List of conversion units of the Royal Air Force


Conversion units and operational conversion units were training units of the Royal Air Force.

History

With the introduction of new heavy bombers, the four-engined Short Stirling, Avro Lancaster and Handley Page Halifax, the Royal Air Force introduced heavy conversion units. The heavy conversion units began forming in late 1941, to qualify crews trained on medium bombers to operate the heavy bombers before final posting to the operational squadrons. Some of the heavy conversion units were involved in bombing operations over Germany.
After the end of the Second World War, the role of the HCUs was taken over by the operational conversion units. Although the units had nominal bases, it was usual for different flights and individual aircraft to be detached nearer the operational bases.
Royal Air Force Operational Conversion Units are training units that prepare aircrew for operations on a particular type or types of aircraft or roles. Some OCUs have a shadow, or reserve, squadron designation which is used if the unit has a war role.

Current Royal Air Force OCUs

Lightning - RAF Marham
Typhoon - RAF Coningsby
Hawk - RAF Valley
Support Helicopter - RAF Benson
Hercules - RAF Brize Norton
ISTAR - RAF Waddington
Tutor - RAF Wittering
Some aircraft types which are operated by a single squadron, which includes most transport aircraft, and most ISTAR aircraft, are not big enough to need a dedicated OCU Squadron for their training requirements - they may only have a couple of students at any time. Therefore, smaller squadrons also incorporate training facilities to allow them to process aircrew onto their aircraft type. Some roles, such as ISTAR, require more rear crew for the aircraft, like Weapon systems officers and weapon systems operator - their training can be more generalised, and this is carried out by 54 Squadron at RAF Waddington. This reduces the training requirement on the individual ISTAR squadrons, by providing aircrew who require only aircraft conversion training when they reach their squadron. Pilots are trained directly onto their aircraft type by the frontline squadrons using training 'Flights'. An example of this is the OCU flight of 24 Squadron, which trains new Hercules aircrew onto the aircraft.
Operational Conversion Units are monitored by the RAF's Central Flying School to maintain training standards. Training is delivered by Qualified Flying Instructors and Qualified Weapons Instructors, and frontline squadrons will also have qualified individuals to deliver continual and refresher training after the OCU. OCUs generally also provide training for those aircrew selected to become QFIs on an aircraft type - an example would be 208 Squadron, which currently trains aircrew for 100 Squadron, QFIs for 208, and provides refresher training for aircrew joining the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.

List of conversion units

Citations