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"The sea shall not have them"
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> Units and Formations
Flying Squadrons
5 Sqn
6 Sqn
8 Sqn
9 Sqn
10 Sqn
11 Sqn
12 Sqn
15 Sqn
18 Sqn
21 Sqn
22 Sqn
23 Sqn
25 Sqn
27 Sqn
29 Sqn
33 Sqn
35 Sqn
39 Sqn
41 Sqn
43 Sqn
44 Sqn
46 Sqn
49 Sqn
50 Sqn
51 Sqn
54 Sqn
56 Sqn
57 Sqn
61 Sqn
64 Sqn
65 Sqn
68 Sqn
69 Sqn
70 Sqn
71 Sqn
73 Sqn
75 Sqn
81 Sqn
83 Sqn
85 Sqn
88 Sqn
90 Sqn
92 Sqn
97 Sqn
100 Sqn
101 Sqn
103 Sqn
104 Sqn
106 Sqn
109 Sqn
110 Sqn
111 Sqn
112 Sqn
113 Sqn
116 Sqn
121 Sqn
133 Sqn
136 Sqn
139 Sqn
141 Sqn
142 Sqn
143 Sqn
144 Sqn
148 Sqn
149 Sqn
150 Sqn
151 Sqn
153 Sqn
154 Sqn
166 Sqn
170 Sqn
189 Sqn
198 Sqn
199 Sqn
203 Sqn
206 Sqn
207 Sqn
209 Sqn
210 Sqn
211 Sqn
214 Sqn
222 Sqn
227 Sqn
228 Sqn
229 Sqn
235 Sqn
236 Sqn
248 Sqn
249 Sqn
251 Sqn
253 Sqn
254 Sqn
255 Sqn
256 Sqn
264 Sqn
266 Sqn
280 Sqn
288 Sqn
300 Sqn
301 Sqn
302 Sqn
303 Sqn
305 Sqn
307 Sqn
309 Sqn
310 Sqn
349 Sqn
350 Sqn
401 Sqn
402 Sqn
404 Sqn
407 Sqn
409 Sqn
410 Sqn
411 Sqn
412 Sqn
415 Sqn
416 Sqn
420 Sqn
421 Sqn
430 Sqn
438 Sqn
439 Sqn
441 Sqn
442 Sqn
443 Sqn
452 Sqn
455 Sqn
460 Sqn
463 Sqn
467 Sqn
486 Sqn
503 Sqn
504 Sqn
527 Sqn
528 Sqn
532 Sqn
538 Sqn
542 Sqn
550 Sqn
576 Sqn
601 Sqn
609 Sqn
613 Sqn
616 Sqn
617 Sqn
619 Sqn
625 Sqn
626 Sqn
627 Sqn
630 Sqn
Heavy
Conversion Units
1654
HCU
1656 HCU
1660 HCU
1661 HCU
1662 HCU
1665 HCU
1667 HCU
1668 HCU
21 HGCU
Advanced
Flying Schools
201
AFS
Advanced
Flying Units
12
AFU
15 AFU
Flying
Training Schools
1 FTS
2 FTS
3 FTS
6 FTS
7
FTS
12 FTS
1 Lancaster Finishing School
Central Flying School
Operational
Training/
Conversion Units (Fighter)
6
OTU
53 OTU
56 OTU
Air
Armament Schools
1
AAS
2 AAS
Empire Central AS
Other
schools
1 Gp Aircrew School
1 Ground Defence School
1 Air Observers School
Central
Gunnery School
5 Gp Anti Air School
Other units
Bomber Command
Coastal Command
Fighter Command
HQ No 5 Group
HQ No 23 Group
1485
Gunnery Flight
2782
Defence Sqn
178 Support Unit
399 Signals Unit
Nationality
based Sqns
Updated: 7 Aug 04
The maritime dimension to the RAF began with the 238 motor boats it inherited from the RNAS and RFC on 1 Apr 1918. They were used for general duties in support of floatplanes, including refuelling and crew ferrying. Acting as rescue boats was merely an additional duty into which they had been pressed ad-hoc.
Air Sea Rescue services were organised in May 1940 when the modern motor craft were based around flying boat bases in the UK and abroad. T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) was involved in planning the 200 Class Seaplane Tender (37½ ft and capable of 27 kts) which was delivered from 1932. It developed into the standard RAF ASR Service vessel, the 100 Class High-Speed Launch (HSL)
The ASR Service proved its value to doubters during the Battle of Britain when over 200 airmen were killed or went missing in the seas around England. OC 11 Group initiated the co-ordination of aircrew rescues with the ASR HSL launches. The Air/Sea Rescue service was then officially constituted in Feb 1941. Its first official action was at Dieppe in Aug 1942 when ASR launches saved many aircrew but lost 3 launches and 20 men to German attack.
As the RAF's priority switched from the air defence of Great Britain to strategic heavy bombing of Germany, so the ASR priorities switched from single fighter pilots downed in the English Channel to larger bomber crews in the North Sea. Fighter Command maintained responsibility for offshore resuce while Coastal Command took over the 'deep search' with its long-range aircraft. This led to the development of items such as airborne lifeboats which could be dropped to crews. These 27-ft craft were a step change over the single-seat dinghies and came equipped with petrol engines, radio, homing beacons and water distilling equipment. The arrival of USAAF bomber crews, which were larger, meant that larger lifeboats were designed to be dropped from Flying Fortresses.
After hostilities ended ASR services were rapidly downsized. HSL were redesignated as Rescue/Target-Towing Launches (RTTL). Then in 1948 all RAF vessels over 68 ft were redesignated HMAFV (His Majesty's Air Force Vessel), an honour the preserve of the Royal Navy, permitting them to fly the Union Flag.
At around the same time, the RAF element of the combined Air Sea Rescue Service was formed into a separate arm of the RAF known as the RAF Marine Branch. The Marine Branch survived until well after the introduction of the helicopter, which begain in 1953 with 275 Sqn equipped with the Bristol Sycamore. The last unit was not disbanded until April 1986. The Branch was then privatised with its few maritime activities contracted out to civilian organisations.
Sycamore helicopter of the RAF Marine Branch
ASR lives on in the RAF in the expanded role of Search and Rescue (SAR), now catering to rescue on the mountains as well. SAR cover is provided by 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn Sea King, 771 Naval Air Sqn Sea King and HM Coastguard chartered Bristow.
For some key dates in the development of aerial rescue and air sea rescue, consult the key dates page.
RAF Marine Branch
22 ASRU Grimsby
Grimsby Tidal Basin
1109 MCU Boston
1110 MCU Immingham
Air
Sea Rescue
ASR craft photos
Air Sea Rescue museum, Flixton
RAF Air Sea Rescue history on RAF website
Key dates in ASR
Aviation
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