Royal Pinguinian Air Force

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The high flying air force of the Piguinian Kingdom is suited to its needs. It brings tactical control and skilled aviating to the skies.

RPAF Roundel

The RPAF amkes up one-third of the Pinguinian military.

Purpose

Chief of the Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal David Swift

Over the last 10 years the Royal Pinguinian Air Force has undergone significant change. We have made tremendous progress towards ensuring a capable and efficient force structure, which is able to cope with the unpredictable and complex security environment that exists today, and is likely to exist in the future. I believe that we now have a balanced Air Force, which is structured and orientated towards a multitude of operations. I intend, therefore, to build on the firm foundations set by my predecessors, consolidating where appropriate, whilst still ensuring that we are sufficiently agile to adapt to emerging threats, and the opportunities offered by new concepts and technologies. Our objective in all this is to provide rapid, precise effects across the entire spectrum of operations, from high intensity warfighting to support operations.

Agility is at the heart of our operational capability. But we also need to be sufficiently adaptable to keep pace with changes in the security environment, and our equipment needs to have the embedded flexibility to be capable of meeting new demands. As a consequence, single role platforms will, I believe, become increasingly something of the past; multi-role must be the way forward. We must also make sure that we have the right people to support the frontline and ensure that they are just as agile and adaptable as our equipment.

Strategy

Strategy Priorities

In order to deliver the Royal Pinguinian Air Force Vision we must develop our speed and accuracy in analysing and delivering effects, underpinned by innovative and imaginative solutions resulting in reliable and effective decision-making at the lowest appropriate level. Strategy Priorities for the Royal Pinguinian Air Force over the next 5-10 years are to:

  • Support current operations
  • Maintain and further develop an agile, adaptable and capable expeditionary air power contribution to Pinguinum's overall Defence capability, which takes full account of emerging threats, concepts and technologies
  • Improve the accuracy, speed and coherence of our ability to deliver effects across the battlespace by developing and exploiting the Pinguinum's network enabled capability
  • Introduce Hawk into operational service and, as swiftly as possible, provide the aircraft with a robust all-weather multi-role capability
  • Harmonize our air power capability, concepts and doctrine with those of the FWA Forces
  • Ensure our structures, organization and processes deliver rapid and accurate decision making at the lowest appropriate level
  • Provide a World-class flying and ground training system and improve through-life education and training to produce well-motivated, highly trained, agile and adaptable warfighters
  • Develop a sustainable manning and personnel strategy that supports the RPAF's expeditionary capability and takes account of the prevailing social environment
  • Improve the quality of the RPAF’s operational, technical and domestic infrastructure
  • Optimize investment in the RPAF by delivering the outcomes of the Defence Airfield Review, further exploiting the benefits of the Defence Logistic Transformation Process, building a strong relationship with Industry, and eliminating waste and bureaucracy across every strand of RPAF activity
  • Further enhance the image and reputation of the RPAF with the public as a means of maintaining their enduring support and meeting our recruiting requirements
  • Improve our people's ability to clearly articulate the contribution that air power - and the RPAF - makes to Pinguinum's Defence

Development Plan

The Royal Pinguinian Air Force Development Plan

The Royal Pinguinian Air Force Development Plan is the means through which Transformation is managed. The AFBSC 2-star group has ownership and maintains oversight of the Development Plan, reporting progress annually to the AFBSC. The Development Plan sets out the key objectives on the Royal Pinguinian Air Force Strategic Themes out to the Defence Planning horizon (20 years). It is being reviewed in 2006 to reflect the FASOC and the Royal Pinguinian Air Force Strategy. An explanation of how the Royal Pinguinian Air Force Strategy is articulated in the Development Plan; with oversight is shown below: The Strategy Framework

The development of the RPAF is to be coordinated within a framework described by the RPAF Strategy. Within the RPinguinianAF Strategy, Chief of the Air Staff’s (CAS) Vision and the Future Air and Space Operational Concept (FASOC) beacon represent the ‘ENDS’ or outcomes that are sought out to 2025. The 8 Strategic Themes described by the RPAF Strategy, and illustrated below, represents the ‘WAYS’ or paths that will ensure actions are directed coherently towards the Ends.


