Air Support Command of the Royal Air Force was formed on 1 August 1967 by the redesignation of Transport Command. 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. 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 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.
Order of Battle: April 1972 - HQ at Upavon
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
Commanders in Chief
Commanders-in-Chief included: 1 August 1967 - Air Marshal Sir Thomas Prickett 1 July 1968 - Air Marshal Sir Lewis Hodges 1 October 1970 - Air Marshal Sir Harry Burton