"defence of the heart"

About this Group

The new 11 Group combines the capabilities of the COS Ops AO with the Air Battle Staff, comprising the deployable Joint Force Air Component (JFAC), the National Air & Space Operations Centre (NASOC) and the Executive Team.  It also incorporates the BM Force, providing the building blocks for the generation of a powerful non-kinetic effects capability.

Multi-Domain Operations

The nature of warfare is evolving constantly and Air Command must adapt and be able to conduct operations across multiple environments or domains, particularly Air, Space and Cyber. The huge amount of data that we collect must be applied with a focused and integrated approach, where intelligence and information activity is incorporated into the planning and execution of operations across the domains.

Air Officer Commanding

Air Vice-Marshal Ian Duguid OBE

Air Vice-Marshal Ian Duguid joined the Royal Air Force in 1986.  After completing flying training he was posted to RAF Laarbruch in Germany to fly the Harrier GR5.  He served 7 years in Germany completing tours with both No IV(Army Co-operation) and No 3(Fighter) Squadrons, and graduated as a Qualified Weapons Instructor.  During this period Duguid flew operational missions over Northern Iraq as part of Operation WARDEN as well as missions in support of the UN and NATO over the Balkans. 

In 1998, on promotion to squadron leader, he spent a short period within a media operations team in Kuwait during Operation BOLTON. 

Promoted to Air Commodore in Dec 12 he was appointed as the Head of Defence Operational Capability within the MoD.

In March 2015, he assumed command of the Typhoon Force leading it through a period of considerable growth and operational commitments. He became Air Officer Commanding 11 Group and Chief of Staff Operations at HQ AIR Command in October 2018.

Who makes this group

RAF Stations

Key dates

1918

Formed on 1st April, the Group only existed for just over a month before being disbanded.

1919-1920

Active between 22 August and reduced to wing size just two years later.

1936

On 14 July 1936, 11 Group became the first RAF Fighter Command group formed, with the responsibility for the air defence of southern England, including London. 11 Group's most famous period was during the Battle of Britain when, due to its position, 11 Group bore the brunt of the German aerial assault.

1968

11 Group was incorporated into RAF Strike Command in 1968, with its headquarters at RAF Bentley Priory. Here, the Group took responsibility for the UK Air Defence Region and was instrumental in monitoring the Nation’s airspace and directing the RAF’s air defence assets for much of the Cold War.

1996

The Group was merged with the maritime units of No 18 Gp to form No 11/18 Gp before being disbanded on 1 Apr 2000.

2018

Reformed on 1st November is No 11 Group.