No. 22 Group RAF

No. 22 Group is one of four groups currently active in the Royal Air Force, falling under the responsibility of Deputy Commander-in-Chief (Personnel) in Air Command. Its current full title is No. 22 (Training) Group and it is responsible for RAF training policy and controlling the Royal Air Force College and the RAF's training stations. As such, it is the direct successor to Training Group.

History

Although No. 22 Group was due to be formed on 1 April 1918, the same day as the RAF was established, it was not activated until 1 July 1918 in the RAF's North-Western Area. It was activated at East Fortune but moved its headquarters to the Station Hotel, Stirling.^[1] The next month, on 8 August 1918, it received the designation 'Operations', or possibly 'Marine Operational', making its full title No. 22 (Operations) Group or possibly No. 22 (Marine Operational) Group. It controlled No. 78 Wing RAF, and stations at Auldbar, Chathill (airship station), Dundee, East Fortune, Kirkwall/Orkney, Longside (airship station), Luce Bay, RAF Machrihanish, Peterhead & Strathberg. With the post First World War RAF force reductions, No. 22 Group was disbanded on 30 May 1919.

The next creation of No 22 Group came on 12 April 1926 when the Group was re-formed from No 7 Group within Inland Area. The Group's designation was No. 22 (Army Co-operation) Group and its headquarters was at South Farnborough. On 17 February 1936, No 22 Group was transferred from the control of Inland Area to that of the Air Defence of Great Britain. Later that same year, on 1 May, the group was raised to command status. However, only just over two months later, on 14 July, the newly created command was reduced back to group status,^[1] becoming part of Fighter Command on the day of Fighter Command's creation. On 24 June 1940 No 22 Group was once again raised to command status and later that year, on 1 December, the new command was expanded to become Army Co-operation Command.

On 1 August 1943 the Group was re-established as No. 22 (Training) Group in Technical Training Command, responsible for all training in ground trades, from electronics to cooking. The Group continued in its training function for nearly 30 years until it was disbanded 31 January 1972.

The current creation of No. 22 Group was established on 30 October 2006, once again as No. 22 (Training) Group.^[1] This creation was a renaming of Training Group which ceased to exist as No 22 Group was re-established.

Current Organisation & Responsibilities

The Group delivers:

• Youth engagement across the UK;
• Recruiting, selection and basic training;
• Defence technical training – communications & engineering;
• UK Military Flying Training System;
• RAF Force Development, Adventurous Training, survival and specialist training;
• RAF-wide training assurance;
• Accreditation and resettlement: &
• All RAF sport.

The six areas of responsibility:

• Air Cadet Organisation;
• RAF College Cranwell and Directorate of Recruiting & Individual Training;
• The Directorate of Flying Training (DFT);
• The Directorate of Ground Training (DGT);
• The Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT) consisting of:
  • The Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE)
  • The Defence School of Communications and Information Systems (DSCIS)
  • The Defence School of Electro-Mechanical Engineering (DSEME)
  • The Defence School of Marine Engineering (DSMarE)
• The Directorate of RAF Sport (DRS).

The Group works on the following command approach:

• Philosophy and principles, not prescription;
• Aggressive use of information, intelligence, intuition and initiative;
• Dynamic, innovative and empowered command at all levels;
• Excellence in delivery;
• Strong single Service ethos, from which enduring joint capability is built;
• Active management of what we must do and not do; and
• A psychology of intelligent continuous improvement.

The command responsibilities are:

Director Ground Training is also the Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) and deputises for the Air Officer Commanding in all functions. In addition, DGT/SASO:

Commands RAF St Mawgan, RAF Weston-on-the-Green, the Defence SERE Training Organisation, the FD/AT Ctrs, the RAF School of Physical Training, Ground Standards and Evaluation and the Air Media Ctr. Delivers:

• Trg Delivery Authority (TDA) for all courses within the Group;
• Trg Requirements Authority (TRA) for Phase 1 Trg and PMD(A);
• Pipeline Management for Gnd Trg of RAF officers and airmen;
• RAF individual trg and education policy, governance and support;
• Generic education, trg, FD and Jt Servs AT;
• IDT co-ordination across all roles and functions;
• Survive Evade Resist Extract (SERE) trg for Defence;
• Higher education, accreditation and apprenticeships policy, governance and support;
• Resettlement for all RAF officers and airmen;
• Advice and support to PEd and Trg SP Branch and TG10;
• Administration and management of relevant CEBs;
• The highest standards of care and welfare for trainees and staff.

