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Royal Air Force: Quick Facts

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News •

Reform’s defence spokesman: We must not criminalise special forces • Nov. 5, 2026, 10:00 AM ET (The Telegraph)
UK’s Royal Navy, Royal Air Force designated as ‘terrorist organisations’ • Nov. 2, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (The Gleaner)
Barnham villagers vote for referendum over migrant housing plan • Oct. 25, 2026, 7:42 AM ET (BBC)
UK expands military support for Saudi Arabia against Houthis with ‘defensive’ air patrols • Oct. 20, 2026, 11:56 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As RAF
Date 1918 - present
Areas Of Involvement air warfare
Related People Keith Park • Arthur William Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder • Florence Green • Sir Quintin Brand

Photos and Videos

Royal Air Force
A Sopwith Camel biplane with a roundel on its wing is parked on flat ground, with a pilot visible in the open cockpit.
British Vickers F.B.5 pusher biplane on grass with three uniformed men; one sits at the machine gun, another on the fuselage, and a third poses by the landing gear.
Supermarine Spitfire
A formation of Vickers Wellington bombers in flight, with the lead aircraft showing the code B KA on its fuselage and a skull insignia below the cockpit.
Royal Canadian Air Force pilot in World War II flight gear, including goggles, helmet, and life vest, stands outdoors with blurred trees and aircraft in the background.
Two Royal Air Force commandos in helmets aim twin Lewis guns skyward during World War II training to defend an airfield, with netting overhead.
Halifax heavy bomber
Royal Air Force pilot wearing goggles sits in the cockpit of a fighter plane. The plane's side displays a cartoon of Hitler's face with a pipe, World War II era.
Seven Red Arrows jets from the British Royal Air Force fly in a tight formation, viewed from below against a light sky.
What Was the Battle of Britain?
Watch President Roosevelt outline his Four Freedoms and learn how Britain defeated Germany's Luftwaffe
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