No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing

No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing Royal Air Force (903 EAW) is an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) of the Royal Air Force (RAF). It is currently based at RAF Akrotiri within the Sovereign Base Area on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, and is tasked with conducting operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Iraq and Syria.

903 Expeditionary Air Wing RAF
Active	1 December 1944 (1944-12-01) – 31 October 1945 (1945-10-31) 2003 (2003) – 2014 (2014) 2015 (2015) – present
Country	United Kingdom
Allegiance	Monarch of the United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Expeditionary Air Wing
Role	RAF deployable elements
Size	≈ 500 personnel
Part of	83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF
Based at	RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus
Nickname(s)	903 EAW
Website	903 EAW
Aircraft flown
Attack	Typhoon FGR4
Transport	A400M Atlas C1
Tanker	Voyager KC3

903 EAW was activated during 2003 in its current form as part of a modernisation directive to make the Royal Air Force more deployable on an 'expeditionary' basis. It was previously stationed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, controlling RAF operations at the airbase there between Summer 2009 and November 2014. It used to report to No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF (83 EAG).

History

Second World War

903 Wing RAF was active from 1 December 1944; 79 years ago (1944-12-01) to 31 October 1945 as a tactical wing, part of No. 224 Group RAF, Third Tactical Air Force.^[1] It was formed at Chittagong Airfield from Royal Air Force HQ Patenga. In December 1944, it was temporarily at Comilla with No. 67 Squadron RAF (Supermarine Spitfire);^[2]

In May 1945, 903 Wing provided close support to ground forces as they recaptured Rangoon before being redeployed to attack concentrations of Japanese forces remaining in Burma. On 12 September, No. 903 Wing was stationed at Kallang, the old civil airport of Singapore City when Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the formal surrender of all Japanese forces in south-east Asia. It included No. 31 Squadron RAF (Douglas Dakota).^[3] On 31 October 1945; 78 years ago (1945-10-31), No 903 Wing was disbanded, becoming Station Headquarters Kallang.

Operation Telic

903 EAW badge (2018)
https://twitter.com/BattleBackGolf/status/989938521342464001/photo/1

903 Wing was re-commissioned into service during 2003, and sent to Contingency Operating Base Basra as part of Operation Telic.^[1]

The wing stayed at Basra until May 2009.^[1]

Operation Herrick

During mid-2009, the 903 Wing was moved to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick, subsequently forming as an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW).^[1] It then consisted of:

• Westland Sea Kings operated by 845,^[4] 846,^[5] 854^[6] and 857 Naval Air Squadrons.^[7]
• RAF Force Protection Wing
• Thales Watchkeeper WK450s operated by 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery^[8] and 47th Regiment Royal Artillery.^[9]

It also supported the following:

• Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) that consisted of:
  • AgustaWestland Apaches operated by 3^[10] and 4 Regiments Army Air Corps.^[11]
  • Chinooks operated by No. 1310 Flight RAF.^[12]
  • Merlin HC2s operated by 28(AC) and 78 Squadrons RAF.
  • Elements of Tactical Supply Wing.
• Visiting Air Mobility aircraft including:
  • Airbus Voyager KC3 operated by No. 10 Squadron RAF^[13] and 101 Squadron RAF.^[14]
  • Lockhead TriStar aircraft operated by 216 Squadron RAF.^[15]
  • Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs operated by No. 99 Squadron RAF.^[16]
  • Hercules C-130J C4/C5 operated by 24,^[17] 30,^[18] 47^[19] and 70 Squadrons RAF.^[20]

Camp Bastion was transferred to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) when the United Kingdom withdrew from Afghanistan, and 903 EAW was stood down in November 2014; 9 years ago (2014-11).^[21]

Operation Shader

In December 2015; 8 years ago (2015-12), the 903 EAW reformed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to replace No. 140 EAW as part of Operation Shader.^[1] It consists of:

• Elements of the RAF Typhoon Force – 9 x Typhoon FGR4 multi-role combat aircraft (six active, three reserve)
• Elements of the RAF Air Mobility Force:
  • Airbus A400M Atlas C1 transport aircraft (as of 2023, replacing previously operated Hercules C5 tactical transport aircraft which were withdrawn from RAF service in 2023)
  • 2 x Voyager KC3 multi-role tanker transport aircraft
• Elements of the Royal Air Force ISTAR Force

Royal Air Force aircraft have been using RAF Akrotiri as their home airbase whilst carrying out these operations.^[22] In February 2019, the Tornado GR4 force (previously involving up to ten strike aircraft on rotation) returned to RAF Marham for the types' retirement from service. The Tornado role in theatre is being undertaken by the Typhoon FGR4 detachment.^[23] Sentry AEW1 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from No. 8 Squadron were previously employed on operations. However, the aircraft was withdrawn from RAF service in 2021. The previously employed Sentinel R1 ISTAR aircraft from No. V(AC) Squadron was similarly retired in March 2021.

