Editing Royal Air Force (section)

==History==
{{Further|List of Royal Air Force operations}}
{{Main|History of the Royal Air Force}}
{{anchor|Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to make provision for the establishment, administration, and discipline of an Air Force, the establishment of an Air Council, and for purposes connected therewith.
| year                  = 1917
| citation              = [[7 & 8 Geo. 5]]. c. 51
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 29 November 1917
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            =  {{ubli|[[Statute Law Revision Act 1927]]|[[Auxiliary Forces Act 1953]]|[[Revision of the Army and Air Force Acts (Transitional Provisions) Act 1955]]|[[Naval Discipline Act 1957]]|[[Defence (Transfer of Functions) Act 1964]]|[[Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1976]]|[[Armed Forces Act 1981]]|[[Armed Forces Act 2006]]}}
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = current
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/7-8/51/contents/enacted
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = Air Force (Constitution) Act 1917
| collapsed             = yes
}}

===Origins===
The Royal Air Force was formed towards the end of the [[World War I|First World War]] on 1 April 1918, becoming the third independent air force in the world after the [[Mexican Air Force]] (established 5 February 1915)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id_art=337 |title=Los Orígenes |publisher=Sedena.gob.mx |access-date=2012-10-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426210925/http://www.sedena.gob.mx/index.php?id_art=337 |archive-date=April 26, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the [[Finnish Air Force]] (established 6 March 1918),<ref>Keskinen, Kalevi, Partonen, Kyösti & Stenman, Kari: Suomen ilmavoimat I 1918–1927. Tietoteos, 2005. ISBN 952-99432-2-9.</ref> by merging the [[Royal Flying Corps]] (RFC) and the [[Royal Naval Air Service]] (RNAS).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/raftimeline19181929.cfm |title=RAF Timeline 1918–1929 |year=2011 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812113116/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/raftimeline19181929.cfm |archive-date=12 August 2012 }}</ref> This was done as recommended in a report prepared by the South African statesman and general [[Jan Smuts]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Dickens |first=Peter |date=April 2018 |title=The Royal Air Force's 100th Birthday and its founder – Jan Smuts |url=https://samilhistory.com/2018/04/01/the-royal-air-forces-100th-birthday-and-its-founder-jan-smuts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707230451/https://samilhistory.com/2018/04/01/the-royal-air-forces-100th-birthday-and-its-founder-jan-smuts/ |archive-date=7 July 2018 |access-date=2018-07-13 |website=The Observation Post }}</ref> At that time it was the largest air force in the world.<ref name=":1"/> Its headquarters was located in the former [[Hotel Cecil (London)|Hotel Cecil]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/raf-memorial|title=Plaque: RAF Memorial|publisher=London Remembers|access-date=1 September 2021|archive-date=1 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901004721/https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/raf-memorial|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the war, the RAF was drastically cut and its inter-war years were relatively quiet. The RAF was put in charge of [[RAF Iraq Command|British military activity in Iraq]], and carried out minor activities in other parts of the [[British Empire]], including establishing bases to protect [[Singapore Naval Base|Singapore]] and Malaya.{{sfn|Spencer|2020|pp=62, 63}} The RAF's naval aviation branch, the [[Fleet Air Arm]], was founded in 1924 but handed over to [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] control on 24 May 1939.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/pages/fleet_air_arm_history/history.shtml|title=History of Fleet Air Arm Officers Association, FAAOA|access-date=22 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418115613/http://www.fleetairarmoa.org/pages/fleet_air_arm_history/history.shtml|archive-date=18 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

The RAF adopted the doctrine of [[strategic bombing]], which led to the construction of long-range bombers and became its main bombing strategy in the [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref>Tami Davis Biddle, "British and American Approaches to Strategic Bombing: Their Origins and Implementation in the World War II Combined Bomber Offensive." ''Journal of Strategic Studies,'' March 1995, Vol. 18 Issue 1, pp 91–144; Tami Davis Biddle, ''Rhetoric and Reality in Air Warfare: The Evolution of British and American Ideas about Strategic Bombing, 1914–1945'' (2002)</ref>

===Second World War===
{{Further|Air warfare of World War II}}[[File:Spitfire P7350 (front) flies alongside Hurricane LF363 (back).jpg|thumb|right|A [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]] and [[Hawker Hurricane|Hurricane]], which both played major roles in the [[Battle of Britain]].]]

