Training Command was the Royal Air Force's command responsible for flying and ground training from 1936 to 1940 and again from 1968 to 1977. Training Command was formed from RAF Inland Area on 1 May 1936 and absorbed into RAF Support Command on 13 June 1977. From 27 May 1940 to 1 June 1968, Training Command did not exist as its functions were split into Flying Training Command and Technical Training Command.

On initial formation or from 1936 the Command appears to have directed Nos 20, 21, 23, 24, and No. 26 Group RAF.

No. 23 Group was transferred to Training Command on 1 May 1936. It was then transferred again to Flying Training Command on 27 May 1940. It was reabsorbed into Training Command in 1968. After 1 January 1957, No. 23 Group was responsible for Nos 1 – 5, No. 6 (1957–68), No. 7 (from 1957–60) and No. 8 Flying Training School RAF (from 1957–64); it disbanded at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on 2 May 1975.

Orders of Battle

April 1972

RAF Wyton

• No. 26 Squadron RAF

RAF Little Rissington

• Central Flying School

RAF Cranwell

• Royal Air Force College Cranwell

RAF Abbotsinch

• Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron

RAF Bicester

• Oxford University Air Squadron

Cambridge Airport

• Cambridge University Air Squadron

RAF Church Fenton

• Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron

RAF Dyce

• Aberdeen University Air Squadron

RAF Filton

• Bristol University Air Squadron

RAF Hamble

• Southampton University Air Squadron

RAF Newton

• East Midlands Universities Air Squadron

RAF Ouston

• Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron

RAF St Athan

• Universities of Wales Air Squadron

RAF Shawbury

• University of Birmingham Air Squadron

RAF Sydenham

• Queens University Air Squadron

RAF Turnhouse

• East Lowlands University Air Squadron

RAF White Waltham

• University of London Air Squadron

RAF Woodvale

• Liverpool University Air Squadron

• Manchester University Air Squadron

RAF Manby

• RAF College of Air Warfare

No. 38 (Special Tactical Transport) Group – April 1972

1. HQ at Benson

RAF Coningsby

• No. 6 Squadron RAF – Phantom

• No. 54 Squadron RAF – Phantom

RAF Lyneham

• No. 24 Squadron RAF – Hercules

• No. 30 Squadron RAF – Hercules

• No. 36 Squadron RAF – Hercules

• No. 47 Squadron RAF – Hercules

• No. 48 Squadron RAF – Hercules

RAF Odiham

• No. 33 Squadron RAF – Puma

• No. 230 Squadron RAF – Puma

• No. 72 Squadron RAF – Wessex

RAF Thorney Island

• No. 46 Squadron RAF – Andover

RAF Wittering

• No. 1 Squadron RAF – Harrier

Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief

Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief included:

1936 to 1940

• 1 May 1936 Air Marshal Sir Charles Burnett

• 1 July 1939 Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore

1968 to 1977

• 1 June 1968 Air Marshal Sir John Davis

• 1 April 1969 Air Marshal Sir Leslie Mavor

• 21 December 1972 Air Marshal Sir Neville Stack

• 31 January 1976 Air Marshal Sir Rex Roe

See also

• List of Royal Air Force commands

References

Further reading

• 96 pages. https://www.bookdepository.com/RAF-Training-Command-Keith-Wilson/9781445666006

• il Flight Magazine 63: 688-689 My 29 '53