Diagram for development

Diagram001av.png

The RPAF Development Plan incorporates CAS’s Strategic Priorities and converts RPAF Strategy into Tasks. It does so through prioritised Development Objectives that articulate those intermediate outcomes within the Strategic Themes that will enable the Service to secure the ‘MEANS’ needed for implementation of the Strategy. The Purpose of the Development Plan

The execution of the RPAF Development Plan sits within the Strategy Battle Rhythm, and is the mechanism that enables Executive direction over the conversion of RPAF Strategy into Tasks. Its purpose is to ensure a coherent approach in the pursuit of developing air power capability for Defence; in so doing, it provides focus on the priorities within the Plan and, importantly, it creates alignment on a range of issues throughout the RPAF. The relationship between the Services, Policy and force development activities, and the MOD organisation, means that the RPAF Development Plan will be used for 2 main purposes: first, to focus RPAF resources on development tasks; and second, to influence future MOD planning rounds by

  • Ensuring that the Policy, Concepts, Force Development and Equipment Capability communities understand the contribution that air power can make to Defence and the opportunities that exist for future force planning.
  • Ensuring that the RPAF community understands in detail the contribution that air power can make to Defence and the RPAF sponsored priorities for development of that capability.
  • Enabling RPAF staff involved in future capability work to act as convincing advocates for air power who can consistently and coherently represent the RPAF position in respect of developmental direction and priorities.

The role of Air Power

Air Power

The Royal Pinguinian Air Force makes a vital contribution as a force for good in the world by delivering flexible air power wherever it is needed. Pinguinum and her Allies are now faced with challenges of many different kinds. The RPAF is ready to meet these challenges.

The RPAF needs to be able to respond swiftly and effectively to new threats and challenges, preventing escalation in dangerous situations by projecting air power and, if necessary, countering force with superior force and skill. At the same time, the RPAF must retain its fighting edge, by keeping pace with technology, and training to meet the changing demands of a modern battlefield. All this must be done cost effectively; that is why the RPAF works increasingly in joint structures with the Royal Pinguinian Navy and the Army, as a team, making more efficient use of Pinguinian defence resources and increasing operational impact. The RPAF’s key task within these joint structures is to be ready to deliver flexible air power to meet any challenge.

In today’s world, it is a regrettable fact that there are many conflicts and fragile cease-fires waiting to explode into fighting. The RPAF must be ready to deliver flexible air power anywhere in the world.


What is Air Power?

Air power has always been a difficult concept to define. The Pinguinian definition is as follows:

"The ability to project military force in air or space by or from a platform or missile operating above the surface of the earth. Air platforms are defined as any aircraft, helicopter or unmanned air vehicle."


Characteristics of Air Power

Air power has three main characteristics:

Speed

The rapid arrival and build-up of aircraft near or in troublespots provides a visible sign of presence and intent. Modern air operations are also extremely flexible and can be switched between attack, defence and support depending on the needs of the moment.

Height

Air power is less vulnerable to enemy fire when compared with land and sea forces.

Reach

Air operations can also be conducted from bases far away from the opponent's military forces.

These characteristics can be combined to increase the effectiveness of air operations. For example, reconnaissance requires reach and height for high-level missions while transport aircraft use speed and reach to move force and equipment rapidly from home bases to deployed operations.

RAF ethos values and standards

Ethos, Core Values and Standards of the Royal Pinguinian Air Force

“The distinctive character, spirit and attitude of the RPAF which together inspire our people to face challenge, and, on occasion, danger. It is underpinned by tradition, esprit de corps and a sense of belonging. It encompasses the will to contribute to the delivery of effective air power that arises from confidence in the chain of command, trust in colleagues and equipment, respect for individuality, sustainment of high professional standards and the courage to subordinate personal needs for the greater good.”

Structure

RAF Commands

Groups and Expeditionary Air Wings

Stations

PKAF Claw

This station is the former Air Command HQ

Grid Reference: B5

home to the following sqaudrons:

  • 1st Squadron
  • 3rd Squadron
  • 5th Squadron
  • 15th Squadron

PKAF Belly

This station is the current Air Command HQ

Grid Reference: D4

home to the following sqaudrons:

  • 2nd Squadron
  • 4th Squadron
  • 10th Squadron
  • 16th Squadron

PKAF Uccellum

Grid Reference: D3

home to the following sqaudrons:

  • 6th Squadron
  • 11th Squadron
  • 17th Squadron
  • 21st Squadron

PKAF Volare (6C)

