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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Technician Trades 1964 - present
NCO ranks were adapted mainly from those used by the RFC. After WW2 new NCO ranks were introduced to differentiate between Technical and Non-Technical trades and between ground trades and NCO aircrew. Until 1950 all ground tradesmen wore the same rank badges, however in that year a separate rank structure was introduced for Technical tradesmen.
| Air Recruit (AR) | No badge |
Introduced in 2022 to replace the title Aircraftman in order to reflect more inclusivity. |
| Leading Aircraftman/woman
(LAC/LACW) Air Specialist (Class 2) (AS2)
|
 |
Introduced in 1918 as a trade classification having no disciplinary powers over lower tradesmen. It became a part of the RAF 'supervisory' rank structure on 1 January 1951. The revised title was introduced in 2022 to replace the title Aircraftman in order to reflect more inclusivity. |
| Senior
Aircraftman/woman (SAC/SACW) Air Specialist (Class 1) (AS1) |
 |
Introduced on 1 January 1951 as an
intermediate rank between LAC and Corporal. The revised title was introduced in 2022 to replace the title Aircraftman in order to reflect more inclusivity. |
| Junior Technician (J/T) |  |
When Technician's ranks were abolished in 1964, the rank of Junior Technician was retained as an intermediate level between Senior Aircraftsman and Corporal for technical trades. This was replaced by SAC (T) in March 2005 |
| Senior
Aircraftman/woman (Technician) (SAC (T)/SACW (T)) Air Specialist (Class 1) Technician (AS1 (T)) |
 |
Introduced March 2005 for Engineers
who have attained the Operational Performance Standard The revised title was introduced in 2022 to replace the title Aircraftman in order to reflect more inclusivity. |
| Lance Corporal (RAF Regiment) (L/Cpl) |
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Introduced in April 2010 |
| Corporal (Cpl) |  |
Re-introduced in 1964, replacing the rank of Corporal Technician. |
| Sergeant (Sgt)
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Re-introduced in 1964, replacing the rank of Senior Technician. |
| Chief Technician (C/T) |  |
Originally introduced to replace the rank of Flight Sergeant in 1950, it was retained in 1964 but as an intermediate rank between Sergeant and Flight Sergeant. |
| Flight Sergeant (Flt Sgt) |
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Introduced in 1918 for all trades. |
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Warrant Officer (WO) (1964 - present) |
 |
Introduced in 1918 as the senior
Non-Commissioned rank. Became the only Warrant rank in 1939.
In 1950 Warrant Officers in Technical trades were renamed Master Technicians. They reverted to the rank of Warrant Officer in 1964. |
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, it is likely that the crown on RAF badges will be changed from St Edward's (Queen's) Crown to the Tudor (King's) Crown.
This page was last updated on 17/03/25©
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