The Royal Air Force underwent rapid expansion prior to and during the Second World War. Under the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]] of December 1939, the air forces of [[Commonwealth of Nations|British Commonwealth]] countries trained and formed "[[Article XV squadrons]]" for service with RAF formations. Many individual personnel from these countries, and exiles from [[occupied Europe]], also served with RAF squadrons. By the end of the war the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] had contributed more than 30 squadrons to serve in RAF formations, similarly, approximately a quarter of [[RAF Bomber Command|Bomber Command's]] personnel were Canadian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rcaf.com/archives/archives_features/history/waryears.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911234607/http://www.rcaf.com/archives/archives_features/history/waryears.php|url-status=dead|title=RCAF.com : Archives : RCAF History : The War Years|date=21 May 2006|archive-date=11 September 2012|access-date=22 July 2017}}</ref> Additionally, the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] represented around nine per cent of all RAF personnel who served in the European and Mediterranean theatres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2australia.gov.au/raaf/explore.html|title=Explore: 'The Angry Sky'|work=ww2australia.gov.au|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711010358/http://ww2australia.gov.au/raaf/explore.html|archive-date=11 July 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of Britain]] in 1940, the RAF defended the skies over Britain against the numerically superior German {{Lang|de|[[Luftwaffe]]}}. In what is perhaps the most prolonged and complicated air campaign in history, the Battle of Britain contributed significantly to the delay and subsequent indefinite postponement of [[Operation Sea Lion]], [[Hitler]]'s plans for an invasion of the UK. In the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] on 20 August, prompted by the ongoing efforts of the RAF, Prime Minister [[Winston Churchill]] made a speech to the nation, where he said "[[Never was so much owed by so many to so few|Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/quotations/famous-quotations-and-stories |title=The Few |date=March 2009 |publisher=The Churchill Centre |access-date=29 April 2011 |quote="The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304083839/http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/quotations/famous-quotations-and-stories |archive-date=4 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:100 years of the RAF MOD 45163640.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Avro Lancaster]] heavy bomber was extensively used during the strategic bombing of Germany.]]
The largest RAF effort during the war was the [[strategic bombing]] campaign against Germany by Bomber Command. While RAF bombing of Germany began almost immediately upon the outbreak of war at first it was ineffectual; it was only later, particularly under the leadership of [[Air chief marshal|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Arthur Travers Harris|Harris]], that these attacks became increasingly devastating, from early 1943 onward, as new technology and greater numbers of superior aircraft became available.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Overy |first1=Richard |title=The Bombing War |date=2013 |publisher=Penguin |page=322}}</ref> The RAF adopted night-time [[area bombing]] on German cities such as [[Bombing of Hamburg in World War II|Hamburg]] and [[Bombing of Dresden|Dresden]]. Night time area bombing constituted the great bulk of the RAF's bombing campaign, mainly due to Harris, but it also developed precision bombing techniques for specific operations, such as the infamous [[Operation Chastise|"Dambusters" raid]] by [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|No. 617 Squadron]],<ref>[[Paul Brickhill]], ''The Dambusters''</ref> or the Amiens prison raid known as [[Operation Jericho]].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=RAF |title=Attack on Amiens Prison, 18th February 1944 |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/amiens.html |year=2004 |access-date=1 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101145837/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/amiens.html |archive-date=1 January 2007}}</ref>

