Reserve Strategic Plans
Reserve Support Wings
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force Inspectorate
ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
Reserve Strategic Plans
The Reserves Strategic Plans team was established in September 2021 under CG RAuxAF and COS Reserves to deliver his future vision for the RAF Reserves . This vision is of a modern , more capable reserve which is numerically larger and able to deliver outputs that it currently does not , including in sunrise capabilities such as cyber , space and digital so that it remains a credible fighting force as part of a next generation air force . The team ’ s role is to lead on the planning , management , and delivery of reserves transformation activity both at the single and tri-Service level . It engages with the wide variety of Air Command stakeholders to advocate for and support increased utilisation and integration of the reserves as part of the RAF Whole Force . Early deliverables in the Astra Reserves Optimisation activity have included : centralisation of common RAuxAF squadron support functions such as recruitment and phase 1 training under Reserve Support Wings , production of shared RAuxAF squadron Mission Statements to increase understanding and therefore utilisation of the various unique squadrons and adoption of a Lateral Entry recruitment process to benefit from the skills and experience available in the civilian workforce .
Reserve Support Wings
In 2022 , under Project ASTRA Reserves Optimisation , ‘ Reserve Support Wings ’ began to be created . The objective being to move selected common support functions from sqns to the command of regional RAuxAF support units , with the aim of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these functions , whilst freeing up full-time workforce posts for expansion of the force . The functions initially in scope are recruiting , delivery of module 1 of phase 1 training and selected logistics tasks . The project team handed over the first wing , the Northern Reserve Support Wing based at RAF Leeming , to its new OC in Summer 2023 .
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force Inspectorate
The post of Inspector RAuxAF was established in 1950 to provide a single senior point of contact in the RAuxAF with whom the RAF and in particular the Controller Reserve Forces could communicate with on matters relating to the recruitment and employment of part-time volunteers .
The first Inspector was Finlay Crerar a former Regular RAF Air Commodore who had commanded the Royal Observer Corps during World War Two . Crerar having been an auxiliary pilot prior to the outbreak of war , serving on 612 County of Aberdeen Squadron , and was later an HAC of 3 RAuxAF Squadrons .
In 1995 , the Inspector ’ s responsibilities were expanded and an Inspectorate was formed . Up until 2016 , when the 2 Star Honorary Inspector General ( HIG ) post evolved into the current Commandant General post , the Inspector was the senior serving RAF volunteer reservist who advised senior leadership on volunteer reservist issues and was normally appointed as an Aide de Camp to the Sovereign . For many years RAF Regulations for the Reserves have summed up the Inspectorate ’ s role as to ‘ Promote and Protect the RAuxAF for the mutual benefit of Regulars and Reserves ’.
Today , the Inspectorate is one of three Group Captain led teams within the Reserves Directorate supporting the Commandant General / COS ( Reserves ). It comprises two
Deputy Inspectors , the RAuxAF Command Warrant Officer , and two support staff , normally with extensive reserve experience . The Inspector and Deputy Inspector posts are volunteer reservist posts . The role of the modern Inspectorate is wide ranging , but its major responsibilities are :
a . Supporting and advising the Commandant General in his role representing the Volunteer Reservist Force at Senior Leadership level .
b . Engaging with RAuxAF personnel in order to provide assurance to the Commandant General that Defence , the RAF and the RAuxAF are delivering what is required to ensure a successful and sustainable force .
c . Co-ordinating RAuxAF Ceremonial activities .
d . Participating in Command Appointment Boards to ensure that applicants have a suitable level of volunteer reserve knowledge .
e . Administering the selection and briefing of RAuxAF Honorary Air Commodores .
The Inspectorate has played a leading role in devising and organising ‘ RAuxAF 100 ’ events . A number of former Inspectors and Deputy Inspectors have gone on to play leading roles in the RAuxAF Foundation , which also have been closely involved in RAuxAF 100 events .
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