Australia, joined to help. One important moment was the Battle of Britain in 1940, when RAF pilots fought against many enemy planes. Their brave work helped protect the United Kingdom.

The RAF also flew many bombing missions over Germany. They used big planes for night attacks, sometimes with up to 1,000 aircraft. Some famous missions targeted important places in Germany.

1948 Arab–Israeli War

Main article: 1948 Arab–Israeli War

After the end of British control in Palestine, the country of Israel was created on 14 May 1948. Soon after, forces from several Arab countries, including Egypt, moved into the area. The Egyptian air force used small bombers and older fighter planes called Spitfires.

During this time, the Royal Air Force found itself involved in the conflict. Their bases were attacked, and their airplanes were sometimes shot down while they were flying over the area. This was a complicated and confusing time in the Middle East.

Cold War (1947–1990)

After World War II, the Royal Air Force was reorganized with new jet fighters and bombers. One of the first actions of the Cold War was supporting the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and 1949 to help bring supplies to the city.

The RAF played roles in several conflicts during the Cold War. Although the United Kingdom did not send squadrons to the Korean War, some RAF officers served with the United States Air Force and flew missions. The RAF also took part in operations in Malaya, Kenya, and during the Suez Crisis. In the 1960s, RAF aircraft were involved in the Konfrontasi with Indonesia, though it did not become a full war.

Belize faced threats from Guatemala in the 1970s and 1980s. The RAF sent helicopters and Harrier jets to help protect the area and support British troops.

The Falklands War in 1982 saw RAF aircraft deployed from bases in the mid-Atlantic and on Navy ships. They helped protect ships, conduct ground attacks, and support the overall effort. After the war, the RAF continued to provide air defense for the Falkland Islands, building a new base at RAF Mount Pleasant.

1990–2000

Gulf War

Before the Gulf War, RAF fighters were stationed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. On 17 January 1991, the main air campaign started, and over 100 RAF aircraft participated in many different roles. This was a big moment for the RAF because it was the first time they used precision-guided munitions in large numbers. After the war, the RAF helped enforce no-fly zones over Iraq and took part in the Bombing of Iraq in 1998.

Balkans

In 1993, RAF Tornado F3s and AWACS aircraft helped with Operation Deny Flight, a NATO operation to control airspace over Bosnia and Herzegovina. This operation lasted until late 1995.

The Kosovo War in 1999 was the first time since World War II that the RAF flew missions over Europe. During the bombing of Yugoslavia, the RAF used Harrier GR7 and Tornado ground attack jets, along with many support aircraft.

2001–present

"War on Terror"

As part of the United Kingdom's efforts in the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, the RAF helped the United States by using special aircraft for refuelling and watching for dangers. Helicopters carried supplies for soldiers. In 2004, RAF planes were sent to Afghanistan to support local forces.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq saw many RAF planes helping in the area. After the fighting, RAF helicopters and planes stayed to help keep things safe.

In 2013, the RAF helped a French operation in Mali by moving vehicles and watching for dangers. In 2014, the RAF searched for missing schoolgirls in Nigeria but were not able to rescue them at that time.

Today, the RAF is part of efforts against harmful groups, flying from bases in Cyprus to destroy enemy targets and deliver aid in Iraq (2014–present) and Syria.

In 2015, RAF helicopters went to Afghanistan to help train local forces.

In 2018, RAF helicopters were sent to Mali to help with ongoing operations there.

Libyan civil war

In 2011, the RAF helped in Libya as part of a larger effort. Planes and helicopters were used to support the mission.

Other operations and activities

In 2004, RAF planes went to the Baltic States to help with safety duties. After a big earthquake in 2004, RAF planes helped bring supplies to areas that needed them.

The RAF celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2008 with special flights over London.

In 2016, RAF planes went to South Korea and Japan for training with other countries' forces.

The RAF celebrated its 100th anniversary on 1 April 2018 with special events.

In May 2026, an RAF plane dropped a team of medical workers to help someone on the remote island of Tristan da Cunha who was very sick. The team brought important medical supplies and oxygen.

Number of personnel

Main article: Personnel numbers in the Royal Air Force

After World War I ended, the Royal Air Force became much smaller. It grew again just before World War II. During that war, more than one million people served in the RAF. After World War II, the number of people in the RAF slowly went down.