===Cold War era===
{{Further|Cold War}} {{Main|Structure of the Royal Air Force in 1989}}
Following victory in the Second World War, the RAF underwent significant re-organisation, as technological advances in air warfare saw the arrival of jet fighters and bombers. During the early stages of the Cold War, one of the first major operations undertaken by the RAF was the [[Berlin Airlift]], codenamed Operation Plainfire. Between 26 June 1948 and the lifting of the Soviet blockade of the city on 12 May 1949, the RAF provided 17% of the total supplies delivered, using [[Avro York]]s, [[Douglas Dakota]]s flying to [[Gatow Airport]] and [[Short Sunderland]]s flying to Lake Havel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline194549.cfm |title=RAF Timeline 1945–1949 |year=2011 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812131151/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline194549.cfm |archive-date=12 August 2012 }}</ref> The RAF saw its first post-war engagements in the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]]: during the withdrawal of the former [[Mandatory Palestine]] in May 1948 where British [[Supermarine Spitfire|Supermarine Spitfire FR.18]]s shot down four [[Egyptian Air Force|Royal Egyptian Air Force]] Spitfire LF.9s after the REAF mistakenly attacked [[Ramat David Airbase|RAF Ramat David]] airbase;<ref>Aloni 2001, p. 10.</ref> and during encounters with the [[Israeli Air Force]] which saw the loss of a single [[de Havilland Mosquito|de Havilland Mosquito PR.34]] in November 1948 and four Spitfire FR.18s and a single [[Hawker Tempest|Hawker Tempest F.6]] in January 1949.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spyflight.co.uk/operations/#IsraelvRAF |title=Israel v the RAF |website=Spy Flight |access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref><ref>Aloni 2001, pp. 18, 22.</ref>

Before Britain developed its own [[nuclear weapon]]s, the RAF was provided with American nuclear weapons under [[Project E]]. However, following the development of its own arsenal, the British Government elected on 16 February 1960 to share the country's [[Nuclear weapons and the United Kingdom|nuclear deterrent]] between the RAF and submarines of the Royal Navy, first deciding to concentrate solely on the air force's [[V bomber]] fleet. These were initially armed with nuclear [[gravity bomb]]s, later being equipped with the [[Blue Steel missile]]. Following the development of the Royal Navy's [[Polaris (UK nuclear programme)|Polaris submarines]], the strategic nuclear deterrent passed to the navy's submarines on 30 June 1969.<ref name="RAF 1960-69">{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline196069.cfm |title=RAF Timeline 1960–1969 |year=2011 |publisher=Royal Air Force |access-date=15 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812132827/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline196069.cfm |archive-date=12 August 2012 }}</ref> With the introduction of Polaris, the RAF's strategic nuclear role was reduced to a tactical one, using [[WE.177]] gravity bombs. This tactical role was continued by the V bombers into the 1980s and until 1998 by the [[RAF Tornado GR1|Panavia Tornado GR1]].<ref>Burnell, Brian. [http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1984.PNG "Weapon detail and No. 15 Squadron data for 1984."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010045955/http://nuclear-weapons.info/images/1984.PNG |date=10 October 2017 }} ''nuclear-weapons.info''. Retrieved 19 January 2011.</ref><ref name="strategicdefencereview">[http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/65F3D7AC-4340-4119-93A2-20825848E50E/0/sdr1998_complete.pdf "Strategic Defence Review 1998: Full Report."] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/65F3D7AC-4340-4119-93A2-20825848E50E/0/sdr1998_complete.pdf |date=26 October 2012 }} ''Ministry of Defence,'' 1998, p. 24.</ref>

