RAF Strike Command 1968 -2007

Product Description

In 1968 a decision was made to combine the RAF Commands that had become famous in World War Two. Thus Fighter Bomber Coastal Air Support & Signals Commands were combined into the single Strike Comm&. This amalgamation was to see service throughout the remaining years of the Cold War & action in the Falklands & the Middle East in Operations Desert Shield Desert Storm & Granby. This book looks at the origins of the World War Two Commands & their outline histories until 1968. The organisational change caused re-equipment base changes & increasing economic constraints
- an all-too familiar story. The Royal Navy was now responsible for the UKs nuclear deterrent in the form of their Polaris submarines so the RAFs V-Bomber Force were now relegated to tanker operations with the exception of the lone Vulcan that was sent to the Falklands conflict. The Commands fleet of fast jets became more adaptable with single types able to assume the roles of fighter bomber reconnaissance & maritime attack. The aircraft also become multi-national in their design & manufacture as Britains post-war lead in aircraft design had been frittered away by years of thoughtless government & our aircraft manufacturing devolved into a single company. Apart from the brilliant Harrier which the US continues to develop & build other aircraft flown by the Command were from European syndicates the Tornado & Jaguar being examples. The US supplied the transports in the form of the faithful Hercules & Europe most of the helicopter fleet. This book looks at the operations that took place during Strike Commands existence the aircraft they flew & the men who flew them. It is a tribute to the fast-dwindling strike power of the Royal Air Force.