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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![Russian Su-27 Chases British Spy Plane at Crimean Border in a High-Stake Encounter| Watch Video [Video]](https://video.newsserve.net/300/v/20240727/1383054208-Russian-Su-27-Chases-British-Spy-Plane-at.jpg) Russian Su-27 Chases British Spy Plane at Crimean Border in a High-Stake Encounter| Watch Video Credit: Oneindia Duration: 03:08Published | |
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Ukraine strikes bomber jets in Russia as part of 'sustained campaign' on Putin's RAFUkrainian forces have struck a military airfield in Russia, targeting warplanes and glide-bomb facilities used to launch deadly attacks against Ukraine, a security source has revealed.Sky News - Published | |
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 |
Dozens of Royal Air Force personnel forced to evacuate accommodation after power outage Dozens of Royal Air Force personnel have been forced to evacuate their accommodation on a helicopter base after a power outage left them without hot water and functioning fire alarms.Sky News - Published | Former RAF chiefs blast 'perverse' decision to ditch C-130 special forces aircraft Two former Royal Air Force chiefs and a former Tory defence minister have condemned a cost-cutting decision to ditch a vital special forces aircraft as "perverse" and "extraordinary".Sky News - Published |
Caught on cam: Vandals in RAF attire in Imphal WestIndiaTimes - Published | Confidence in RAF chief and leadership team hits all time low Confidence in the head of the Royal Air Force and his leadership team has halved in the past two years to its lowest-ever level and aviators are at their least happy since records began, a survey has..Sky News - Published |
RAF recruiters were advised against picking 'useless white male pilots' White men seeking to join the Royal Air Force were described as "useless white male pilots" in leaked emails that expose the pressure placed on recruitment officers to improve diversity.Sky News - Published | Funeral of black RAF pilot who fought in Second World War attracts hundreds Hundreds of mourners have gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of one of the longest-surviving black RAF pilots to have fought in the Second World War. Sky News - Published |
Training Ukrainian pilots could impact UK's ability to teach British recruits - incoming RAF chief A plan by the UK to train Ukrainian pilots could impact the Royal Air Force's ability to teach its own recruits, the incoming head of the RAF has indicated.Sky News - Published | Irish ministers under pressure to clarify 'secret deal' for RAF to defend Ireland's airspace in an emergency The Irish government is being pressed to clarify details of a decades-old secret agreement with the United Kingdom for RAF aircraft to help defend Irish airspace in an emergency.Sky News - Published |
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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 A council where the Home Office plans to turn an RAF base into asylum seeker accommodation says the "irrational" move will put at risk a £300m regeneration project for the site.Sky News - Published |
RAF boss ready to test 'the limit of the law' to improve diversity The head of the Royal Air Force signalled he was ready to “bend” his service out of shape and test “the limit of the law” to improve diversity, according to an informed source and the leaked..Sky News - Published | Funeral of black WWII veteran who died alone to be held at historic 600-seat RAF church The funeral of one of the last black RAF veterans of the Second World War will take place in a historic 600-seat church in the centre of London after so many people asked to attend it.Sky News - Published |
'It breaks an important glass ceiling': RAF set to name non-pilot as chief for first time The next head of the Royal Air Force is expected for the first time to be an officer who has never served as a pilot, Sky News understands.Sky News - Published | Conservative-led council preparing legal action to stop asylum seekers being housed in RAF base A council in Essex is preparing to apply to the High Court to block plans to house asylum seekers at a former RAF base.Sky News - Published |
'An act of sacrilege': Anger at government plan to house asylum seekers at historic RAF Scampton A government plan to place asylum seekers in temporary living facilities at a Royal Air Force base in Lincolnshire is facing opposition from locals, politicians and historians.Sky News - Published | Russian aircraft intercepted by RAF and German air force in first of its kind NATO mission A Russian aircraft has been intercepted by British RAF and German fighter jets after it was identified near NATO airspace.Sky News - Published |
RAF to conduct joint NATO air policing missions with German Air Force in Estonia Britain and Germany are set to take part in joint air operations over Estonia for the first time, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has announced.Sky News - Published | RAF chief criticised for 'cringeworthy' response over order to prioritise female and ethnic minority recruits The content of a Royal Air Force order to give priority places on training courses to female and ethnic minority recruits over white men can be revealed.Sky News - Published |