Grid Reference: D6

home to the following sqaudrons:

  • 7th Squadron
  • 12th Squadron
  • 18th Squadron
  • 22nd Squadron

PKAF Puffin (3E)

Grid Reference: F4

home to the following sqaudrons:

  • 8th Squadron
  • 13th Squadron
  • 19th Squadron
  • 23rd Squadron

PKAF Auk (6E)

Grid Reference: F5

home to the following sqaudrons:

  • 9th Squadron
  • 14th Squadron
  • 20th Squadron
  • 24th Squadron

Squadrons

Offensive Support

  • 1st Squadron
  • 2nd Squadron
  • 4th Squadron
  • 6th Squadron
  • 9th Squadron
  • 12th Squadron
  • 13th Squadron
  • 14th Squadron

Air Defence and Airborne Early warning

  • 3rd Squadron
  • 8th Squadron
  • 10th Squadron
  • 11th Squadron
  • 23rd Squadron

Reconnaissance

  • 5th Squadron

Flying Training

  • 19th Squadron

Operational Conversion Units

  • 15th Squadron
  • 17th Squadron
  • 20th Squadron

Air Transport and Air-to-Air refuelling

  • 21st Squadron
  • 24th Squadron

Support Helicopter

  • 7th Squadron
  • 18th Squadron

Maritime Patrol and Search and Rescue

  • 16th Squadron
  • 22nd Squadron

RAF Regiment

Display Teams

The main RPAF display team is called the Black Flippers.

People

Senior Commanders

CAS

AirChiefMarshal-SWIFT.png
  • Air Chief Marshal David Swift
  • Chief of the Air Staff

ACAS

  • Air Vice-Marshal Timothy Starling
  • Assistant Chief of the Air Staff

CinC Air

AirChiefMarshal-MARTIN.png
  • Air Chief Marshal David Martin
  • The Commander-in-Chief Air Command

DCinC Ops

  • Air Marshal Bruce Whitesheen
  • Deputy Commander-in-Chief Operations

DCinC Pers

  • Air Marshal Alfred Sparrow
  • Deputy Commander-in-Chief Personnel

CASWO

  • Warrant Officer James Wren
  • Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer

Ranks

Ranks and Badges of the Royal Pinguinian Air Force

Previous to 18th October 1900, when the Air Council announced the Royal Pinguinian Air Force ranks as they are today, rank titles were based exclusively on Army designations. From 1920, ranks were taken from both the Army and Royal Pinguinian Navy, one innovation within non-commissioned ranks was that of Flight Sergeant, which took precedence over that of Sergeant. From the Navy, commissioned ranks included Air Commodore, Group Captain, Wing Commander, Squadron Leader and Flight Lieutenant. The present aircrew rank badges were approved in 1960.


Non-Commissioned Ranks

SAC Rank badge

The non-commissioned Rank Structure within the Royal Pinguinian Air Force

Other Ranks

BADGE RANK ABBREVIATION
no badge Airman Am
Leading Airman.png
Leading Airman LAm
Corporal.png
Corporal Cpl
Sergeant.png
Sergeant Sgt
Flight Sergeant.png
Flight Sergeant FS
Warrant Officer.png
Warrant Officer WO

Commissioned Ranks

Sqn Ldr rank badge

The Commissioned Rank Structure within the Royal Pinguinian Air Force

Officer Rank

BADGE RANK ABBREVIATION
Pilot Officer.png
Pilot Officer Plt Off
Flying Officer.png
Flying Officer Fg Off
Flight Lieutenant.png
Flight Lieutenant Flt Lt
Squadron Leader.png
Squadron Leader Sqn Ldr
Wing Commander.png
Wing Commander Wg Cdr
Group Captain.png
Group Captain Gp Capt
Air Commodore.png
Air Commodore Air Cdre
Air Vice-Marshal.png
Air Vice-Marshal AVM
Air Marshal.png
Air Marshal Air Mshl
Air Chief Marshal.png
Air Chief Marshal Air Chf Mshl
Marshal of the Royal Pinguinian Air Force.png
Marshal of the

Royal Pinguinian Air Force || MRPAF

Uniforms

Medals

Medals within the Royal Pinguinian Air Force

Prior, each service had their own Medal Offices but in February 2005 the new tri-service MOD Medal Office became part of MPAA and is based at RPAF Belly. The MOD Medal Office is partnered with MOD and EDS elements. The MOD Medal Office is the sole authority for the issue of medals authorised by His Majesty to Pinguinian service personnel and veterans.

