Royal Air Force
Air and space warfare force of the United Kingdom
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The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the second independent air force in the world after the Finnish Air Force, by merging the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Following the Allied victory over the Central Powers in 1918, the RAF emerged as the largest air force in the world at the time. Since its formation, the RAF has played a significant role in British military history. In particular, during the Second World War, the RAF established air superiority over Hermann Göring's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, and led the Allied strategic bombing effort.
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Harry Dunn: Coroner calls for better driver training for Americans at RAF base near where teenager diedThe coroner in the inquest into the death of Harry Dunn has recommended better driver training for Americans at the RAF base near where the 19-year-old was killed.Sky News - Published | |
Battle of Britain planes grounded after death of pilot in Spitfire crashThe Royal Air Force has temporarily grounded the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) after the death of a pilot.Sky News - Published | |
Urgent review as D-Day parachute jump scaled back due to lack of RAF aircraftDefence chiefs are scrambling to get more planes for a D-Day 80th anniversary parachute drop as crises in Ukraine and the Middle East have left the RAF's fleet stretched.Sky News - Published | |
Government 'operationalising' Rwanda flights amid reports RAF Voyagers could be usedThe government is "working on operationalising" Rwanda flights, a minister has said - amid reports RAF planes could be used for the controversial deportation scheme.Sky News - Published | |
RAF shot down 'a number of drones' in Iran's attack on Israel, PM confirmsUK jets shot down "a number of drones" launched by Iran in its attack on Israel on Saturday night, Rishi Sunak has said.Sky News - Published | |
Barges and RAF bases more expensive than hotels to house asylum seekers - watchdogThe government's alternative plans for housing asylum seekers will actually cost the taxpayer millions more than the hotels they seek to replace, according to a public spending watchdog.Sky News - Published | |
'Wildly irresponsible' Russia 'jams signals' on defence secretary's RAF planeRussia is believed to have jammed the satellite signal on an RAF plane taking Defence Secretary Grant Shapps back to the UK from Poland.Sky News - Published | |
Family of ex-RAF serviceman who was shot dead outside gym 'don't understand why'The family of a former RAF serviceman who was shot dead outside a gym have said they "don't understand why" it happened.Sky News - Published | |
RAF jets flying 3,000 miles for Houthi strikes as aircraft carriers stay in UK - here's why | Sean BellJust before midnight on 21 January, four RAF Typhoons attacked a series of Houthi targets in a coordinated wave of UK-US strikes.Sky News - Published | |
Navy game 'biggest event of season' for RAF in cupInter-forces rivalry comes to the Challenge Cup on Saturday, when the Royal Air Force take on the Royal Navy for a place in round two.BBC Sport - Published | |
Watch: Challenge Cup first round - Royal Air Force v Royal NavyWatch live coverage from the Challenge Cup first round as the Royal Air Force face the Royal Navy.BBC Sport - Published | |
All challenges against govt plans to use RAF bases to house asylum seekers thrown outAll challenges against government plans to use former RAF bases to house asylum seekers have been dismissed at the High Court.Sky News - Published | Man accused of hospital terror attack plot admits possessing pressure cooker bombA clinical support worker accused of planning terrorist attacks on a hospital in Leeds and an RAF base has admitted possessing a pressure cooker bomb.Sky News - Published |
CRPF meet discusses modernising RAF to deal with Manipur-like situationsIndiaTimes - Published | Man pleads guilty to terror offences before trial for allegedly planning hospital attackA clinical support worker has pleaded guilty to terrorism offences ahead of his trial for allegedly planning an attack on a maternity hospital in Leeds and an RAF station in North Yorkshire.Sky News - Published |
UK sending navy ships and spy planes to support IsraelThe UK will send RAF aircraft and Royal Navy ships to carry out surveillance over Israel in a show of support following the Hamas incursion over the weekend.Sky News - Published | RAF jets intercept Kenya Airways flight diverted to Stansted AirportRAF jets have intercepted a Kenya Airways flight that was diverted it to Stansted Airport.Sky News - Published |
RAF jets appear to have a near miss - but all is not what it seemsAn amazing photograph has captured the moment two RAF Typhoons appear to narrowly miss each other during a practice dogfight.Sky News - Published | Manipur: Mobs attempt to storm police stations over arrest of 5 youths, curfew reimposedManipur news: Police and RAF personnel deployed at strategic positions fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.DNA - Published |
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Fury at lack of sanction for RAF over botched diversity drive - as drunk soldiers face £10k fineWhite men - derided as "useless white male pilots" - who failed in a bid to join the Royal Air Force are furious no one has been sanctioned over a botched diversity drive that broke equality..Sky News - Published | King pays tribute to RAF veterans at Dambusters anniversary eventThe King has paid tribute to Second World War veterans as he commemorated the 80th anniversary of the famous Dambusters raid.Sky News - Published |
Asylum seekers to be housed at Essex RAF base from tomorrowAsylum seekers will begin to be housed at a former RAF base in Essex from Wednesday morning, Sky News understands.Sky News - Published | Royal Air Force unlawfully discriminated against white male recruits in bid to boost diversityThe Royal Air Force unlawfully discriminated against white men in a recruitment drive aimed at boosting diversity, an official inquiry has found.Sky News - Published |
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Caught on cam: Vandals in RAF attire in Imphal WestIndiaTimes - Published | Confidence in RAF chief and leadership team hits all time low![]() Sky News - Published |
RAF recruiters were advised against picking 'useless white male pilots'![]() Sky News - Published | Funeral of black RAF pilot who fought in Second World War attracts hundreds![]() Sky News - Published |
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Manipur: CRPF officers tasked to oversee security forces, RAF deploymentThe Centre has rushed in about 20 fresh companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including the CRPF and the BSF, in the wake of the spiralling violence between tribals and the majority..DNA - Published | 'A feast for the eyes': On board Hercules plane as it rehearses coronation flypast![]() Sky News - Published |
Council loses High Court bid to prevent asylum seekers being housed at former RAF baseBraintree District Council has lost a High Court bid to prevent asylum seekers being housed at a former RAF airbase.Sky News - Published | Home Office plan to move asylum seekers to RAF base puts £300m regeneration at risk - Tory council![]() Sky News - Published |
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