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RAF College Cranwell's role, squadrons and lodger units, facilities, flying info, contact and visiting details, station news, and history.
The Royal Air Force College (RAFC) is the Royal Air Force academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to become commissioned officers. The College also provides initial training to aircrew cadets and is responsible for all RAF recruiting along with officer and aircrew selection.
Royal Air Force Cranwell or more simply RAF Cranwell (ICAO: EGYD) is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire, England, close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. Among other functions, it is home to the Royal Air Force College (RAFC), which trains the RAF's new officers and aircrew.
Feb 5, 2020 · Today, Royal Air Force College Cranwell is the oldest military air academy in the world. From its inception in 1920, the College has sought to deliver training that meets the needs of a rapidly evolving Air Force, underpinned by the core principles of respect, integrity, service and ethos.
Constructed in 1932, the RAF College design was based on St Pancras Station and the dining room on the long room at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. The station canopy of the branch line terminus joining the main Cranwell station (currently the guard room) can still be seen from behind the kitchens.
The Royal Air Force College opened on 5 February 1920 under the command of Air Commodore C.A.H. Longcroft. The Chief of the Air Staff’s message to the first entry of cadets left them in no doubt of his expectations for the College:
Founders Day at RAF College Cranwell. The first 52 Flight Cadets walked through the gates of the RAF Cadet College. Lord Trenchard, Chief of the Air Staff, said:‘ . . . such a College was the essential foundation of a separate Air Service.