[[File:100 years of the RAF MOD 45163618.jpg|thumb|left|The RAF [[V bomber|V bomber force]] was used to carry both conventional and [[nuclear bombs]].]]
For much of the Cold War the primary role of the RAF was the defence of [[Western Europe]] against potential attack by the [[Soviet Union]], with many [[RAF Germany|squadrons based in West Germany]]. The main RAF bases in RAF(G) were [[RAF Brüggen]], [[RAF Gütersloh|RAF Gutersloh]], [[RAF Laarbruch]] and [[RAF Wildenrath]] – the only air defence base in RAF(G). With the decline of the British Empire, global operations were scaled back, and [[RAF Far East Air Force]] was disbanded on 31 October 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Cmd_O3.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080806113118/http://www.rafweb.org/Cmd_O3.htm|url-status=dead|title=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation – Overseas Commands – Iraq, India and the Far East|archive-date=6 August 2008}}</ref> Despite this, the RAF fought in many battles in the Cold War period. In June 1948, the RAF commenced [[Operation Firedog]] against Malayan pro-independence fighters during the [[Malayan Emergency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1500005266|title=Operation Firedog : air support in the Malayan Emergency, 1948–1960|publisher=Imperial war Museum|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231213455/http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1500005266|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Operations continued for the next 12 years until 1960 with aircraft flying out of [[RAF Tengah]] and [[RAF Butterworth]]. The RAF played a minor role in the [[Korean War]], with [[flying boat]]s taking part.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafseletar.co.uk/flying-squadrons/seletars-sunderlands/|title=Seletar's Sunderlands|publisher=RAF Seletar|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614203049/http://www.rafseletar.co.uk/flying-squadrons/seletars-sunderlands/|archive-date=14 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1953 to 1956 the RAF Avro Lincoln squadrons carried out anti-[[Mau Mau rebellion|Mau Mau]] operations in [[Kenya]] using its base at [[RAF Eastleigh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/flying-officer-jack-sherburn-pilot-awarded-a-dfc-for-his-gallantry-against-the-mau-mau-who-went-on-9681933.html|title=Flight Lieutenant Jack Sherburn: Pilot awarded a DFC for his gallantry against the Mau Mau who went on to serve in Suez and fly with Yuri Gagarin|date=20 August 2014|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101030003/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/flying-officer-jack-sherburn-pilot-awarded-a-dfc-for-his-gallantry-against-the-mau-mau-who-went-on-9681933.html|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Suez Crisis]] in 1956 saw a large RAF role, with aircraft operating from [[RAF Akrotiri]] and [[RAF Nicosia]] on [[Cyprus]] and [[RAF Luqa]] and [[RAF Hal Far]] on [[Malta]] as part of [[Operation Musketeer (1956)|Operation Musketeer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://britains-smallwars.com/suez/untis.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205130842/http://britains-smallwars.com/suez/untis.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2009|title=Suez Crisis|publisher=Britain's small wars|access-date=31 December 2017}}</ref> The RAF suffered its most recent loss to an enemy aircraft during the Suez Crisis, when an [[English Electric Canberra|English Electric Canberra PR7]] was shot down over [[Syria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/21034 |title=Accident English Electric Canberra PR.7 WH799, 06 Nov 1956 |website=Aviation Safety Network |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=25 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525091907/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/21034 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1957, the RAF participated heavily during the [[Jebel Akhdar War]] in Oman, operating both [[de Havilland Venom]] and [[Avro Shackleton]] aircraft. The RAF made 1,635 raids, dropping 1,094 tons and firing 900 rockets at the interior of Oman between July and December 1958, targeting insurgents, mountain top villages and water channels in a war that remained under low profile.<ref name=GR>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/08/britains-secret-wars-oman|title=Britain's secret wars &#124; Ian Cobain|date=8 September 2016|website=The Guardian|access-date=4 November 2021|archive-date=6 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106172444/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/08/britains-secret-wars-oman|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=OmansInsurgencies>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wkUhBQAAQBAJ&q=moff%20oman&pg=PT43|title=Oman's Insurgencies: The Sultanate's Struggle for Supremacy|first=J. E.|last=Peterson|date=2013|publisher=Saqi|isbn=9780863567025|access-date=29 April 2018|via=Google Books|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123033723/https://books.google.com/books?id=wkUhBQAAQBAJ&q=moff+oman&pg=PT43|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Konfrontasi]] against Indonesia in the early 1960s did see use of RAF aircraft, but due to a combination of deft diplomacy and selective ignoring of certain events by both sides, it never developed into a full-scale war.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19660812-1.2.2|title=Confrontation Ends|newspaper=Straits Times|date=12 August 1966|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231214636/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19660812-1.2.2|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The RAF played a large role in the [[Aden Emergency]] between 1963 and 1967. [[Hawker Hunter|Hawker Hunter FGA.9]]s based at [[RAF Khormaksar]], Aden, were regularly called in by the [[British Army]] as [[close air support]] to carry out strikes on rebel positions.<ref>Ritchie 2011, p. 87.</ref> The [[Radfan Campaign]] (Operation Nutcracker) in early 1964 was successful in suppressing the revolt in Radfa, however it did nothing to end the insurgency with the British withdrawing from Aden in November 1967.<ref>Ritchie 2011, pp. 86–87, 89, 92.</ref>

