ABOUT THIS GROUP

No 11 Group, led by the Global Air Component Commander, provides Command and Control of Air Operations worldwide. 11 Group 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 Expeditionary Air Group (EAG).

Our vision is to be an agile and resilient Global Air Component that commands, operates and fights; interoperable with Allies and across all domains. 

Defence of the heart

What we do

Headquarters

Following the Operational Command of PJHQ (Permanent Joint HQ) 11 Gp HQ supports the creation, coordination, and completion of Operational Air taskings. 11 Gp HQ is responsible for the Operational Control of all operations and exercises throughout the RAF and provides the through-life planning, direction, support, and assurance for all functions, enabling a vast array of worldwide Air activity.

Some of the functions that 11 Gp provide include:

  • Providing intelligence updates and threat assessments.
  • Providing the focal point for the RAF’s contribution to operations through Crisis Commitments and overseeing the output of air and space effects.
  • Coordination of Military Aid to Civil Authorities through the RAF Regional Liaison Officers. 
  • Development of all policy and plans for Joint, NATO and Multinational operations, including the UK. 
  • Planning and directing the provision of communications information services for Air Operations and Exercises. 
  • Training through coordination and delivery of RAF participation in major international exercises, both at home and overseas alongside our Allies.

National Air & Space Operations Centre

The National Air & Space Operations Centre (NASOC) provides resilient Command and Control of the UK Air Defence System thus ensuring the integrity of the UK sovereign airspace and contributing to UK Homeland Defence and Resilience operations.

83 Expeditionary Air Group

83 Expeditionary Air Group (EAG) is responsible for the delivery of UK national and Defence objectives across the Middle East by Air. They extend 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.

Joint Force Air Component

The Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) is the Very High Readiness, deployable, Air Command and Control element of 11 Group. It provides Command and Control of all assets that are assigned to the Global Air Component Commander for National, Bilateral, Alliance and Coalition Operations.

Joint Air Liaison Organisation

Joint Air Liaison Organisation (JALO) is the Defence lead for Air Land and Air Maritime integration. The JALO coordinates the generation and development of joint and multinational capabilities in order to exploit the effects of air power. It is the Joint User for the Joint Terminal Attack Controller capability.

Commander

Air Vice-Marshal Steve Kilvington CBE BSc (Hons) MA RAF

Air Vice-Marshal Kilvington was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1996 after graduating from Warwick University with an honours degree in Physics. Following Officer and Navigator training he was posted to the Tornado F3 Force where he completed operational tours in the Middle East and South Atlantic. Whilst operating Tornado he became a Qualified Weapons Instructor, later serving 2 years as a flight commander on the F3 Operational Conversion Unit. Between 2014 and 2016 Kilvington commanded Number 8 Squadron operating the E-3D Sentry, during which time it was committed to Coalition and NATO operations in the Middle East and Europe. He was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal by SACEUR for his leadership during this period.

In 2020, Kilvington returned to RAF Waddington as the Station Commander where he was responsible for 3000 service personnel, eight squadrons and the safe operation of seven UK Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance capabilities. In addition to his operational flying tours, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 as an Air Advisor supporting a UK Task Force.

Kilvington has completed staff tours in the Ministry of Defence as a desk officer in Theatre Airspace Capability, as the Middle East and Europe Desk Officer in the Operations Directorate and as Assistant Head Force Development in Capability Strategy. In Air Warfare Centre roles, he was the Trials Programme Manager for the Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit and commanded 92 Squadron (Tactics and Training) between 2013 and 2014.

Attending the Advanced Command and Staff Course in 2012, Kilvington gained an MA in Defence Studies, specialising in military ethics. He also completed French language training in 2018 before working with the French Air Force in Paris as the RAF’s Air Liaison Officer. Prior to taking command of 11 Group, he served as the UK’s National Military Representative to SHAPE between 2022 and 2025. He was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list.

Married to Lois, a Logistics Director, they live with their two school-aged children and an excitable Cocker Spaniel. In his free time, he enjoys running, cycling and (at long last) watching the successes of Nottingham Forest Football Club

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.

2023

The role of Air Component Commander (ACC) was established on 1 Feb 2023. The ACC has the edict of having total operational control of Air assets.