Overview

Structure

ABOUT Combat Readiness Force

The Combat Readiness Force is the ground fighting force of the RAF. It fights to defend the RAF and enable Air and Space Operations wherever required.

The Combat Readiness Force is responsible for Airfield Defence, Air Force Protection Command and Control, Tactical Air Control, Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS), the conceptual and experimental development of Air Force Protection, and high-threat pre-deployment training for all members of the RAF.

Although primarily formed from personnel from the RAF Regiment, crucially the force includes personnel from all professions, which support its operational outputs 365 days a year.

Commander

Group Captain Sam Wiseman MA BEd (Hons) RAF

Group Captain Wiseman grew up in Exeter, Devon and holds a degree in Science and Outdoor Education from Liverpool John Moore’s University graduating as a Royal Air Force Regiment Officer in 1997.

His early service saw him serve in Northern Ireland with 3 Squadron RAF Regiment followed by a tour on II Sqn RAF Regiment as both a Flt Cdr and Sqn Second in command. Attachments include 16 Air Assault Brigade as a qualified JTAC and 3 Commando Brigade as the Bde’s Air Liaison Officer. Command appointments include Officer Commanding 34 Sqn RAF Regiment and more recently No 2 Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) Wing. His operational deployments include; Northern Ireland, 2 tours of Iraq, and 3 tours in Afghanistan.

What we do

Force Protection Wings

The Force Protection Wing Headquarters are highly deployable units held at high readiness and trained to operate across any environment in support of Air and Space Operations. Specialising in Air Force Protection Command and Control, they plan, integrate, coordinate, and synchronise activities across all pillars of Force Protection, namely Active and Passive Defence, Recuperation and Security. Highly agile, they also command large RAF deployments in support of Military Aid to Civil Authorities.

Field Squadrons

Field squadrons are the main fighting elements of the Combat Readiness Force. Modular in design and with organic support elements, the squadrons are held at very high readiness and trained to operate in any environment. Specialising in close combat with the ability to detect, deter and defeat our adversaries, each squadron has an array of capabilities, from organic precision strike and armoured vehicles, to stand-off weapons and surveillance assets, including uncrewed aerial systems to provide a potent combat capability.

Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS)

The Combat Readiness Force provide the only fixed site C-UAS capability for Defence. Permanently committed overseas with the remainder of the Wing held at very high readiness, the C-UAS teams are trained to operate a complex suite of sensors, capable of detecting, tracking, identifying, and defeating a variety of uncrewed aerial systems, including one-way attack drones.

Tactical Air Command and Control

From Tactical Air Control Parties, Air Traffic Control, to Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, the force is able to coordinate, direct and control aircraft in the conduct of tactical air operations, from the execution of Tactical Landing Zones to the integration of Close Air Support missions. Operating in small highly trained teams, they are interoperable with our NATO allies enabling integration and synchronisation of multinational Air and Space power.

Ceremonial

In addition to supplementing the force’s C-UAS capability, the King's Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) is the RAF's dedicated ceremonial unit, responsible for representing the RAF at national and international ceremonial occasions. Routinely committed to guarding Buckingham Palace, St James’ Palace or at events such as the state opening of Parliament, the Squadron is also frequently deployed globally as part of its Defence Engagement role.

FORCE HQ