Air Command renamed Air and Space Command as RAF expands military space role
The headquarters of the Royal Air Force, Air Command, has been redesignated Air and Space Command – putting space power at the centre of military planning and operations.
The change reflects the RAF's responsibility as the Lead Command for space across UK defence and gives the domain a more visible place within Britain's senior command structure.
The new name also recognises the increasing importance of space to national security and military operations.
It is an evolution for Air Command, which was established in 2007 following the merger of Strike Command and Personnel and Training Command.
Air and Space Command, led by the Chief of the Air Staff, will continue to oversee UK Space Command.
Established in 2021, UK Space Command is responsible for protecting Britain's national and military interests in space, supporting allied interests and enabling UK forces to operate effectively around the world.
New HQ for space planning and delivery
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, said: "Space is essential to defence, security, prosperity, and our modern way of life. But it is also a domain of growing strategic competition.
"It has fast become an operational domain in its own right, and is vital to our ambition to develop and mature the integrated force.
"The RAF's core mission of gaining and maintaining control of the air is fundamentally dependent on our freedom of action in and through the space domain.
"It is now more important than ever for space power to be planned and delivered through the highest levels of military leadership, like all other domains.
"Our new HQ Air & Space Command will lead the delivery of space power with the same dedication that it leads for the air domain."
Under the Lead Command Model, the military commands of the UK Armed Forces will take leadership of different activities that are important to all of defence.
The RAF's selection as the Lead Command for space reflects its historic connection to the domain, having established the UK's ballistic missile early warning system at RAF Fylingdales in 1963 and launched the SKYNET 1A satellite in 1969.
From Bomber Command to Air and Space Command
RAF High Wycombe was established in 1938 as the location for Bomber Command – within reach of London, but harder for enemy aircraft to find and attack from the air.
In 1968, Bomber Command was merged with Fighter Command to form the new Strike Command, still based at RAF High Wycombe – this new command controlled the RAF's combat aircraft, including all its bomber and fighter forces.
In 2007, Strike Command merged with Personnel and Training Command to form a single Air Command to act as the headquarters for the entire RAF.
With the growing importance of space to daily lives, as well as military operations around the world, UK Space Command was formed under Air Command in 2021.
After nearly two decades operating as Air Command, in 2026 it is now Air and Space Command.
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