Universities Air Squadron

In addition we have the Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron (YUAS) based at RAF Church Fenton.

This is one of 15 Universities Air Squadrons across the country and is established to attract entrants of good calibre and learning into the RAF by providing flying and general service training.

New Members

The RAuxAF exists to provide the Royal Air Force (RAF) with additional trained personnel in times of war and crisis. The 1996 Strategic Defence Review confirmed the importance of the RAuxAF to the UK air forces.

 

Royal Air Force Reserves (RAFR and RAuxAF)

The Reserve Air Forces comprises the RAF Reserve (RAFR) and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF). While RAFR members tend to be recruited for either full or part time service to provide support for the RAF, the members of the RAuxAF are mainly in full time civilian employment.

The RAuxAF was created in 1924 in the form of the Auxiliary Air Force. The Flying Squadrons and Balloon Squadrons played a significant part in the Second World War. In the Battle of Britain, the Flying Squadrons were responsible for around 30% of the accredited enemy kills and the Balloon Squadrons were accredited with the destruction of 279 VI flying bombs. These achievements earned the prefix Royal that was conferred by King George VI in 1947.

While the RAuxAF has been active according to the nation’s requirements on many occasions since the Second World War, their contribution has increased dramatically in the last two decades. The Aeromedical and Movements Squadrons were involved in action in the 1991 Gulf War and in other locations in the UK and overseas. In the 2003 invasion of Iraq more than 900 members of the RAuxAF were called into full time service to support RAF operations in Cyprus, Kuwait, Iraq, the Falkland Islands and the UK.