About this Group
Royal Air Force Number 22 Group provides the qualified and skilled personnel that the RAF and the other two Services need to carry out operations world-wide. 22 Group has a wide area of interest with responsibilities for many aspects of training.
Primary functions
- Provide the Initial Training to RAF Officers at the Royal Air Force College at RAF Cranwell and Basic Training for airmen and airwomen at RAF Halton
- Run the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC)
- Provide specialist joint training to personnel from all three services, mainly in the following areas:
- Aeronautical Engineering training
- Communications and Information Systems training
- Electro & Mechanical Engineering training
- Flying training for all types of aircraft (rotary wing, fast jet, multi-engine aircraft)
Personnel
22 Group directly employs 3,800 military and 1,900 civilian personnel. The Air Cadet Organisation has approximately 41,000 cadets and 12,000 adult volunteers. Each year, the Group trains around 61,000 individuals at varying levels of training across its 53 sites. A selection of these sites house some of the 420 or so training aircraft owned by the Group.
The Group's Six Pillars
Air Officer Commanding 22 Group sits at the head of the organisation as well as occupying the role of Chief of Staff Training for the RAF. The Group is divided into 6 ‘pillars’, each headed by its own 1 Star commander.
These pillars each have their own responsibilities in fulfilling the Group’s mission:
Directorate of Ground Training (DGT)
The Directorate of Ground Training delivers RAF individual training and education policy, governance, assurance and support. Composed of Training Policy and Plans, Adventure Training, Force Development and Air Power Education.
Directorate of Flying Training (DFT)
This provides a wide range of courses that train officers and Non-Commissioned Aircrew (NCA) to the high standards needed when flying on modern operations.
The Directorate of Flying Training delivers competent and highly trained military aircrew, Air Traffic Controllers and Flight Operations personnel to meet front line requirements. Comprising Elementary Flying Training and Advanced Flying Training (Multi-Engine, Fast Jet, Rotary Wing).
Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT)
Royal Navy, Army and RAF technical training and education is delivered by the Defence College of Technical Training to around 20,000 trainees per annum through four Defence schools focussed upon specialisations of aeronautical engineering, electronic and mechanical engineering, marine engineering, and communications and information systems engineering. The Schools are located across six sites with Royal Navy training being delivered at HMS SULTAN in Gosport, Army and Royal Marine training at MOD Lyneham and Blandford Garrison, and RAF training at RAF Cosford, MOD St Athan and RAF Digby. DCTT provides initial training to Service personnel entering the Armed Forces in the engineering trades, and delivers development training to qualified engineers throughout their careers.
Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC)
The RAF's Air Cadets is one of the country's premier youth organisations and the world's largest youth air training organisation, supported by thousands of dedicated volunteer staff. Composed of the Air Training Corps (ATC), Combined Cadet Force (CCF) RAF sections, Gliding and Air Experience Flying.
Royal Air Force College (RAFC)
Delivers Recruit and Officer Training, and administers the University Air Squadrons, from RAF Cranwell.
Directorate of RAF Sport (DRS)
RAF sport at individual, unit, Service and inter-service levels and is responsible for providing guidance to volunteer sporting committees throughout the RAF.
Through these pillars, 22 Group works with local communities, recruits and selects individuals to join the Service, provides comprehensive training, looks after individuals’ professional development and helps them resettle into civilian life after leaving the Service.
Mission Statement
"Efficiently deliver world-class trained and educated personnel, RAF sport and the premier cadet force experience in order to support RAF strategy to meet Defence commitments."
