903 EAW was activated during 2003 in its current form as part of a modernisation directive to make the Royal Air Force more deployable on an 'expeditionary' basis. It was previously stationed at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, controlling RAF operations at the airbase there between Summer 2009 and November 2014. It used to report to No. 83 Expeditionary Air Group RAF (83 EAG).
In May 1945, 903 Wing provided close support to ground forces as they recaptured Rangoon before being redeployed to attack concentrations of Japanese forces remaining in Burma. On 12 September, No. 903 Wing was stationed at Kallang, the old civil airport of Singapore City when Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the formal surrender of all Japanese forces in south-east Asia. It included No. 31 Squadron RAF (Douglas Dakota).[3] On 31 October 1945; 79 years ago (1945-10-31), No 903 Wing was disbanded, becoming Station Headquarters Kallang.
Camp Bastion was transferred to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) when the United Kingdom withdrew from Afghanistan, and 903 EAW was stood down in November 2014; 10 years ago (2014-11).[21]
Elements of the RAF Typhoon Force – 9 x Typhoon FGR4 multi-role combat aircraft (six active, three reserve)
Elements of the RAF Air Mobility Force:
Airbus A400M Atlas C1 transport aircraft (as of 2023, replacing previously operated Hercules C5 tactical transport aircraft which were withdrawn from RAF service in 2023)
2 x Voyager KC3 multi-role tanker transport aircraft
Royal Air Force aircraft have been using RAF Akrotiri as their home airbase whilst carrying out these operations.[22] In February 2019, the Tornado GR4 force (previously involving up to ten strike aircraft on rotation) returned to RAF Marham for the types' retirement from service. The Tornado role in theatre is being undertaken by the Typhoon FGR4 detachment.[23]Sentry AEW1 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft from No. 8 Squadron were previously employed on operations. However, the aircraft was withdrawn from RAF service in 2021. The previously employed Sentinel R1ISTAR aircraft from No. V(AC) Squadron was similarly retired in March 2021.
In early 2024, in response to attacks launched against international maritime shipping by Houthi rebels in Yemen, Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft, supported by Voyager KC2/KC3 tanker aircraft, carried out strikes against Houthi forces. Four Cyprus-based Typhoons, carrying Paveway IV laser-guided bombs, and two Voyager aircraft were employed in the strikes.[24][25]
^"Tristar K1 | 1266". SquadronPrints.com. Squadron Prints. Retrieved 29 December 2016. ... it operated the Afghanistan airbridge continuously from February 2006 until December 2013, flying first into Kabul, then Kandahar and finally Camp Bastion.
