For many years, three Maritime Headquarters Units constituted the entire Royal Auxiliary Air Force until 1979, when 2503 (County of Lincoln), 2622 (Highland) and 2623 (East Anglian) Regiment Squadrons were formed at RAF Scampton, RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Honington respectively. They provide airfield defence, and continued to expand further Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons until 1997, when the War Appointed Squadrons of the Royal Air Force Volunteer VR were merged within the Royal Auxiliary Air Force - whilst retaining their ‘VR’ suffix.
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force continues to expand its numbers and roles, and provides valuable support to the RAF on operations across the world.