Training Command was the Royal Air Force's command responsible for flying and ground training from 1936 to 1940 and again from 1968 to 1977. Training Command was formed from RAF Inland Area on 1 May 1936 and absorbed into RAF Support Command on 13 June 1977. From 27 May 1940 to 1 June 1968, Training Command did not exist as its functions were split into Flying Training Command and Technical Training Command.
On initial formation or from 1936 the Command appears to have directed Nos 20, 21, 23, 24, and No. 26 Group RAF.
No. 23 Group was transferred to Training Command on 1 May 1936. It was then transferred again to Flying Training Command on 27 May 1940. It was reabsorbed into Training Command in 1968. After 1 January 1957, No. 23 Group was responsible for Nos 1 - 5, No. 6 (1957-68), No. 7 (from 1957-60) and No. 8 Flying Training School RAF (from 1957-64); it disbanded at RAF Linton-on-Ouse on 2 May 1975.
Orders of Battle
April 1972
RAF Wyton
No. 26 Squadron RAF
RAF Little Rissington
Central Flying School
RAF Cranwell
Royal Air Force College Cranwell
RAF Abbotsinch
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron
RAF Bicester
Oxford University Air Squadron
Cambridge Airport
Cambridge University Air Squadron
RAF Church Fenton
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron
RAF Dyce
Aberdeen University Air Squadron
RAF Filton
Bristol University Air Squadron
RAF Hamble
Southampton University Air Squadron
RAF Newton
East Midlands Universities Air Squadron
RAF Ouston
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron
RAF St Athan
Universities of Wales Air Squadron
RAF Shawbury
University of Birmingham Air Squadron
RAF Sydenham
Queens University Air Squadron
RAF Turnhouse
East Lowlands University Air Squadron
RAF White Waltham
University of London Air Squadron
RAF Woodvale
Liverpool University Air Squadron
Manchester University Air Squadron
RAF Manby
RAF College of Air Warfare
No. 38 (Special Tactical Transport) Group - April 1972
HQ at Benson
RAF Coningsby
No. 6 Squadron RAF - Phantom
No. 54 Squadron RAF - Phantom
RAF Lyneham
No. 24 Squadron RAF - Hercules
No. 30 Squadron RAF - Hercules
No. 36 Squadron RAF - Hercules
No. 47 Squadron RAF - Hercules
No. 48 Squadron RAF - Hercules
RAF Odiham
No. 33 Squadron RAF - Puma
No. 230 Squadron RAF - Puma
No. 72 Squadron RAF - Wessex
RAF Thorney Island
No. 46 Squadron RAF - Andover
RAF Wittering
No. 1 Squadron RAF - Harrier
Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief
Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief included:
1936 to 1940
1 May 1936 Air Marshal Sir Charles Burnett
1 July 1939 Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Longmore
1968 to 1977
1 June 1968 Air Marshal Sir John Davis
1 April 1969 Air Marshal Sir Leslie Mavor
21 December 1972 Air Marshal Sir Neville Stack
31 January 1976 Air Marshal Sir Rex Roe
See also
List of Royal Air Force commands
References
Further reading
96 pages. il Flight Magazine 63: 688-689 My 29 '53