Supports training owners authorities with analysis, advice and support.

Commandant ACO commands the ACO (RAF ATC and CCF(RAF) in order that it remains a modern, dynamic, sustainable and air-minded youth organisation that offers fun and challenging opportunities to young people and adult volunteers and develops citizens with valuable skills for the future. Specifically, Comdt ACO:

Commands the ACO, RAF Kenley, RAF Kirknewton, RAF Little Rissington, No 2 FTS and the gliding schools. Delivers

• TDA for all courses within the span of command;
• Safe and efficient ACO activity;
• Gliding training to air cadets;
• Highest standards of care and welfare for: cadets and staff;
• Current or greater cadet and volunteer numbers;
• Legislative compliance with civil, Defence and RAF policy and practice;
• Provide SME advice on Tri-Service Policy.

Commandant RAF College attracts, selects and recruits the Air Force of tomorrow whilst training and developing the Air Force of today. Comdt RAFC:

Commands the RAFC Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath, RAF Halton, RAF Syerston, RAF Woodvale, R&S, OACTU, ACS, RTS, STS, the UASs and AEFs. Delivers:

• TDA for all courses within the span of command;
• ITT for RAF Regular and Reserves with emphasis on inclusivity and diversity initiatives;
• Ground and flying training in support of UASs and AEFs;
• Mentoring to Stn Cdr RAF Halton’s flying operations;
• IDT within irreducible spare capacity when directed;
• Highest standards of care and welfare for: applicants, cadets, recruits and staff:
• Administration and Management of all Phase 1 CEB’s;
• The highest standards of care and welfare for trainees and staff.

Supports:

• Stn Cdr RAF Halton in his DH-facing airfield manager role;
• All COs and OCs of units parented by the RAF College.
• Senior Regional RAF Representative.

Develops:

• The pipeline and Phase 1 training to meet new capability requirements; and
• Options to harness the latest technology and strategies for current and future roles.

Maintains:

• RAF College Cranwell as the ‘spiritual home’ of the RAF.
• RAF Halton and RAF Cranwell as Homes of RAF Sport.

Commandant DCTT trains and educates aeronautical engineering (AE), electronic & mechanical engineering (EM), marine engineering (MarE) and communications and information systems (CIS) personnel in order to meet the Defence requirement. Comdt DCTT:

Commands DCTT, HMS SULTAN, Arborfield, Bordon and Blandford Garrisons, RAF Cosford, MOD Lyneham, MOD St Athan, DSAE, DSCIS, DSEME and DSMarE. Delivers:

• Chairmanship of the DCTT CEB;
• HQ DCTT by re-brigading resource previously vested in HQ DCTT and DTTCP;
• DTTCP Tranche 1 and the associated benefits as articulated in the Tranche 1 MGBC;
• Transformation of technical training;
• Estate rationalisation through DTTCP Tranches 1+ and 2;
• TDA for all courses within the span of command;
• AE, EM, MarE and CIS training requirement to meet the front line requirement;
• IDT within irreducible spare capacity when directed;
• The highest standards of care and welfare for trainees and staff.

Supports:

• AOC 22 (Trg) Gp in the delivery of DTTCP Tranche 2 as the ‘Lead User’; and
• All COs and OCs of units parented by DCTT.

Develops:

• Training and courses to meet new capability requirements; and
• Options to harness the latest technology and strategies for current and future roles.

Maintains RAF Cosford as a Home of RAF Sport.

