What is the Army Air Corps Association? The Association is established to promote a lasting bond of comradeship between all those who are serving, or have served in Army flying - regardless of Service branch, Regiment or Corps capbadge.
A Brief History of the Army Air Corps. In 1911, due to the foresight and energy of a dedicated band of officers, the War Office established a military flying school at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain. The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was established by 1912. At the beginning of World war One, the RFC had 63 aircraft formed into four squadrons to be employed on reconnaissance tasks for the British Expeditionary Force in France. With the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918, service flying passed from army hands.
By the time war was once again looming in 1939, officers of an imaginative turn of mind had formulated the notion that light aircraft, by then more reliable and rugged, should be employed for reconnaissance and, particularly, for directing artillery fire. This was accepted and Royal Artillery officers, supported by RAF technicians, flew light aircraft in RAF Air Observation Post (Air OP) squadrons throughout World War Two. Many of these original squadron numbers still exist in use today maintaining the Army Air Corps’ links with its past.
In 1940, Winston Churchill ordered the Chiefs of Staff to recommend how best to form a new combat arm which was to be delivered to the battlefield by air. The result of this initiative was the formation in 1942 of the parachute battalions and the Glider Pilot Regiment (GPR), whose soldiers wore the distinctive maroon beret and capbadge of the Army Air Corps. The GPR was created to fly troops and heavy equipment in large towed gliders into areas behind the enemy’s front line.
| The now famous glider operations of the Second World War, notably Pegasus Bridge on D-day, Arnhem and the Rhine crossing to mention but a few, speak for themselves. Having landed the glider pilots then fought as infantry or assisted in crewing heavier weapons until withdrawn to fly other missions. The many casualties suffered by the GPR reflected the hazards of glider operations, but their deeds and achievements were outstanding. After World War Two the original Army Air Corps was disbanded and as gliders became obsolete, pilots retrained onto powered light aircraft and served alongside Air OP Squadrons as part of the Army’s eyes and ears. |
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On 1 September 1957, an Army order authorised the re-establishment of the Army Air Corps. The new Corps was to be responsible for managing its own fleet of aircraft, for aircrew training and for tactical development, technical support was placed in the hands of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC). The new Corps was to be formed from the existing Air OP Squadrons and the Light Liaison Flights operated by the remaining GPR units. Thus the early tradition of Army flying would be reborn from the amalgamation of these two bodies who were, in any case, well known to each other. They were to bring their expertise, traditions and history so the new Corps literally had a flying start.
At that time the Army Air Corps operated a mixture of Auster light aircraft and Skeeter helicopters and formed into Squadrons and independent flights. Flights were also formed which were incorporated into armoured, artillery and infantry regiments. Subsequent evolution and rationalisation of equipment and forces led to a point in the 1970s when nearly every brigade and division had its own squadron of 12 aircraft. At that stage the in service aircraft were the Bell 47 Sioux and the Westland Scout armed with the French SS11 anti tank wire guided missile. During the latter part of the Cold Was era a typical Army Air Corps regiment operated a mix of Lynx Mk 7 in the anti-tank role, alongside Gazelle providing observation and reconnaissance. Today the AAC is in the process of forming Aviation Attack Regiments equipped with the Longbow Apache which is at the cutting edge of military technology.
More information on the history of Army Aviation can be found in the Museum of Army Flying located at the home of the Army Air Corps at Middle Wallop, near Andover in Hampshire, England. Telephone 0044 1980 674421.
Who may join? Anyone who serves, has served, with the Army Aviation in any capacity may become a Member. This includes Commonwealth and foreign personnel who have served on attachment or in an exchange appointment. Honorary and invited (full) membership is also granted from time to time.
Civilians whose work is, or has been connected with Army Aviation, may also apply to be selected for membership.
Who runs the Association? A council which is broadly representative of the membership as a whole. The Director Army Aviation and the Regimental Colonel AAC are President and Chairman respectively; nominated serving members from the Army Air Corps in the United Kingdom and abroad; retired members of the Corps; representatives of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and Royal Logistical Corps (RLC); and members representing the Air Observation Post Officers' and Glider Pilot Regimental Associations.
Parallel membership of the latter organisation is encouraged where there is eligibility. Details may be obtained from the Secretary.
What are the benefits? The Association helps members who are in need, through the Army Air Corps Fund, the Army Benevolent Fund and other regimental or service charitable funds, SSAFA, The Forces Help Society, The Royal British Legion and so on.
It occasionally helps members to find employment on leaving the Service, through contacts with other members and civilian agencies.
It keeps members in touch through the Hawkeye publication which is issued at the end of each year, and the midsummer issue of The Army Air Corps Journal. A membership address list is kept on computer at RHQ AAC to aid administration and to serve as a reference for the use of Members.
| The AACA provides venues and refreshment facilities for members at major Corps events. |
Music in the Air |
It represents the interests of Army flying generally.
What is the cost of membership? Currently £10 per year payable in January each year. This helps to pay for the production and issue of Hawkeye and the AAC Journal, for the facilities provided at Corps events, and for the minor administrative costs such as postage and stationery. Any rise will be notified at least 6 months in advance.
How does one join? As yet it is not possible to join online. Perhaps in the future this will be possible. Email us with this link and we will send you a direct debit form to enable us to process your application.
Are there local branches? Yes, there are civilian and unit branches across the world. Here is a list of the local branches. As membership increases others may be opened to act as focal points for local Association activities. News from branches is published in Hawkeye and in the Journal. Any member interested in joining is invited to get in touch with the Secretary who will give details of the nearest branch.