One of the largest actions undertaken by the RAF during the Cold War was the air campaign during the 1982 [[Falklands War]], in which the RAF operated alongside the [[Fleet Air Arm]]. During the war, RAF aircraft were deployed in the mid-Atlantic at [[RAF Ascension Island]] and a detachment from [[No. 1 Squadron RAF|No. 1 Squadron]] was deployed with the Royal Navy, operating from the aircraft carrier [[HMS Hermes (R12)|HMS ''Hermes'']].<ref name="Ashworth p26">Ashworth 1989, p. 26.</ref><ref name="Evans p74-5">Evans 1998, pp.&nbsp;74–75.</ref> RAF pilots also flew missions using the Royal Navy's [[Sea Harrier]]s in the air-to-air combat role, in particular [[Flight lieutenant|Flight Lieutenant]] Dave Morgan the highest scoring pilot of the war.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naval-history.net/F64argaircraftlost.htm |title=Argentine Aircraft Lost – Falklands War 1982 |publisher=Naval-history.net |date=15 June 1982 |access-date=23 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529052308/http://www.naval-history.net/F64argaircraftlost.htm |archive-date=29 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following a British victory, the RAF remained in the [[South Atlantic]] to provide air defence to the Falkland Islands, with the [[McDonnell Douglas Phantom in UK service|McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2]] based at [[RAF Mount Pleasant]] which was built in 1984.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/22/332609/raf-typhoons-arrive-for-falkland-islands-mission.html |title=RAF Typhoons arrive for Falkland Islands mission – 9/22/2009 |publisher=Flight Global |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=19 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226141143/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/22/332609/raf-typhoons-arrive-for-falkland-islands-mission.html |archive-date=26 December 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Post-Cold War===
[[File:Panavia Tornado GR4 3 (5969081340).jpg|thumb|right|The [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado]] played an integral part in RAF operations from 1991 until its retirement in 2019]]
With the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the RAF's focus returned to [[Expeditionary warfare|expeditionary air power]].<ref>[http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/ExpeditionaryAirForce.cfm Royal Air Force: Expeditionary Air Force] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214013653/http://www.raf.mod.uk/organisation/ExpeditionaryAirForce.cfm |date=14 February 2014 }}, raf.mod.uk</ref> Since 1990, the RAF has been involved in several large-scale operations, including the 1991 [[Gulf War]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2016/01/17/desert-storm-25th-anniversary-tornado-recce-first-gulf-war/|title=Gulf War 25th anniversary special: a quick look at the RAF Tornado's reconnaissance missions over Iraq|publisher=Aviationist|date=17 January 2016|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231212804/https://theaviationist.com/2016/01/17/desert-storm-25th-anniversary-tornado-recce-first-gulf-war/|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the 1999 [[Kosovo War]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/apr/25/balkans|title=RAF 'nearly ran out of bombs' in Kosovo|date=25 April 2000|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231212150/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/apr/25/balkans|archive-date=31 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> the 2001 [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]],<ref>''Tornados Bound for Kandahar'', [[Air Forces Monthly]], August 2008 issue, p. 8.</ref> the [[2003 invasion of Iraq|2003 invasion]] and [[Iraq War|war in Iraq]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/|title=903 Expeditionary Air Wing|publisher=Royal Air Force (RAF)|access-date=21 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318060757/http://www.raf.mod.uk/83eag/903eaw/|archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> the 2011 [[2011 military intervention in Libya|intervention in Libya]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8468456/MOD-rushes-new-transport-plane-into-service-for-operations.html|title=MOD rushes new transport plane into service for operations|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=22 April 2011|access-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101025912/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8468456/MOD-rushes-new-transport-plane-into-service-for-operations.html|archive-date=1 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and from 2014 onwards has been involved in the [[war against the Islamic State]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Sian |last=Grzeszczyk |url=https://www.forces.net/operations/eight-years-operation-shader |title=Eight years of Operation Shader: The UK's mission against IS |website=forces.net |date=26 September 2022 |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref>

