The Women's Auxillary Air Force (W.A.A.F.)

image-World War Two poster to recruit women into the WAAF The Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) first came into being on 1 April 1918 with the formation of the Royal Air Force, but was disbanded with the other Women's Services on 1 April 1920.

In September 1938, a Women's Auxiliary Corps, known as the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), was formed. Women enrolled in the ATS were trained for service with either the Army or Royal Air Force in the event of the outbreak of hostilities. In April 1939 the Air Ministry decided that the training provided by the ATS did not meet the needs of the RAF.

Accordingly in June 1939 members of the ATS training for service with the RAF were transferred to the newly formed Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) which was mobilized in August 1939. Members the WAAF were subsequently selected to serve with S.O.E. in France.

In June 1946 it was announced that the Women's Services would be retained on a voluntary basis as a permanent part of the regular Armed Forces of the Crown. Thus, the Women's Royal Air Force was formed on 1 February 1949 as an integral part of the Royal Air Force. Now, all officer branches, with one exception, are open to women and women are eligible to fly in all aircraft, including fast jets. The airmen aircrew categories of Air Loadmaster, Air Engineer and Air Electronics Operator, and all but 3 of some 52 Ground Trades are open to airwomen.

From 1 April 1984 all new entrants to the Service both male and female, have been trained in the use of firearms and may be employed on armed duties in defence of themselves, other personnel and installations wherever required. Thus, they are serving worldwide on detachments, postings, loan service and on international peacekeeping duties with the United Nations.