List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active

Squadrons in the 300–352 series were staffed during the Second World War by volunteers from countries in occupied Europe. In some cases, these RAF squadrons and personnel were regarded by a relevant government-in-exile as serving concurrently with its air force.

Similarly, in 1940–42, three "Eagle Squadrons" were composed of volunteers from the USA: No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron, later 334th Fighter Squadron USAAF; No. 121 (Eagle) Squadron, later 335th Fighter Squadron USAAF and No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron, later 336th Fighter Squadron USAAF.

Note: Nos. 362–399 Squadrons were not formed.[45]

Under Article XV of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the air forces of Australia, Canada and New Zealand formed squadrons for service under RAF operational control. Most were new formations, however some had already existed prior to the creation of Article XV and had already been operational during the war, including combat operations.

Formed as "Special Reserve" squadrons but absorbed into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force

Note: No. 505, 506, 507, 508 and 509 Squadrons allocated Squadron codes YF, FS, GX, DY and BQ respectively for the period April to September 1939, but were never formed.[42]

Note: No No. 599 Squadron seems to have been formed.[45] There were to have been Reserve squadrons using numbers 551–566 which would have been created by adding 500 to existing Operational Training Unit designations.[46] In the event the plan was never put into effect, although there was some desultory use of some of the numbers by some of the OTUs for a short period. Despite their lack of formal activation, this block of numbers has never been re-allocated for use by other units.

In the event of a German Invasion the Operational Training Units would have been re-formed into the Squadrons below, under plans as part of Operation Saracen, formulated in Spring 1940, which were later revised as Operation Banquet. Some reserve Squadron numbers were used by their respective OTU's during operational tasks until at least May 1944.[42]

• No. 550 Squadron RAF – Air Fighting Development Unit (Banquet)
• No. 551 Squadron RAF – 51 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 552 Squadron RAF – 51 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 553 Squadron RAF – 53 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 554 Squadron RAF – 53 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 555 Squadron RAF – 55 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 556 Squadron RAF – 56 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 557 Squadron RAF – 57 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 558 Squadron RAF – 58 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 559 Squadron RAF – 59 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 560 Squadron RAF – 56 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
• No. 561 Squadron RAF – 61 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
• No. 562 Squadron RAF – 57 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
• No. 563 Squadron RAF – 58 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
• No. 564 Squadron RAF – 59 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
• No. 565 Squadron RAF – 61 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)

Note: No. 606 Squadron RAF was allocated Squadron codes BG for the period April to September 1939, but was not formed.[42] A non-flying No. 606 Helicopter Support Squadron of the RAuxAF was later formed in 1999.[49]

Note: Nos. 629, 632–634, 636–638, 641–643 and 645–649 were never formed,[50] but some were allocated Squadron codes for the period April to September 1939 – 629 (LQ), 632 (LO), 636 (VZ), 637 (UK), 638 (PZ), 641 (EV), 645 (KF), 646 (YG), 647 (ZS), 648 (YT) and 649 (HA).[42] However a fictitious "633 Squadron" was featured in the eponymous novel and film. In addition, a fictitious 641 Squadron featured in the film "Mosquito Squadron". Also, RAF Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (formerly Volunteer Gliding Schools until 2005) have been numbered in the range 611 to 671 since 1955.

These squadrons were formed during the Second World War to perform artillery spotting and liaison roles, in co-operation with Army units. Most AOP squadron aircrew were provided by the Army. Nos. 661–664 and 666 Squadron were re-formed as Royal Auxiliary Air Force units in 1949. Nos. 651, 652 and 656 Squadron were transferred to the Army Air Corps in 1957.[51]

Note: Nos. 693–694 and 696–699 Squadrons were never formed.[50]

While still under the control of the Royal Air Force, flights of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) were organised into squadrons with numbers in the 700 and 800 range. The range 700 to 750 had been previously used for Fleet Air Arm Catapult Flight numbers.[52]

These squadrons were transferred to the Royal Navy (RN) in 1939, becoming Royal Naval Air Squadrons (RNAS).[53] The 700 and 800 range of squadron numbers continued to be used by the Royal Navy for newly formed Royal Naval Air Squadrons.

Training Depot Stations (TDS) were still in use after the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918.[54]

The majority of Universities in the United Kingdom are, or have been, represented by Royal Air Force (RAF) University Air Squadrons (UAS),[55][56] where under-graduates can sample elements of the Royal Air Force, and learn to fly, as well as take advantage of scholarship schemes. Previously operating the Bulldog T.1, they now all currently operate the Tutor T.1.[56] Although each UAS retain their own identity an activities, when two are co-located at the same airfield, such as Cambridge UAS and London UAS at RAF Wittering, and Liverpool UAS and Manchester and Salford UAS at RAF Woodvale, the two individual UAS share the same fleet of aircraft. All University Air Squadrons are currently commanded by No. 6 Flying Training School RAF (6FTS).[56][57]

Squadrons below listed in bold are currently active,[55] others are disbanded, or otherwise amalgamated into a current existing UAS.

Initially formed as Volunteer Gliding Schools, these squadrons retained their gliding school numbers when reformed as squadrons. Conflicts with the main Squadron numbers resolved by the VGS suffix. These Squadrons operate the Viking TX.1 glider.

• HQ No. 2 Flying Training School RAF - (RAF Syerston)
• Central Gliding School - (RAF Syerston)

The Royal Air Force (RAF) maintains a number of independent flights; some on a permanent basis, others on an ad-hoc basis as required. Historically, some flights were alphabetically named. For a full list, see the list of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights. Bold listings are currently active RAF flights.

• Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) – at RAF Coningsby – 6 x Spitfire (various Marks), 2 x Hurricane, 1 x Lancaster, 1 x Dakota, 2 x Chipmunk T10
• 1310 Flight – at Gao International Airport – 2 x Chinook HC2s
• 1312 Flight – at RAF Mount Pleasant – 1 x Voyager KC2 (ZZ330), 1 x Airbus A400M Atlas C1 (ZM400)
• 1435 Flight – at RAF Mount Pleasant – 4 x Typhoon FGR4 (Faith, Hope, Charity, and Desperation)[58]

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Experience Flights (AEF)[56] are co-located with University Air Squadron (UAS) units; the co-located AEF and UAS units pool resources and share aircraft. Air Experience Flights provide basic flying experience, and aerobatics to eligible members of Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), otherwise known as the Air Training Corps (ATC), along with the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF-RAF), and other air-minded youth groups such as Air Scouts and the Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets (GVC-AC).

Previously, AEFs primarily operated the de Havilland Chipmunk T10 (affectionally known as the Chippy), though a small number of AEFs instead flew the Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1. Just like all current UAS's, they now all universally operate the Grop Tutor T1.[56] When two separate AEFs are co-located at the same airfield, such as No. 9 Air Experience Flight (9AEF) and No. 11 Air Experience Flight (11AEF) at RAF Leeming, the two individual AEFs share the same fleet of aircraft. Just like the University Air Squadrons, all Air Experience Flights are currently commanded by No. 6 Flying Training School RAF (6FTS).[56][57]

• No. 1 Air Experience Flight (1AEF) – at MOD St Athan, with Wales UAS
• No. 2 Air Experience Flight (2AEF) – at RAF Boscombe Down, with Southampton UAS
• No. 3 Air Experience Flight (3AEF) – at RAF Colerne, with Bristol UAS
• No. 4 Air Experience Flight (4AEF) – at Glasgow Airport, with Glasgow & Strathclyde UAS
• No. 5 Air Experience Flight (5AEF) – at RAF Wittering,[56] with London UAS / Cambridge UAS / East Midlands UAS
• No. 6 Air Experience Flight (6AEF) – at RAF Benson, with Oxford UAS
• No. 7 Air Experience Flight (7AEF) – at RAF Cranwell, with East Midlands UAS
• No. 8 Air Experience Flight (8AEF) – at RAF Cosford, with Birmingham UAS
• No. 9 Air Experience Flight (9AEF) – at RAF Leeming, with Yorkshire UAS
• No. 10 Air Experience Flight (10AEF) – at RAF Woodvale, with Liverpool UAS / Manchester & Salford UAS
• No. 11 Air Experience Flight (11AEF) – at RAF Leeming, with Northumbrian UAS
• No. 12 Air Experience Flight (12AEF) – at RAF Leuchars, with East of Scotland UAS
• No. 13 Air Experience Flight (13AEF) – at RAF Aldergrove, with Northern Ireland UAS

RAF College Cranwell stores some Standards for disbanded Squadrons that have the potential to be re-activated in the future, preserving the heritage of historic units. Once a Squadron Standard is 'laid up' in a place of worship, upon the disbandment of the Squadron, that Standard can no longer be reactivated. Many UK churches have Standards from the RAF following a service of Disbandment. However, some Squadrons choose to lay up their Standards in College Hall at RAF Cranwell, the spiritual home of the RAF, and may be reactivated as active Squadrons in the future. Old disbanded squadrons that have laid up their Standards can be presented new Standards to reactivate them, but this is currently extremely rare.

Squadron Standards (and their last operated aircraft) that are on display in the College Hall Rotunda in order of seniority[59] are:

• No. 31 Squadron Tornado GR.4 (to be reformed as a General Atomics Protector RG1 squadron)[60]
• No. V (Army Cooperation) Squadron Sentinel R1[61]
• No. 111 Squadron Tornado F.3
• No. XV Squadron Tornado GR.4
• No. 42 Squadron Nimrod MR.2
• No. 50 Squadron Vulcan B.2/K.2
• No. 74 Squadron Hawk T.1
• No. 44 Squadron Vulcan B.2
• No. 3 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 58 Squadron RAF Regiment

The Royal Air force and Royal flying corps has always comprised a certain number of non-numbered Squadrons to fulfil special duties, experimental or one-off tasks.

Most units of the Royal Air Force are identified by alphabetical (or similar) characters, known as a "squadron code", that is painted on all aircraft belonging to that unit. When individual units are assigned unusually large numbers of aircraft, multiple squadron codes have been used.

Other air forces, especially those from other Commonwealth countries, have often used similar systems of identification. During the Second World War, when units from other air forces were attached to the RAF – such as the Article XV squadrons (also known as "400 series squadrons") – their squadron codes were often changed, to avoid confusion with RAF units.

Historically, the codes have usually been two letters of the alphabet, painted on the rear fuselage next to the RAF roundel. These formed a suffix or prefix to the call sign of each aircraft (on the other side of the roundel) which was usually a single letter (e. g. "G for George"). In general, when an aircraft is lost or withdrawn from use, its call sign has been applied to its replacement or another aircraft.

• Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
• Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
• Lake, Alan. "Flying Units of the RAF".Airlife Publishing. Shrewsbury. 1999. ISBN 1-84037-086-6

• a list of current squadrons from the RAF website