11 Group to Reform

[Archimedes]

Done a search and can't see anything, but CAS has announced the following:

11 Group is to reform as 'multi-domain operations group' (i.e. space and cyber)

31 Squadron will re-equip with Protector when it retires its GR4s

IX(B) will re-equip with Typhoon.

[All from the Air Power Conference today]

[ORAC]

11 Group is to reform as 'multi-domain operations group' (i.e. space and cyber)

I presume that means a small corridor at HW will acquire a 11Gp plaque rather than buy back BP - and have no historical connection with either air defence or fighter aircraft?

[just another jocky]

Just what we need, another command.

[Ken Scott]

Clearly there must be some Air ranks without a job, so problem solved.

[Lima Juliet]

Originally Posted by Ken Scott

Clearly there must be some Air ranks without a job, so problem solved.

The Chief says that no new posts will be formed and that it will be taken from within. So I suspect that will mean that AVM Steve Shell, as COS Ops, is about to become AOC 11Gp? What is not clear is whether that will be within Air Cmd where it currently sits or a completely new Group.

Reunion in the Crypt Bar anyone???

[Pontius Navigator]

Star Wars?

Air Commodore I F Vallely OBE to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Commander Cyber & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance in Joint Forces Command in February 2018 in succession to Major General J R Hockenhull OBE.

Got to keep up with the Army

[1.3VStall]

How nice to see that the RAF's finest bomber squadron is to continue flying after it relinquishes its Tornados next year. Anyone any idea where IX(B) Sqn will be based with its Typhoons?

[Timelord]

I think it has already been announced that 12 (Typhoon) Sqn will form at Conningsby so I guess IX will be at Lossie.

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by 1.3VStall

How nice to see that the RAF's finest bomber squadron is to continue flying after it relinquishes its Tornados next year.

Aye, at Coningsby.

Anyone any idea where IX(B) Sqn will be based with its Typhoons?

[melmothtw]

9 Sqn will be based at Lossiemouth, to be stood up later this year (which means 31 Sqn will take the Tornado out to its retirement in 2019).

As for 11 Group, here are the CAS' comments verbatim:

"The new Group itself will be Number 11 Group - of Battle of Britain fame – a battle which in so many ways was an early demonstration of the power of multi-domain capability and command and control. And to keep a proper eye on efficiency and leanness in our command chain, there will be no increase in star count or overall headquarters staff as a result of forming Number 11 Group."

[OldnDaft]

31 being reformed as first Protector Sqn I believe.

[57mm]

IX(B) with Typhoons? They'll get some serious banter from their fighter squadron counterparts. All those fighter squadron plates that could have been used: 43, 56, 74, to name but a few.

[PPRuNeUser0211]

56 is still in use (ISTAR OEU iirc)

[fantom]

31 good. I was there (don't ask) but we need 208 more.

[Easy Street]

9 Sqn will be based at Lossiemouth, to be stood up later this year (which means 31 Sqn will take the Tornado out to its retirement in 2019).

Both IX and 31 are seeing Tornado out, appropriately as IX was the first front line Tornado unit. The Lossie outfit will presumably grow in number under a (Des) banner until taking the mantle officially on Tornado’s retirement.

IX(B) with Typhoons? They'll get some serious banter from their fighter squadron counterparts. All those fighter squadron plates that could have been used: 43, 56, 74, to name but a few.

IX (briefly) counted Hugh Dowding among its early commanders and was equipped with Bristol Fighters at the end of WW1, so is not all that far behind II(AC) or 6 in terms of air defence heritage - and I don’t hear of them getting any stick for their principally air-to-ground histories. Lists of battle honours don’t come much longer or distinguished than IX’s. Notwithstanding any of that, the idea that a single-digit squadron with an ex-boss on his fourth active 4-star appointment (now the senior military man in NATO) was ever going to be laid up is simply a non-starter!

[Lima Juliet]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

Air Commodore I F Vallely OBE to be promoted Air Vice-Marshal and to be Commander Cyber & Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance in Joint Forces Command in February 2018 in succession to Major General J R Hockenhull OBE.

Got to keep up with the Army

PN - that is an extant 2-star JFC post. The 2-star AOC 11Gp will be what was COS Ops in Air Cmd. Also, for those RAF Aircrew on here, he is also Head of the Flying Branch and Non-Commissioned Aircrew.

[melmothtw]

Both IX and 31 are seeing Tornado out

As 9 Sqn is due to disband as a Tornado unit before the end of this year, it suggests that 31 Sqn will be the final unit to take the type out to its retirement next year. No?

Also, does anyone know when 31 Sqn is to reform given that the Protector is not now due to enter service until the mid-2020s?

[POBJOY]

11 Group

Excellent news with Biggin, Kenley, and Croydon just waiting to reactivate.(we don't need big wings or small wings, just more pilots) nothing changes.

[Melchett01]

Originally Posted by POBJOY

Excellent news with Biggin, Kenley, and Croydon just waiting to reactivate.(we don't need big wings or small wings, just more pilots) nothing changes.

And Susannah York as MA/AOC 11!

[Lima Juliet]

Uh oh, now you’ve done it Melchey. Cue BEagle and more Section Officer Harvey banter....