On This Day, 1940: On 22 July 1940, an RAF Blenheim used airborne interception radar to shoot down a Dornier Do 17…
Read the entry →Modern RAF Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
RAF UAV Operations and the Rise of StormShroud Systems
Modern RAF
How RAF uncrewed air systems evolved from early experiments to operational use, with StormShroud marking a new collaborative warfare role.
Read the article →RAF Opens More Aircrew Roles to Women in 1989 Reform
On 20 July 1989, the RAF opened female aircrew service to all non-combat flying specialisations, marking a major…
Concorde Return-to-Service Trials Begin from RAF Brize Norton
On 18 July 2001, a modified Concorde began RAF Brize Norton trials ahead of the supersonic airliner’s return…
Operation Cheshire Begins with RAF Sarajevo Airlift
On 3 July 1992 RAF Hercules of the Lyneham Wing began Operation Cheshire, the sustained humanitarian airlift into…
84 Squadron Helicopters Aid the Cyprus Wildfire Emergency
On 27 June 1995, No. 84 Squadron Wessex helicopters dropped 80,000 gallons of water while helping fight Cyprus’s…
RAF Harrier and Tornado Units Return Home from Iraq
Harrier and Tornado detachments returned to the UK after operations, while a smaller Harrier element stayed forward for…
Julie Ann Gibson Becomes RAF’s First Female Pilot Graduate
On 14 June 1991, Julie Ann Gibson became the RAF’s first female regular pilot graduate, a landmark in…
Black Buck 7 and the Final Vulcan Raid on Stanley | RAF Chronicle
On 11 June 1982, the RAF launched Black Buck 7, the final conventional Vulcan bombing mission of the…
RAF Tornados Launch Solenzara Sorties in Kosovo War
On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…
How Technology Changed RAF Aircraft Design and Capability
A deep RAF Chronicle Long Read on how airframes, engines, fuel systems, avionics and crew protection reshaped RAF…
Bosnia Airlift Milestone for No. 47 Squadron Hercules
On 3 June 1993, No. 47 Squadron Hercules crews reached 600 Bosnia airlift sorties and 19 million pounds…
No. 29 Squadron Phantoms Take Ascension Island QRA in 1982
On 24 May 1982, No. 29 Squadron’s Phantom fighters took over Quick Reaction Alert on Ascension Island during…
C-17 Globemaster III Enters RAF Service with No. 99 Squadron
On 23 May 2001, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III entered RAF service with No. 99 Squadron, transforming Britain’s…