This is a list of Royal Air Force Trade Groups (RAF TG). Each ground trade in the Royal Air Force (RAF) is assigned to a Trade Group (TG), which it operates under for command and control.[1][2]
Originally, the trades were organised in groups numbering I, II, III, IV and V, and M for any medical associated trades. They were changed into the 22 Trade Groups as shown below in 1951,[3] and have since undergone amalgamation into 19 groups in 1964, and down to 18 by the early 2000s.[4] With further amalgamations, only 17 of the original groups now exist.
Trade Group | Trades | Notes |
---|---|---|
TG 1 | Aircraft Maintenance Avionic, Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic, Weapon Technician | |
TG 2 | *No longer assigned* | TG 2 was amalgamated into TG 1, making one combined aircraft Trade Group by 31 March 2009[5] |
TG 3 | *No longer assigned* | Trade Group 3 was amalgamated with TG 11 to form the new Communications Trade Group 4[6] |
TG 4 | Information and Communication Technician Aerial Erector, Information and Communication Technology Technician | |
TG 5 | General Technician Electrical, General Technician Mechanical, General Technician Workshops | |
TG 6 | Mechanical Transport (MT): MT Driver | TG 6 also included MT Mechanic and MT Technician before amalgamation with TG 5 GEF. |
TG 7 | Air and Space Operations Specialist / Non-Commissioned Controller (NCC) | The administrative merge of TGs 9 and 12. With effect from 1 April 2019, TG9 becomes Air and Space Operations Specialist (Flight Operations), and TG12, Air and Space Operations Specialist (Aerospace Systems). TG7 NCC was formed from the transfer of TG9 and TG12 NCO controllers with effect from 1 April 2018. |
TG 8 | Firefighter,[7] Gunner,[note 1][8] RAF Police | Firefighters and RAF Regiment Gunners were transferred to TG 8 from TG 22 in 1976.[9] In the same year, RAF Firefighters were separated from the Regiment Command Structure and became a separate trade.[10] |
TG 9 | Flight Operations Assistant[11] | Now TG7 - Air and Space Operations Specialist (Flight Operations). |
TG 10 | Physical Training Instructor | |
TG 11 | Intelligence Analyst, Intelligence Analyst (Voice) | Formerly: Telecommunications Operator (merged into TG 4). |
TG 12 | Aerospace Systems Operator | Now TG7 - Air and Space Operations Specialist (Aerospace Systems). |
TG 13 | Survival Equipment Technician | Trade name changed from Survival Equipment Fitter in 2019[12] |
TG 14 | Air Cartographers, Photographers | |
TG 15 | Biomedical Scientist, Environmental Health Technician, Operating Department Practitioner, Pharmacy Technician, Radiographer, RAF Medic, Registered Nurse (Adult), Registered Nurse (Mental Health), Student Nurse | |
TG 16 | Dental Hygienist, Dental Nurse, Dental Technician | |
TG 17 | Personnel Support | |
TG 18 | Logistics Mover, Logistics Supplier | |
TG 19 | Logistics Caterer, Logistics Chef | |
TG 20 | *No longer assigned* | |
TG 21 | Musician | |
TG 22 | *No longer assigned* | TG 22 used to be the Regiment and Firefighters group. These are now in TG 8 with the RAF Police.[13] |