EXPEDITIONARY AIR WINGS

Expeditionary Air Wings (EAW) were created in early 2006 to improve the ability of the Royal Air Force to support PJHQ’s (Permanent Joint Headquarters) aim of successful overseas operations. The idea behind the EAW concept is the provision of a balanced aviation linked force package related to a particular operation. This force package might include fighter aircraft, ground attack, in-flight refuelling, RAG Regiment airbase protection plus engineering and logistic support. When required a Joint Force Air Component HQ (JFAC HQ) could be deployed in an overseas theatre to control air operations.

Deployable EAW HQs are maintained at the following Air Stations:

• RAF Coningsby

• RAF Cottesmore

• RAF Kinloss

• RAF Leeming

• RAF Leuchars

• RAF Lossiemouth

• RAF Lyneham

• RAF Marham

• RAF Waddington

904 EAW currently supports ISAF forces in Afghanistan (OP HERRICK)

The RAF hopes to achieve four principle benefits from the EAW concept:

• Delivery of a more focused operational effect from the outset of any deployment

• A more cohesively trained body of manpower

• A broader understanding of air power capability

• A more inclusive formation identity at home and on deployed ops.