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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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The table below shows the badges awarded to each unit, the motto and translation where known, the monarch who authorised it and the general date of the award
If you would like to commission any of the missing badges (including those marked *) please contact RAF Heraldry Trust for further details.
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| Aberporth | Abingdon | Acklington | Akrotiri |
Motto: Prove to improve Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - September 1966 |
Motto: Proudly Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - March 1955 |
Motto: Heri docendum hodie implendium (Yesterday it had to be taught, today it has to be carried out) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1957 |
Motto: Acre Semper Acria (The peninsula is always eager) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1957 |
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Alconbury |
Aldergrove |
Amman | Andover |
|
Based on Support Command badge |
Motto: Ours to hold Authorised: King George VI - November 1951 |
Motto: Swift to Defend Authorised: King George VI - December 1950 |
Motto: Vis exarmisconsilioque orta (Power derived from arms and knowledge) Authorised: King George VI - August 1950 |
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| Ascension Island | Ballykelly | Bassingbourn | |
Motto: Auxilium trans mar (Support across the sea) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - October 1983 |
Motto: In sole laborate (Work in the sun) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1958 |
Motto: Nos difficultates non terreni (Difficulties do not deter us) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1954 |
Motto: Pristinae Virtutis Memores (Mindful of the
value of our ancestors) Authorised: King George VI - October 1949 |
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| Bawdsey | Bempton** | Benbecula |
Benson |
Motto: First in the Field Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1960 |
Design based on Fighter Command badge |
Motto: Faireachail Authorised: |
Motto: Spectemur Agendo ( Let us be known by our actions) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1955 |
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| Bentley Priory | Bentwaters** |
Berka |
Bicester |
Motto: Authorised: |
Based on Support Command badge |
Motto: Guard, seek and strike Authorised: King George VI - October 1944 |
Motto: Semel et simul (Once and simultaneously) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1958 |
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Biggin Hill |
Binbrook |
Bishopbriggs |
Bishops Court |
| Motto: The strongest link Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - 1954 |
Motto: United we strike Authorised: King George VI - July 1951 |
Motto: Bis dat qui cito dat (He gives twice who gives quickly) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1954 |
Motto: Guard and guide Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1961 |
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| Boscombe Down** | Boulmer | Bovingdon |
Brampton |
|
Based on Strike Command badge |
Motto: Semper in excubitu vigilans (Always the vigilant sntry) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - 1986 |
Motto: Trust and fear not Authorised: ? |
Motto: Pride in service Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1959 |
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| Brawdy | Brize Norton |
Bruggen |
Buchan** |
|
Motto: Amddiffynfa y gorillewin (Stronghold of the west) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - December 1984 |
Motto: Transire confidenter (Pass through confidently) Authorised: ? |
Motto: To seek and strike Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1963 |
Motto: Ad courant (Well informed) Queen Elizabeth II - October 1956 as No 409 Signals Unit |
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| Burtonwood | Butterworth | Butzweilerhof | Calshot |
|
Based on Support Command badge
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Motto:
Sarang serta sengat (The nest with a sting) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1955 |
Motto: Per vires pax (Peace through strength) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - December 1955 |
Motto: Ducant astra (Let your stars be your guide) Authorised: King George VI - August 1947 |
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| Cark |
Castle Bromwich |
Catterick |
Changi |
Motto: Exercitatis nil invium (To a trained man nothing is impassable) Authorised: King George VI - January 1943 |
Motto: Supra urbem alae nostrae volant (Our wings rise over the city) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1955 |
Motto: Vigilance and knowledge Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - March 1971 |
Motto: Kamimelindongi semua (We shelter many) Authorised: King George VI - August 1950 |
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| Chessington | Chivenor | Church Fenton | Colerne |
| Based on RAF Support Command Badge | Motto: Docti Progredimur (We advance with knowledge) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - April 1982 |
Motto: With speed to the mark Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - April 1953 |
Motto: Age pro viribus (Do your utmostd) Authorised: King George VI - November 1944 |
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Coltishall |
Coningsby |
Cosford |
Cottesmore |
| Motto: Aggressive in defence Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1953 |
Motto: Loyalty binds me Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - December 1958 |
Motto: Seul le premier pas coute (Only the beginning is difficult) Authorised: King George VI - March 1949 |
Motto: We rise to our obstacle Authorised: King George VI - December 1948 |
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| Cowden** |
Cranwell |
Croughton | Decimomannu |
|
Based on Strike Command badge |
Motto: Alitum Altrix (Nurturer of the winged) Authorised: King George VI - September 1948 |
Motto: Fortis Ubique Volantis Authorised: |
Motto: No su aggiudausu Authorised: ? |
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| Detling | Digby | Dishforth | Donna Nook* |
| Motto: Dare to be wise Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - March 1955 |
Motto: Icarus Renatus (Icarus reborn) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1952 |
Motto: Par oneri (Equal to the task) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1954 |
Adapted Strike Command badge |
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| Drem | Driffield | Duxford | East Fortune |
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Motto: Exiit hinc lumen (From here went forth the light) Authorised: King George VI - June 1944 |
Motto: Strong foundations Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1951 |
Motto:
Verrimus Caelum (We sweep the skies) Authorised: King George VI - June 1941 |