Applications for medals for currently serving personnel are co-ordinated and sent by the RPN, RPMC, Army and RPAF units and the MOD Medal Office despatches medals to the units for presentation to the recipients. Serving personnel should therefore always apply for medals through their units and consult their admin staff with any medals queries.

Roles in the RPAF

Is the RPAF for me?

If you take a look at the huge range of jobs we offer, you’ll see there’s a lot more to the RPAF than flying jets.

Our jobs vary as much as people do. For some, you need no qualifications at all; for others, you need anything from PECss to a degree. If you’re about to go into the Year 12+ or off to university, we may be able to sponsor your studies. Or, once you join, we can help you get anything from a PIQ to a high-level professional qualification.

Whatever your background and interests, if you’re young, motivated and adventurous, there’ll almost certainly be an RPAF job to suit you. All RPAF roles are open to women, with the sole exceptions of RPAF Regiment Officer and RPAF Regiment Gunner – jobs that can involve fighting the enemy face-to-face.

Current Operations

Equipment

Equipment within the Royal Pinguinian Air force

Welcome to the technical information centre of the Royal Pinguinian Air Force. Here you will find details of all of the aircraft and weapons currently in use.

The RPAF have recently introduced into operational service the world-class Buteo's. Alongside the aircraft come the next generation of air-to-air missiles, and a new range of air-to-ground precision guided weapons to give it even greater flexibility in terms of choice of weapon, delivery height and launch distance from target.

Aircraft

Offensive

These aircraft enable the RPAF to project air power as a deterrent, or in response to aggression, to any part of the world. The ability to operate far from their fixed bases at short notice is testimony to the effectiveness of the modern RPAF. The types of Offensive Aircraft the Royal Pinguinian Air Force uses today are:

  • Falco T-Type
  • Falco S-Type
  • Falco B-Type
  • Falco R-Type
  • Falco P-Type (the 'Peregrines')

Defensive

The Air Defence of the Pinguinum is one of the key roles of the Royal Pinguinian Air Force. When this role is combined with the Pinguinum's commitment to NSTO and to United Nations peacekeeping activities, the Air Defence forces of the RPAF have to be potent, responsive and flexible. The Defensive Aircraft used by the Royal Pinguinian Air Force are:

  • Buteo B-Type (the 'Buzzards')
  • Buteo J-Type

Reconnaissance and Maritime Patrol Aircraft

On the modern battlefield, information, particularly accurate and timely information, is vital to any force commander. To supply this resource, the RPAF operates a variety of aircraft equipped with world-leading reconnaissance systems. As a maritime nation, protection of the sea lanes is also of paramount importance, a role fulfilled by the Diomedea fleet. The Aircraft used for these roles are:

Diomedea class
Bubo class
Tyto class
Ketupa class

Tanker and Transport Aircraft

RPAF air defence and other fixed wing operational aircraft are supported by a force of tanker aircraft. An air-to-air refuelling capability is a major asset to any air force enabling aircraft to be deployed very quickly over large distances, to stay on patrol longer, and to fly further into enemy territory carrying larger weapon loads. Equally vital to the projection of effective air power by a modern air force are strategic and tactical transport aircraft. Combat aircraft need a wide variety of support equipment and personnel to operate away from base, delivering these to where they are needed is the task of these aircraft:

Pelicanus class

  • gw-Type
  • b-Type

Smaller Transport Aircraft

Helicopters

Accipiter class

  • G-Type
  • C-Type

Training Aircraft

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Weapons

Air-To-Air

Aircraft Cannons

Long Range Air-To-Surface

Anti-Shipping

Short Range Air-To-Surface

Reconnaissance Systems

History

Events

The Black Flippers put on an air display annually.

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The Kingdom of Pinguinum
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Main article: Pinguinum

Royalty: King Dwight, Queen Angela, Royal Family
Government: Central & Local, Parliamentary Acts, Diplomacy


Business: Stock Exchange, List of Companies
Society: Sport
Defense: Military, PKA, RPN, RPAF

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Other articles within Category:Pinguinian