Anti-Houthi operations (2024)

In early 2024, in response to attacks launched against international maritime shipping by Houthi rebels in Yemen, Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft, supported by Voyager KC2/KC3 tanker aircraft, carried out strikes against Houthi forces. Four Cyprus-based Typhoons, carrying Paveway IV laser-guided bombs, and two Voyager aircraft were employed in the strikes.^[24][25]

Commanders

rank	name	from	to	notes, refs
Group Captain	Paul Burt	9/10 May 2007	Nov 2007	Op TELIC
Group Captain	Mike Wigston	Nov 2007	Apr 2008
Group Captain	Andrew	2008	2008
Wing Commander	Ian Richardson	2009	2009	[26]
Wing Commander	Mark Flewin	2014	2014
Group Captain	Charles Dickens	2019	2019	[27]
Group Captain	Andrew Coope	Oct 2018	Mar 2019
Group Captain	Jonathon Moreton	Apr 2019	Oct 2019
Group Captain	Ian Townsend	Oct 2019	Feb 2020
Wing Commander	Calvin Bailey	Feb 2020	Jul 2020
Wing Commander	Dave Allen	Jul 2020	Jan 2021
Wing Commander	Dinger Bell	Jan 2021	Jul 2021
Wing Commander	Dutch Holland	Jul 2021	Jan 2022
Wing Commander	Frazer	Jan 2022	Dec 2022	[28]
Wing Commander	Jonathan Eastlake	Dec 2022	Apr 2023	[29]
Wing Commander	Richard Fawkes	Apr 2023	present	[29]

See also

• Operation Herrick aerial order of battle
• International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)

References

1. "903 EAW". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
2. Woodburn Kirby, Vol IV, Appendix 4, "Outline Order of Battle of Air Command, South East Asia, 12th December 1944".
3. Woodburn Kirby, Vol V, Appendix 21: "Outline Order of Battle, RAF Malaya, 1st October 1945".
4. "845 Naval Air Squadron". RoyalNavy.MoD.uk. Royal Navy (RN) – Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
5. "846 Naval Air Squadron". RoyalNavy.MoD.uk. Royal Navy (RN) – Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
6. "854 Naval Air Squadron". RoyalNavy.MoD.uk. Royal Navy (RN) – Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
7. "857 Naval Air Squadron". RoyalNavy.MoD.uk. Royal Navy (RN) – Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
8. "The Wessex Gunners". Army.MoD.uk. British Army – Royal Artillery (RA). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
9. "The Hampshire & Sussex Gunners". Army.MoD.uk. British Army – RA. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
10. "3 Regiment Army Air Corps". Army.MoD.uk. British Army – Army Air Corps (AAC). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
11. "4 Regiment Army Air Corps". Army.MoD.uk. British Army – Army Air Corps (AAC). Retrieved 21 October 2014.
12. "1310 Flight RAF Chinooks deliver on operations". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
13. "RAF - Number 10 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. RAF Brize Norton: Royal Air Force. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
14. "101 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 1 November 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
15. "Tristar K1 | 1266". SquadronPrints.com. Squadron Prints. Retrieved 29 December 2016. ... it operated the Afghanistan airbridge continuously from February 2006 until December 2013, flying first into Kabul, then Kandahar and finally Camp Bastion.
16. "99 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
17. "24 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 4 July 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
18. "30 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 9 September 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
19. "47 Squadron". RAF. Archived from the original on 7 March 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
20. "70 Squadron". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
21. "How to close Camp Bastion". Forces TV. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
22. "Penny Mordaunt visits troops in Cyprus who are fighting against ISIL". Portsmouth.co.uk. Portsmouth News. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
23. "Tornado jets return home after final flight". BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
24. "Royal Air Force and US attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen: What we know so far". Forces Net. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
25. "RAF Typhoons destroyed all Houthi rebel targets during second wave of strikes, PM says". Forces Net. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
26. "RAF ending 19-year Iraq mission". News.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
27. "Inside Operation Shader". World.Eurofighter.com. Eurofighter World. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
28. "Handover of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing marks eight years supporting Operation SHADER". RAF.MoD.uk. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
29. "903 Expeditionary Air Wing welcomes 43rd Commanding Officer". RAF.MoD.uk. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 22 July 2024.

External links

Media related to No. 903 Expeditionary Air Wing RAF at Wikimedia Commons

• 903 EAW — official website (archived)