RAF Logistics Command
Encyclopedia
The Royal Air Force
's Logistics Command was a command formed to provide logistics support for the RAF.
The Command brought together most of the logistics functions of the Air Member for Supply and Organisation with those of RAF Support Command. These included the Maintenance Group Defence Agency, Support Command Communication and Information Systems, the Radio Introduction Unit, and the Central Servicing Development Establishment. Logistics Command was headquartered across two sites, RAF Brampton
and RAF Wyton
; on the later base 4 purpose-built open-planned pavilions were built. Its motto was Sustentamus ut Bellent which means 'We sustain that they may fight'.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in 1997 marked the beginning of a process of radical and far-reaching modernization of the way the Armed Forces conducted defence activities including the creation of unified logistics support. Many of the RAF's innovations in Logistics Command were incorporated into the SDR's 'Smart Procurement Initiative'.
Logistics Command was disbanded on 31 October 1999 and thereafter the majority of its functions were subsumed by the tri-Services Defence Logistics Organisation
which stood up formally on 1 April 2000.
Motto: Sustentamus et Bellent (We sustain that they may fight).
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
's Logistics Command was a command formed to provide logistics support for the RAF.
History
The Command was formed on 1 April 1994 and its role was to provide logistics support to the RAF. The formation of Logistics Command resulted from the Government's PROSPECT study which was aimed to achieve a 20% reduction in the UK armed forces' headquarters staff to match the previous 'Options for Change' front-line cuts. This provided the mandate to create a centre of excellence in logistics management within the RAF with the task of delivering the best standards of support for the front-line whilst at the same time achieving significant reductions in cost.The Command brought together most of the logistics functions of the Air Member for Supply and Organisation with those of RAF Support Command. These included the Maintenance Group Defence Agency, Support Command Communication and Information Systems, the Radio Introduction Unit, and the Central Servicing Development Establishment. Logistics Command was headquartered across two sites, RAF Brampton
RAF Brampton
RAF Brampton is a Royal Air Force station near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. Formerly the home of RAF Support Command, it now houses several elements of Defence Equipment & Support , which itself was a result of a merger between the Defence Logistics Organisation and the Defence Procurement Agency...
and RAF Wyton
RAF Wyton
RAF Wyton is a Royal Air Force station near St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England.In terms of organisation RAF Wyton is now part of the combined station RAF Brampton Wyton Henlow, a merger of Wyton with two previously separate bases, RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow. Wyton is the largest of the three. It...
; on the later base 4 purpose-built open-planned pavilions were built. Its motto was Sustentamus ut Bellent which means 'We sustain that they may fight'.
The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in 1997 marked the beginning of a process of radical and far-reaching modernization of the way the Armed Forces conducted defence activities including the creation of unified logistics support. Many of the RAF's innovations in Logistics Command were incorporated into the SDR's 'Smart Procurement Initiative'.
Logistics Command was disbanded on 31 October 1999 and thereafter the majority of its functions were subsumed by the tri-Services Defence Logistics Organisation
Defence Logistics Organisation
The Defence Logistics Organisation was a key element of the UK Ministry of Defence, responsible for supporting the armed forces throughout the various stages of an operation or exercise; from training, deployment, in-theatre training and conduct of operations, through to recovery and recuperation...
which stood up formally on 1 April 2000.
Motto: Sustentamus et Bellent (We sustain that they may fight).
Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief
Air Officers Commanding-in-Chief were:- 1 April 1994 - 8 March 1996 Air Chief MarshalAir Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Michael AlcockMichael AlcockAir Chief Marshal Sir Robert James Michael Alcock GCB KBE DSc FEng FIMechE FRAeS , usually referred to as Sir Michael Alcock, is a retired senior Royal Air Force commander and an aerospace consultant.-RAF career:...
GCB KBE DSc FEng FIMechE FRAeS - 8 March 1996 - 11 July 1997 Air Chief MarshalAir Chief MarshalAir chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir John Allison KCB CBE FRAeS - 11 July 1997 - 30 April 1999 Air MarshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Sir Colin TerryColin TerryAir Marshal Sir Colin George Terry KBE CB DL is a retired Royal Air Force officer.-RAF career:Educated at Imperial College London, Terry joined the Royal Air Force in 1965...
KBE CB BSc(Eng) FRAeS FRSA FILog FCGI - 30 April 1999 - 3 September 1999 Air MarshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Malcolm PledgerMalcolm PledgerAir Chief Marshal Sir Malcolm David Pledger KCB is a retired Royal Air Force officer.-RAF career:Pledger was educated at Heywood Grammar School and Newcastle University where he read Chemistry...
OBE AFC BSc FRAeS RAF - 3 September 1999 - 31 October 1999 Air Vice-MarshalAir Vice-MarshalAir vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
Graham SkinnerGraham SkinnerAir Vice-Marshal Graham Skinner CBE is a retired Royal Air Force officer.-RAF career:Educated at Hampton School, the University of Bristol and Loughborough University, Skinner joined the Royal Air Force in 1963...
CBE MSc BSc CEng FILT FIMechE FIMgt MRAeS