RAF Air Support Command

{{Short description|Former command of the Royal Air Force}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2015}}

{{Infobox Military Unit

|unit_name = Royal Air Force Air Support Command

|image = Airsupportcommand.png

|caption = Command badge

|start_date = 1 August 1967- 1 September 1972

|country = {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom

|branch = 23px Royal Air Force

|type = Command

|role = support aircraft

|size =

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|garrison = RAF Upavon

|garrison_label = Headquarters

|equipment =

|equipment_label =

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|motto = Ferio Ferendo
Latin: "I Strike by Carrying"{{cite book|last1=Pine|first1=L.G.|title=A dictionary of mottoes|date=1983|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|location=London|isbn=0-7100-9339-X|page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmott00tion/page/74 74]|edition=1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmott00tion/page/74}}

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|colonel_of_the_regiment =

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|identification_symbol =A golden griffon in front of a globe

|identification_symbol_label =crest heraldry

|identification_symbol_2 =

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|aircraft_attack =

|aircraft_bomber =

|aircraft_electronic =

|aircraft_fighter =

|aircraft_interceptor =

|aircraft_recon =

|aircraft_patrol =

|aircraft_trainer =

|aircraft_transport =

}}

File:Bristol 171 Syc HC.14 XG504 RAFASC ABIN 15.06.68 edited-3.jpg communications helicopter in 1968]]

Air Support Command of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 August 1967 by the redesignation of Transport Command.[http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1967.cfm British Military Aviation in 1967] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010182126/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1967.cfm |date=10 October 2008 }} RAF Museum 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.[http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Burton_H.htm Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - Air Marshal Sir Harry Burton] 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[http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1972.cfm British Military Aviation in 1972] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105103651/http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1972.cfm |date=5 January 2011 }} RAF Museum 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.{{cite book|last1=Darling|first1=Kev|title=RAF Strike Command, 1968-2007|date=2012|publisher=Pen & Sword Aviation|location=Barnsley|isbn=978-1-84884-898-6|page=85}}

Order of Battle: April 1972 - HQ at Upavon{{sfn|Delve|1994|p=90}}

• 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