Royal Air Force - RAF
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The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force of the United Kingdom and the oldest independent air force in the world. Formed on 1 April 1918, the RAF has taken a significant role in British military history ever since, playing a large part in World War II and in more recent conflicts.
The RAF operates 981 aircraft (2011) and, as of early 2011, had a total manpower strength of 42,750 Regulars and 2,500 RAF Volunteers. This makes the RAF the second largest airforce in NATO, the largest in Europe and the 5th largest in the world. The majority of the RAF's aircraft and personnel are based in the UK with many others serving on operations (principally Afghanistan and the Middle East) or at long-established overseas bases (Ascension Island, Canada, Cyprus, Diego Garcia, Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands and Germany).
| Royal Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1 April 1918 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Size | 981 Aircraft Available manpower;
Reserve manpower;
|
| Part of | British Armed Forces |
| Air Staff Offices | MOD Main Building, Whitehall |
| Motto | Latin: Per Ardua ad Astra "Through Adversity to the Stars" |
| March | Royal Air Force March Past |
| Commanders | |
| Chief of the Air Staff | Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton |
| Notable commanders | Lord Trenchard Lord Portal |
| Insignia | |
| RAF Badge |  |
| RAF roundels |   |
| Fin flash |  |
| RAF TRF |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | Tornado GR4 Typhoon FGR4 Reaper |
| Electronic warfare | Sentry |
| Fighter | Typhoon F2 |
| Helicopter | Chinook Merlin Puma Sea King Griffin HAR2 |
| Interceptor | Tornado F3 Typhoon |
| Reconnaissance | Islander Shadow R1 Nimrod R1 Sentinel R1 Reaper Tornado GR4A |
| Trainer | Hawk King Air Squirrel Tucano Tutor Vigilant Viking |
| Transport | C-17 Hercules C3 Hercules C4 & C5 Tristar VC10 |
