Royal Erealandian Air Force
| Royal Erealandian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 1, 1918 |
| Country | Erealand |
| Size |
|
| Part of | Erealandian Armed Forces |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief | King Alexander I |
| Chief of the Air Staff | TBA |
| Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force | TBA |
The Royal Erealandian Air Force (REAF) is the air and space force of the Erealandian Armed Forces. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in Keaceria, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Between 1918 and 1947, the Royal Air Force was the largest air force of its day, taking a significant role in Erealandian military history. In particular, it played a large part in the Second World War, where it fought its most famous campaign – the Battle of Erealand.
The REAF's mission is to support the objectives of the Erealandian Ministry of Defence (MOD), which are to "provide the capabilities needed to ensure the security and defence of Erealand and its overseas territories, including against terrorism; to support the Government's foreign policy objectives particularly in promoting international peace and security". Its mission statement is "... [to provide] an agile, adaptable and capable Air Force that, person for person, is second to none, and that makes a decisive air power contribution in support of the national defence mission". The mission statement is supported by the REAF's definition of air power, which guides its strategy. Air power is defined as "the ability to project power from the air and space to influence the behaviour of people or the course of events".
Today, the Royal Erealandian Air Force maintains an operational fleet of various types of aircraft, described by the REAF as being "leading-edge" in terms of technology. This largely consists of fixed-wing aircraft, including those in the following roles: fighter and strike, airborne early warning and control, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), signals intelligence (SIGINT), maritime patrol, air-to-air refuelling (AAR) and strategic & tactical transport. The majority of the REAF's rotary-wing aircraft form part of the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command in support of ground forces. Most of its aircraft and personnel are based in Erealand, with many others serving on global operations or at long-established overseas bases. Although the REAF is the principal Erealandian aerial power arm, the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and the Erealandian Army's Army Air Corps also operate armed aircraft.