Motto: Fortune favours the bold Authorised: King George VI - March 1945 |
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Eastchurch |
Eastleigh | Eindhoven | El Adem |
Motto: In varietate constans (Constant through changes) Authorised: King George VI - December 1944 |
Motto: Shupavu na thabiti (Tough and stronfg) Authorised: King George VI - March 1949 |
Motto: Stilte baart wijheid (Silence engenders wisdom) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - September 1960 |
Motto:
Vincit qui patitur (He conquers who endures) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - October 1953 |
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| El Hamra | Episkopi | Exeter | Fairford* |
Motto: Strength through mobility Authorised: King George VI - June 1948 |
Motto: United we endevour Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1964 |
Motto: Ex aeterna vigilantia vires (From everlasting watchfulness (comes) strength) Authorised: King George VI - March 1945 |
Based on Transport Command badge |
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| Feltwell | Finningley | Fylingdales | Gan |
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Motto: Vires Acquirit eundo (Ever gathering strength in our course) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1963 |
Motto:
Usque ad coelum fines (Extending as far as the sky) Authorised: King George VI - September 1948 |
Motto: Vigilamus (We watch) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1972 |
Motto: En route Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1965 |
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| Gatow | Gaydon | Geilenkirchen | Gibraltar |
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Motto: Pons heri pons hodie (A bridge yesterday and a bridge today) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1963 |
Motto: Viribus vigeamus (Let us flourish through strength) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - October 1956 |
Motto: Celer respondere
(Swift to respond) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1965 |
Motto: Guard the gateway Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - April 1956 |
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| Goose Bay | Gosport | Greenham Common |
Greenock |
Motto: Tingijub Akkarvinga (Landing place of the large bird) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1972 |
Motto: In caelum volantem in mare tonantem (Flying into the sky, thundering into the sea) Authorised: King George VI - July 1937 |
Based on Support Command badge |
Motto: Alou ail-suas n'as fhearr (Best maintained only) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - April 1953 |
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| Gutersloh | Habbaniya | Hal Far | Halton |
| Motto: Vallis Vesperis (On the western ramparts) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - January 1968 |
Motto:
Infesto Ferimus We strike the troublesome) Authorised: King George VI - January 1948 |
Motto: Intermare et Caelum (Between sea and sky) Authorised: King George VI - September 1943 |
Motto: Teach, learn, apply Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1981 |
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| Hartland Point | Hemswell | Hendon | Henlow |
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Motto: Venantes Dirigimus (We guide those who hunt) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - September 1960 as No 405 Signals Unit (renamed ?) |
Motto: Bold and tenacious Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - October 1958 |
Motto: Endeavour Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - 1986 |
Motto: Labor Arma Ministrat Unofficial - adapted from Home Aircraft Depot/ No 13 Maintenance Unit |
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| Hereford | High Wycombe | Holbeach* | Hong Kong |
| Motto: Take the bull by the horns Authorised: King George VI - April 1944 |
Motto: Nob sibi (not for ourselves) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1966 |
Adapted Strike Command badge |
Motto: Ability and ambition of the highest (in Chinese) Authorised: King George VI - August 1940 as RAF Kai Tak (renamed in February 1978) |
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| Honington | Hooton Park | Hornchurch | Horsham St Faith |
Motto: Pro Anglia valens (Valiant for England) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1956 |
Motto: Deus horam dat (God gives the hour) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1953 |
Motto: First things first Authorised: King George VI - February 1950 |
Motto:
Adsurgentes fugnamus (Rising we fight) Authorised: King George VI - November 1951 |
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| Hullavington | Hythe | Idris | Innsworth |
Motto: Service to many Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - May 1972 |
Based on Support Command Badge |
Motto: Sic vos non vobis (We labour to serve others) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - June 1958 |
Motto: Multos sustentare (Home to many) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - November 1976 |
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| Jurby** | Jurby Head** | Kai Tak | Kalafrana |
| Motto: Quocunque Jeceris Stabit Authorised: Possibly unofficial |
Based on Strike Command badge |
Motto: Ability and ambition of the highest (in Chinese) Authorised: King George VI - August 1940 |
Motto:
Nunquam defuimus (We have never failed) Authorised: King George VI - April 1938 |
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| Kenley | Khartoum | Khormaksar | Kinloss |
Motto: Nisi dominus pro nobis (Except the lord be on our side) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - December 1958 |
Motto: Main road of Africa (in Arabic) Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - July 1953 |
Motto: Into the remote places Authorised: King George VI - February 1950 |
Motto: Power to the hunter Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - August 1954 |
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| Kirknewton | Kirton in Lindsey | Krendi | Kuala Lumpur |
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Based on Support Command Badge |
Motto:
Je vole a tous vents (I fly whatever the wind) Authorised: King George VI -November 1947 |
Motto: Ad repugnandum renatus (Reborn to hit back) Authorised: King George VI - June 1944 |
Motto: We protect from the sky Authorised: Queen Elizabeth II - 1952 |
All badges on this page are Crown Copyright and have been produced by Mary Denton on behalf of the RAF Heraldry Trust, being displayed on this page with the permission of the RAFHT, except those marked *. Mary Denton and the RAFHT have probably completed half of the 'official' badges authorised but are still looking for sponsorship for the remaining badges. The work continues and details can be found on their website.
*These badges have been produced by Dave Clifford
© Crown Copyright is reproduced with the permission of the Directorate of Intellectual Property Rights
This entry was last updated on 24/04/25
Stations L - K
