RAF Air Support Command

Air Support Command of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 August 1967 by the redesignation of Transport Command. Its change of name reflected the change of emphasis of the Command from solely transporting materials and manpower around the world to providing general support to RAF operations around the world.

The result of this broader role meant that Air Support Command, unlike its predecessor Transport Command, possessed strike aircraft such as Hawker Hunters. With the contraction of the RAF, it only lasted a short time as a command, and it was absorbed into Strike Command on 1 September 1972 forming No. 38 Group and No. 46 Group within Strike Command. The former was designated as a tactical support and the latter as a strategic support group.

Order of Battle: April 1972 - HQ at Upavon

• RAF Andover No. 21 Squadron RAF - Devon, Pembroke
• RAF Benson Queen's Flight - Andover, Chipmunk, Heron & Whirlwind
• RAF Brize Norton No. 10 Squadron RAF - VC10 No. 53 Squadron RAF - Belfast No. 99 Squadron RAF - Britannia No. 511 Squadron RAF - Britannia No. 241 Operational Conversion Unit RAF - Belfast, Britannia & VC10
• RAF Coningsby No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit RAF - Phantom
• RAF Lyneham No. 216 Squadron RAF - Comet
• RAF Northolt No. 32 Squadron RAF - Andover, Dominie, Basset & Whirlwind
• RAF Odiham No. 240 Operational Conversion Unit RAF - Puma & Wessex
• RAF Thorney Island No. 242 Operational Conversion Unit RAF - Andover & Hercules
• RAF Wittering No. 233 Operational Conversion Unit RAF - Harrier

Commanders in Chief

Commanders-in-Chief included:

• 1 August 1967 - Air Marshal Sir Thomas Prickett
• 1 July 1968 - Air Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges
• 1 October 1970 - Air Marshal Sir Harry Burton

See also

• List of Royal Air Force commands

• Delve, K. (1994). The Source Book of the RAF. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-451-5.