From Sep. 1, the Royal Air Force’s headquarters is now to be known as Air & Space Command, reflecting the still increasing importance of the space domain to national security and the RAF’s role beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Formed in 2007 following the merger of Strike Command and Personnel & Training Command, Air Command has served as the office of the Chief of the Air Staff (the professional head of the Royal Air Force) and the effective headquarters for the whole organisation. Strike Command was itself an amalgamation of Fighter Command and Bomber Command, while Personnel & Training Command was the successor to Support Command.
The redesignation to Air & Space Command makes a step in the direction other air arms have taken, notably the French Air & Space Force (renamed in 2020), Spanish Air and Space Force (renamed 2022), and the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (renamed in 2025). For now, the Royal Air Force’s official title remains unchanged, but the update to the Air Command name comes in only just below it in terms of prominence.
This may have passed unnoticed by many, but it’s a big deal in the reorganisation of UK Defence. Air Command has been re-designated to Air & Space Command. Per Ardua ad Astra https://t.co/Nx8KqNq4xT
— Greg Bagwell (@gregbagwell) September 2, 2026
While the RAF has long held responsibility over the space domain, managing the ballistic missile early warning facility at RAF Fylingdales since the early 1960s, and overseeing the UK’s SKYNET communications satellite network since 1969, the integration of space-based capabilities at every level of military operations – down to the individual soldier on the battlefield – as well as to daily civilian life has made its security a key priority.
‘Major Tedman of UK Space Command has described satellite jamming as a weekly occurrence. ‘
You’re daily reminder that we’re in a Cold War and woefully underprepared. https://t.co/SWQSsYOxZ2
— Martin Prince-Parrott RIBA FRSA 🇬🇧 (@MPrinParr) July 7, 2026
Chief of the Air Staff Sir Harv Smyth noted: “Space is essential to defence, security, prosperity, and our modern way of life. But it is also a domain of growing strategic competition. It has fast become an operational domain in its own right, and is vital to our ambition to develop and mature the integrated force. The RAF’s core mission of gaining and maintaining control of the air is fundamentally dependant on our freedom of action in and through the space domain.”
“It is now more important than ever for space power to be planned and delivered through the highest levels of military leadership, like all other domains. Our new HQ Air & Space Command will lead the delivery of space power with the same dedication that it leads for the air domain,” he added.
Smyth, himself, was previously the first person to hold the role of Director Space UK, and then moved to the role of Deputy Commander (Operations) in 2022. In 2023, this role was itself named to Air & Space Commander. Smyth continued in this post until 2024, at which point he was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations), and then to his current role as Chief of the Air Staff.
UK Space Command (UKSC), which was formed under the Air Command structure in 2021, will continue to operate under the new Air & Space Command umbrella.
This may have passed unnoticed by many, but it’s a big deal in the reorganisation of UK Defence. Air Command has been re-designated to Air & Space Command. Per Ardua ad Astra https://t.co/Nx8KqNq4xT
— Greg Bagwell (@gregbagwell) September 2, 2026
Though led by the RAF, UKSC incorporates personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Civil Service. It maintains the 1 Space Operations Squadron at the National Space Operations Centre, RAF High Wycombe, and 2 Space Warning Squadron is tasked with operating RAF Fylingdales. UKSC personnel are also deployed in small numbers worldwide to support the UK’s overseas bases and deployments.
In the latest 60 Second update from across the RAF, UK Space Command are deployed on @HMSPWLS, while working with the Australian Defence Space Command and we welcome the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth. pic.twitter.com/PIIdOGKToe
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) September 1, 2025
Dating from the formation of the Royal Flying Corps in 1912, the Royal Air Force’s famous motto will continue to ring strong through the service, perhaps with a renewed sense of meaning. Per ardua ad astra – through adversity to the stars.
