No. 3 Group RAF - Post War

Post War

The Group HQ moved back to Mildenhall in January 1947. In June 1948, No.3 Group consisted of 35, 115, 149, and 207 Squadrons operating Lancasters from RAF Stradishall, Nos 7, 49, 148, and 214 Squadrons operating Lancasters from RAF Upwood, and 15, 44, 90, 138 Squadrons operating Lincolns from RAF Wyton. For a period in the early 1950s several squadrons flew Boeing Washingtons, the British name for Boeing B-29s lent to the UK until the English Electric Canberra could enter service. Most of the Vickers Valiant and Handley Page Victor, squadrons, made operational in the late 1950s, formed part of No.3 Group. During the Suez Crisis of 1956 Valiants of 138, 148, 207 and 214 Squadrons were deployed to RAF Luqa in Malta and the first Valiant attacks against Egyptian airfields began on 31 October 1956, with limited results due to the lack of experience operating the Valiant.

No.3 Group was also responsible for the Thor ballistic missile between 1 September 1958 and August 1963, with ten squadrons, including Nos:-

• 77 Headquartered at RAF Feltwell
• 82 Headquartered at RAF Shepherds Grove
• 107 Headquartered at RAF Tudenham
• 113 Headquartered at RAF Mepal
• 130 Headquartered at RAF Polebrook
• 144 Headquartered at RAF North Luffenham
• 218 Headquartered at RAF Harrington
• 220 Headquartered at RAF North Pickenham
• 223 Headquartered at RAF Folkingham
• 254 Headquartered at RAF Melton Mowbray

each with three missiles, being equipped with the weapon. On 1 November 1967 the Group was absorbed by No. 1 (Bomber) Group RAF.

The Group was reformed on 1 April 2000 to control Joint Force Harrier and maritime aircraft transferred from the former No. 11/18 Group RAF. It came under a Royal Navy officer, the Flag Officer Maritime Aviation. Rear Admiral Iain Henderson was the first occupant of the post, who also had the NATO roles of COMAIREASTLANT and COMMARAIRNORTH. AOC 3 Group/FOMA had two RAF subordinates, Air Commodore Harrier (for all the RAF Harriers and FAA Sea Harriers) and Air Commodore Maritime (for the Nimrods and SAR helicopters). After a further reorganisation in 2003-4, the group became known as the Battle Management Group and controlled the Airborne Early Warning aircraft, ground based radar installations, maritime reconnaissance aircraft and the search and rescue helicopters in the UK. The group was based alongside Strike Command at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

In 2006 the Group consisted of:

3 Gp Headquarters - RAF High Wycombe

• RAF Bentley Priory
• RAF Boulmer
• RAF Fylingdales
• RAF Neatishead
• 5 Sqn, RAF Waddington
• 8 Sqn, RAF Waddington
• 22 Sqn, A Flight & HQ, RMB Chivenor
• 22 Sqn, B Flt, RAF Wattisham
• 22 Sqn, C Flt, RAF Valley
• 23 Sqn, RAF Waddington
• 42(R) Sqn Squadron, RAF Kinloss
• 51 Sqn, RAF Waddington
• 120 Sqn Squadron, RAF Kinloss
• 201 Sqn Squadron, RAF Kinloss
• 202 Sqn, A Flt & HQ, RAF Boulmer
• 202 Sqn, D Flt, RAF Lossiemouth
• 202 Sqn, E Flt, RAF Leconfield
• SARF / 203(R) Sqn Squadron, RAF St. Mawgan (disbanded from April 2009)

As from 1 April 2006, the stations and squadrons which were under the command of 3 Group RAF were brought under the command of No. 2 Group RAF.