The RAF began conducting [[unmanned aerial vehicle|Remotely-piloted Air System (RPAS)]] operations in 2004, with No. 1115 Flight carrying out missions in Afghanistan and Iraq with the [[General Atomics MQ-1 Predator]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ga.com/reaper-takes-to-the-air |title=Reaper Takes to the Air |website=General Atomics |date=8 November 2007 |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> Initially embedded with the [[United States Air Force]], the RAF formed its own RPAS squadron in 2007 when [[No. 39 Squadron RAF|No. 39 Squadron]] was stood up as a [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper]] unit at [[Creech Air Force Base|Creech AFB]], Nevada.<ref>{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Hoyle |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/uk-cheers-the-reaper-uav/80945.article |title=UK cheers the Reaper UAV |website=Flight Global |date=16 June 2008 |access-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202122523/https://www.flightglobal.com/uk-cheers-the-reaper-uav/80945.article |archive-date=2 February 2023}}</ref>

The RAF's 90th anniversary was commemorated on 1 April 2008 by a flypast of the RAF's Aerobatic Display Team the [[Red Arrows]] and four [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]s along the [[Thames|River Thames]], in a straight line from just south of [[London City Airport]] Tower Bridge, the [[London Eye]], the [[RAF Memorial]] and (at 13.00) the [[Ministry of Defence Main Building|Ministry of Defence building]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=CCA67B98-1143-EC82-2E89A277AD340ED3|title=90th Anniversary Flypast in London|date=1 April 2008|work=RAF News Archives|access-date=30 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016205154/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=CCA67B98-1143-EC82-2E89A277AD340ED3|archive-date=16 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7320000/newsid_7324500?redirect=7324577.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&asb=1|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080402163904/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_7320000/newsid_7324500?redirect=7324577.stm&news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&nbwm=1&asb=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 April 2008|title=BBC Media Player|access-date=22 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7323865.stm|title=Flypast marks RAF's anniversary|work=BBC News|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406072618/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7323865.stm|archive-date=6 April 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>

Four major defence reviews have been conducted since the end of the Cold War: the 1990 [[Options for Change]], the 1998 [[Strategic Defence Review]], the 2003 [[Delivering Security in a Changing World]] and the 2010 [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010|Strategic Defence and Security Review]] (SDSR). All four defence reviews have resulted in steady reductions in manpower and numbers of aircraft, especially combat aircraft such as fast-jets. As part of the latest 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the [[BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4]] maritime patrol aircraft was cancelled due to over spending and missing deadlines.<ref name="defensenews">{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4934263&c=EUR&s=TOP |title=Lots of Losers in U.K. Defense Review |publisher=DefenseNews |access-date=22 October 2010 }}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Other reductions saw total manpower reduced by 5,000 personnel to a trained strength of 33,000 and the early retirement of the [[Joint Force Harrier]] aircraft, the [[BAE Harrier II|BAE Harrier GR7/GR9]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/last-harrier-jet-leaves-ark-royal-2142482.html |title=Last Harrier jet leaves Ark Royal |work=Independent |location=UK |author=Wilkinson, Tom |date=24 November 2010 |access-date=4 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127135705/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/last-harrier-jet-leaves-ark-royal-2142482.html |archive-date=27 November 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:MOD MOD 45143423.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] was operated by the RAF in the [[Search and rescue|SAR]] role from 1978 until 2015 when [[RAF Search and Rescue]] was disbanded.]]
In recent years, fighter aircraft on [[Quick Reaction Alert]] (QRA) have been increasingly required to [[Scrambling (military)|scramble]] in response to [[Russian Air Force]] aircraft approaching British airspace.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-raf-typhoons-intercept-russian-bombers-363985/ RAF Typhoons intercept Russian bombers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219101727/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-raf-typhoons-intercept-russian-bombers-363985/ |date=19 February 2014 }} (flightglobal.com), 27 October 2011</ref> On 24 January 2014, in the Houses of Parliament, [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] MP and [[Minister of State for the Armed Forces]], [[Andrew Robathan]], announced that the RAF's QRA force had been scrambled almost thirty times in the last three years: eleven times during 2010, ten times during 2011 and eight times during 2012.<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130124/text/130124w0001.htm Hansard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614171409/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmhansrd/cm130124/text/130124w0001.htm |date=14 June 2018 }} (publications.parliament.uk), 24 January 2014</ref> [[RAF Coningsby]] in Lincolnshire and [[RAF Lossiemouth]] in Moray both provide QRA aircraft, and scramble their Typhoons within minutes to meet or intercept aircraft which give cause for concern. Lossiemouth generally covers the northern sector of UK airspace, while Coningsby covers the southern sector. Typhoon pilot Flight Lieutenant Noel Rees describes how QRA duty works. "At the start of the scaled QRA response, civilian air traffic controllers might see on their screens an aircraft behaving erratically, not responding to their radio calls, or note that it's transmitting a distress signal through its transponder. Rather than scramble Typhoons at the first hint of something abnormal, a controller has the option to put them on a higher level of alert, 'a call to cockpit'. In this scenario the pilot races to the hardened aircraft shelter and does everything short of starting his engines".<ref>UK Ministry of Defence press release 20 September 2012</ref>

