No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group (EAG) is a group within the Royal Air Force, responsible for the delivery of UK national and Defence objectives across the Middle East by air elements. Their area of operation extends from the Southern end of the Arabian Gulf to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Personnel across the region perform to the highest of standards across a wide variety of Defence missions from Defence Engagement to Air Combat. Adaptable, capable and operationally focused, 83 EAG stands ready to deliver world class air power wherever and whenever it is required to meet the challenges of the future.
History
Originally created in 1943 during the Second World War, it formed part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF) and was known as No. 83 (Composite) Group. It provided support to Allied forces during the liberation of Europe. After being disbanded in 1946 it was re-established as No. 83 Group in 1952 to lead the 2TAF's units in Germany, until it disbanded again in 1958.
On 1 April 2006 it was reformed as No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group Headquarters, to lead UK air operations in the Middle East. Activities include Operations Kipion (the UK's maritime presence in the Middle East) and Operation Shader (the UK's part of the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)).
Current operations
83 EAG was re-formed on 1 April 2006 from the UK Air Component Headquarters in the Middle East. They are commanded by No.11 Group which provides Command and Control of Air Operations worldwide. No.11 Group also provides Air Defence of the UK through the National Air & Space Operations Centre, the ability to deploy with other services and nations with the Joint Force Air Component and projecting air power in the Middle East through 83 EAG.
Operation Shader is the RAF's ongoing commitment to combating Daesh in Iraq and Eastern Syria, as part of the international coalition against terrorism.
83 EAG comprises a headquarters based at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, No. 901 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW), also in Qatar, No. 902 EAW in Oman, No. 903 EAW in Cyprus, No. 906 EAW in UAE.
