RAF Signals Command

Royal Air Force Signals Command
RAF Signals Command badge
Active	3 November 1958–1 January 1969
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Command
Role	controlling Signals activity
Motto(s)	Aetherem Vincere Latin: To conquer the upper air[1]

Signals Command was the British Royal Air Force's command responsible for control of signals units from 1958 to 1969. It was based at RAF Medmenham near Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

History

Originally, on 24 April 1946, No. 90 (Signals) Group RAF was formed at Danesfield Court, Medmenham, Marlow, taking over the functions of No 26, 60 (the home air defence radar stations, originally Chain Home and Chain Home Low) and 100 Groups (airborne electronic warfare) and No. 80 Wing RAF (electronic warfare).^[2]

Signals Command was formed on 3 November 1958 by raising 90 Group to Command status.^[3]

Three De Havilland Comet 2s were modified for RAF use in radar and electronic systems development, initially assigned to No. 90 Group (later Signals Command).^[4] In service with No. 192 and No. 51 Squadrons, the 2R series was equipped to monitor Warsaw Pact signal traffic and operated in this role from 1958.^[5] The 2R ELINT series was operational until 1974, when replaced by the Nimrod R1, the last Comet derivative in RAF service.^[5]

Signals Command was relatively short-lived, lasting only until 1 January 1969, when it was absorbed by Strike Command by being reduced to group status.^[3] It had five Air Officers Commanding during its existence.

In 2006, various elements of the RAF Signals trades and sections were combined at RAF Leeming to form No. 90 Signals Unit with the same badge and motto as No. 90 (Signals) Group and Signals Command.^[6]

Aircraft

• Avro Lincoln Mk.4^[7]
  • No. 116 Squadron RAF^[7]
  • No. 151 Squadron RAF^[7]
  • No. 192 Squadron RAF^[7]
  • No. 199 Squadron RAF^[7]
  • No. 527 Squadron RAF^[7]

Commanders in Chief

• 3 November 1958 - Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leslie Dalton-Morris
• 1 March 1961 - Air Vice-Marshal A Foord-Kelcey (temporary appointment)
• 9 June 1961 - Air Vice-Marshal Sir Walter Pretty
• 1 February 1964 - Air Vice-Marshal Sir Thomas Shirley
• 7 May 1966 - Air Vice-Marshal Sir Benjamin Ball

See also

• List of communications units and formations of the Royal Air Force
• List of Royal Air Force commands

References

Citations

1. Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 5. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
2. "Groups 70-106, "Air of Authority"". Retrieved 22 February 2022.
3. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - RAF Home Commands formed between 1958 - 2002 Archived 5 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
4. Swanborough 1962, p. 48.
5. Walker 2000, p. 159.
6. "RAF - Homepage". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
7. Thetford 1995, p. 46.

Bibliography

• Thetford, O (1995). Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918. London, UK: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-865-8.

External links

• History of the RAF Signals Service, 1945 - 1975 Purported book in preparation.

Preceded by No. 90 (Signals) Group RAF Group raised to command status

Signals Command 1958–1969

Succeeded by Strike Command