[[File:Number 47 Squadron Centenary Tail Art (9).jpg|thumb|right|The RAF operated the [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules|Hercules]] since 1967. The C-130J model was in service between 1998 and 2023]]
On 4 October 2015, a final stand-down saw the end of more than 70 years of [[RAF Search and Rescue]] provision in the UK. The RAF and Royal Navy's [[Westland Sea King]] fleets, after over 30 years of service, were retired. A civilian contractor, [[Bristow Helicopters]], took over responsibility for UK Search and Rescue, under a [[Private Finance Initiative]] with newly purchased [[Sikorsky S-92]] and [[AgustaWestland AW189]] aircraft. The new contract means that all UK SAR coverage is now provided by Bristow aircraft.<ref name="Farewell to RAF UK Search & Rescue">{{cite web|title=Farewell to RAF UK Search & Rescue|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/farewell-to-raf-uk-search-and-rescue-15102015|website=raf.mod.uk|access-date=3 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208114209/http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/farewell-to-raf-uk-search-and-rescue-15102015|archive-date=8 December 2015}}</ref>

In 2018, the RAF's vision of a future constellation of imagery satellites was initiated through the launch of the [[Carbonite-2]] technology demonstrator. The 100&nbsp;kg Carbonite-2 uses [[commercial off-the-shelf]] (COTS) components to deliver high-quality imagery and 3D video footage from space.<ref name=ukdefencejournal-20180301>{{cite news |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-air-force-satellite-launched-space/ |title=Royal Air Force surveillance satellite launched into space |last=Allison |first=George |newspaper=UK Defence Journal |date=1 March 2018 |access-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050314/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-air-force-satellite-launched-space/ |archive-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=thereg-20180301>{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/01/carbonite_2_raf_satellite_mission/ |title=Brit military boffins buy airtime on HD eye-in-the-sky video satellite |last=Corfield |first=Gareth |newspaper=The Register |date=1 March 2018 |access-date=2 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301170834/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/03/01/carbonite_2_raf_satellite_mission/ |archive-date=1 March 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Royal Air Force celebrated its 100th anniversary on 1 April 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/our-history/anniversaries/raf100/ |title=RAF100 |website=Royal Air Force |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref> It marked the occasion on 10 July 2018 with a flypast over London consisting of 103 aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/raf-marks-100-years-with-day-of-centrepiece-celebrations/ |title=RAF marks 100 years with day of centrepiece celebrations |website=Royal Air Force |date=10 July 2018 |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.military-airshows.co.uk/press18/raf100flypast2018.htm |title=RAF100 Parade & Flypast 2018 |website=military-airshows.co.uk |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref>