Director Flying Training delivers trained military aircrew, Air Traffic Controllers and Flt Ops personnel safely and efficiently in order to meet the front line requirement. DFT:

Commands RAF Linton-on-Ouse, RAF Shawbury, RAF Valley, HQ CFS, Nos 1, 3 & 4 FTS, DHFS and RAFAT. Delivers:

• Chairmanship of the DFT CEB;
• UAS and AEF flying;
• TDA for all courses within the span of command;
• Aircrew, ATC and flt ops training requirement to meet the front line requirement;
• Public engagement via display flying;
• Mentoring to Stn Cdrs RAF Cosford, RAF St Athan and RAF Wittering’s flying ops;
• IDT within irreducible spare capacity when directed;
• The highest standards of care and welfare for trainees and staff.

Supports:

• AOC 22 (Trg) Gp in the delivery of the ODH responsibility; and
• AOC 22 (Trg) Gp in the delivery of MFTS FW and RW as the ‘Lead User’;
• Stn Cdr MOD St Athan in his DH-facing airfield manager role.

Develops:

• Training and courses to meet new capability requirements; and
• Options to harness the latest technology and strategies for current and future roles.

The Director RAF Sport delivers safe and competitive RAF Sport that challenges our people and provides critical development opportunities for the RAF. DRS:

Delivers:

• A separated Sport Directorate from the RAF Sports Charity;
• RAF Sport policy;
• RAF Sport governance;
• RAF Sport safety;
• Directorship of the RAF Sports Board;
• An annual Sports Conference;
• An Annual Sports Awards ceremony;
• The highest standards of care and welfare for personnel engaged in sport; and
• As a one star budget holder, outputs within Resource Control Totals.

Supports:

• RAF Sports Charity in achieving separation from the Sports Directorate;
• RAF Homes for Sport concept;
• Armed Forces Sport policy development; and
• Human Performance ensuring Sport Policy is understood by all.

Develops:

• Opportunities to integrate the Whole Force;
• Opportunities for enhanced sponsorship of the Sport assns;
• Opportunities for Armed Forces Sport enhancement;
• Opportunities for Improved Sport Communication; and
• Opportunities for closer link with NGBs, UK Sport and Sport England.

Commanders

Currently, No 22 (Training) Group is led by Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Turner CBE who is Chief of Staff Training and Air Officer Commanding No. 22 (Training) Group. AVM Turner is responsible to his superior commander, the Air Member for Personnel, who is also Deputy Commander-in-Chief Personnel in Air Command.

1918 to 1919

• 1 July 1918 Colonel, later Brigadier General, E A D Masterman

1926 to 1940

• 12 April 1926 Air Commodore D le G Pitcher
• 9 April 1929 Air Commodore N D K MacEwen
• 14 September 1931 Air Commodore H LeM Brock
• 30 June 1936 Air Commodore, later Air Vice-Marshal B E Sutton
• 3 July 1939 Air Vice-Marshal C H B Blount
• 15 September 1939 Air Vice-Marshal N D K MacEwen
• 30 May 1940 Air Vice-Marshal C H B Blount
• 23 October 1940 Not Known
• 20 November 1940 Air Marshal Sir Arthur Barratt

1943 to 1972

• 1 August 1943 Air Vice-Marshal C E V Porter
• 1946 to 1948 Air Vice-Marshal A C Stevens
• 19 January 1948 Air Vice-Marshal P E Maitland
• 15 June 1950 Air Vice-Marshal B V Reynolds
• 25 August 1952 Air Vice-Marshal W H Merton
• 1 December 1953 Air Vice-Marshal J L F Fuller-Good
• 15 January 1957 Air Vice-Marshal R Faville
• 12 September 1960 Air Vice-Marshal B A Chacksfield
• 12 November 1962 Air Vice-Marshal A A Case
• 15 January 1966 Air Vice-Marshal W V Crawford-Crompton
• 1 July 1968 Air Vice-Marshal G R Magill
• 1 January 1970 Air Vice-Marshal E Plumtree

2006 onwards

• 30 October 2006 Air Vice-Marshal J M M Ponsonby
• July 2007 Air Vice-Marshal R F Garwood CBE DFC
• 17 April 2009 Air Vice-Marshal B M North OBE
• 23 February 2010 Air Vice-Marshal M C Green CBE
• 2011 Air Vice-Marshal M G Lloyd CB
• 18 July 2014 Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Turner CBE

References

External links

• No. 22 (Training) Group's Web Site