Between March 2020 and 2022, the RAF assisted with the response efforts to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]] as part of [[Operation Rescript]]. This saw the service provide repatriation flights and aeromedical evacuations of COVID-19 patients, drivers and call-handlers to support ambulance services and medics to assist with the staffing of hospitals, testing units and vaccination centres.<ref>{{cite web |title=COVID Support Force: the MOD's contribution to the coronavirus response |url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-support-force-the-mods-contribution-to-the-coronavirus-response |website=GOV.UK |date=12 June 2020 |access-date=12 August 2021 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322042815/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-support-force-the-mods-contribution-to-the-coronavirus-response |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tactical Medical Wing Personnel Support NHS During Coronavirus Pandemic |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/coronavirus/tactical-medical-wing-personnel-support-nhs-during-coronavirus-pandemic/ |access-date=12 August 2021 |agency=Royal Air Force |date=8 March 2021 |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812155923/https://www.raf.mod.uk/coronavirus/tactical-medical-wing-personnel-support-nhs-during-coronavirus-pandemic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Under [[Operation Broadshare]], the RAF has also been involved with COVID-19 relief operations overseas, repatriating stranded nationals and delivering medical supplies and vaccines to British Overseas Territories and military installations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fighting an invisible enemy at home and overseas |url=https://medium.com/voices-of-the-armed-forces/fighting-an-invisible-enemy-at-home-and-overseas-873dbdc19d3f |access-date=12 August 2021 |agency=Ministry of Defence |date=16 July 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812155918/https://medium.com/voices-of-the-armed-forces/fighting-an-invisible-enemy-at-home-and-overseas-873dbdc19d3f |url-status=live }}</ref>

The UK's 20-year long operations in Afghanistan came to an end in August 2021, seeing the largest airlift since the Berlin Blockade take place. As part of [[Operation Pitting]], the RAF helped evacuate over 15,000 people in two weeks.<ref>{{cite web |first1=George |last1=Bowden |first2=Katie |last2=Wright |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58372437 |title=Afghanistan: British ambassador home as last UK troops leave |website=BBC News |date=29 August 2021 |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/afghanistan-operation-pitting |title=Afghanistan: Operation Pitting |website=Imperial War Museum |access-date=24 April 2023}}</ref> Between April and May 2023, the RAF helped evacuate over 2,300 people from Sudan due to the [[2023 Sudan conflict]] as part of [[Evacuation of foreign nationals during the 2023 Sudan conflict|Operation Polarbear]].<ref>{{cite web |first1=Sean |last1=Seddon |first2=Christy |last2=Cooney |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65476769 |title=Sudan: Final UK evacuation flight leaves the country |website=BBC News |date=4 May 2023 |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Deborah |last=Haynes |url=https://news.sky.com/story/uk-will-be-left-dangerously-exposed-when-it-cuts-fleet-of-special-forces-aircraft-sources-say-12881389 |title=UK will be left 'dangerously exposed' when it cuts fleet of special forces aircraft, sources say |website=Sky News |date=15 May 2023 |access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

In April 2024, Typhoon FGR4s operating from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, engaged and destroyed Iranian drones over Iraqi and Syrian airspace during [[April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|Iran's strikes against Israel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68810774 |title=RAF fighter jets shot down Iran drones, Rishi Sunak says |website=BBC News |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=15 August 2024}}</ref>

On 26 and 27 March 2025, RAF Puma helicopters marked their retirement from service with a flypast of locations with a historical link to Puma including [[RAF Odiham]], [[Marlborough Lines|Andover]], [[Middle Wallop Flying Station]], [[MOD Boscombe Down]], [[Thiepval Barracks]], [[Permanent Joint Headquarters|PJHQ]], [[RAF Halton]], [[RAF High Wycombe]], [[RAF Benson]], [[RAF Cosford]], [[RAF Shawbury]] as well as other places across the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-26 |title=Three RAF helicopters to perform farewell flypast over Northern Ireland |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/three-raf-helicopters-to-perform-farewell-flypast-over-northern-ireland/a1994785580.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |work=BelfastTelegraph.co.uk |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Simon |date=2025-03-26 |title=RAF bids a fond farewell to its Pumas as they take part in goodbye flypast |url=https://www.forcesnews.com/technology/aircraft/fond-farewell-raf-super-pumas-they-take-part-goodbye-flypast |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=www.forcesnews.com |language=en}}</ref>