Imperial Navy Air Forces, Organization of the air arm of the IN

The Imperial Navy Air Forces
Organization of the air arm of the Imperial Navy

The Imperial Navy is the overarching organization for almost every combat unit that operates above the surface of any world. There are of course the rare Imperial Guard Air Regiments, but they will normally be integrated into the Imperial Navy Air Forces (INAF) for any Imperial Army Group. The overarching organization of the Imperial Navy Air Force is loose having largepermanent formations being a rare thing. Where the Imperial Guard has Regiments the Imperial Navy Air Forces has Air Wings. These wings may be permanently based on a particular ship in a fleet similar to Space Wings or based on a vital world to provide immediate air defense. However, the vast majority is transported to the area of operations by a transport/carrier vessel and operates from planetary operating bases during prolonged ground wars.

As I have said the Imperial Navy Air Wing is the largest permanent structure of the Imperial Navy Air Forces. Above the Imperial Navy Air Wing is the Imperial Navy Regional Air Command or/followed by the Imperial Navy Planetary Air Command. The Planetary Air Command may also be the Fleet Air Command, depending on the size of fleet to which they are attached. An Imperial Navy Air Wing Commander commands an Imperial Navy Air Wing, which is equivalent in rank to an Imperial Guard Regimental Commander, generally a Colonel. The following table shows a comparison of the command rank and the ranks of the Imperial Navy Air Forces with those of the Imperial Guard.

If any operation on a single world grows beyond a single Army requiring more than one Planetary Air Command, the Air Forces would be broken down regional to support operations within specific areas, the regional INAFs. Above those INAFs would be the planetary INAF which could be sister to other planetary INAFs operating under a single fleet INAF in the case of large forces operating underneath a single large Imperial Navy Fleet. The highest ranking INAF officer within a fleet is the nominal Air Forces Commander should the Imperial Lord High Commander not choose his Air Marshall.



The Imperial Navy Air Forces has six different wing types. Four of these types are wings that are centered on a type of aircraft and have squadrons made up of those aircraft to perform certain task. The other two types of wings are used to provide more flexible formations either to support smaller operations or provide a combined force for very specific roles. The first four wings are the Fighter Wing, Bomber Wing, Tactical Wing, and Mobility Wing. The last two wings are the Composite Wing and the Support Wing.
Firstly every wing is made up of 3 groups, each commanded either by a Group Commander. The three groups are the Operations Group, the Maintenance Group, and the Support Group. The Maintenance Group is there to provide the immediate support to the aircraft and keep them flying and in operating condition. The support group is generally small and made up of Departmento Munitorum personnel and includes the Medical staffs, the Security Companies, and the Wing Chapel. Of course most of the personnel in the support group are from outside the INAF. The last group is the Operations Group. The Operations Group distinguishes what kind of Air Wing it is and contains all the aircraft and the flying personnel.

The Fighter Wing’s Operations Group has between 3 to 5 Fighter Squadrons. Each Fighter Squadron has between 12-18 aircraft of all the same type. This gives the average Fighter Wing roughly 36-90 aircraft. Each Fighter Squadron may also be tailored to a specific task. Some Squadrons may operate purely air-to-air or interceptor squadrons using the Lightning Fighter. Others may be focused on Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD), using the tough Thunderbolt loaded with Hellstrike missiles. There may be Strike squadrons meant for going in after targets just behind enemy lies and interdicting the enemy’s supply lines. There may also be Close Air Support (CAS) Squadrons that focus on providing the ground forces with immediate air support should the need arise. The vast majority of Fighter Squadrons however will be general fighter squadrons, capable of handling most of the missions at which the specialized squadrons excel.

Example Imperial Navy Air Forces Fighter Wing
314th Fighter Wing (total of 52 Aircraft)
3141st Interceptor Squadron – 12 Lightning Fighters
3142nd DEAD Squadron – 16 Thunderbolts, focus on Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses
3143rd Fighter Squadron – 12 Thunderbolts
3144th Fighter Squadron – 12 Thunderbolts

The Bomber Wings Operation Group has between 2 and 4 Bomber Squadrons. Each Bomber Squadron has 6 to 12 aircraft all of the same type. A Bomber Wing has between 12 and 48 aircraft. There are a few different types of Bomber Squadrons. There is the standard Bomber Squadron, capable of performing a array of missions. There is the Heavy Bomber Squadron focusing on the employment of large munitions against heavy reinforced targets. There are the CAS Squadrons that like their fighter brethren provide direct support to the ground forces.

Example Imperial Navy Air Forces Bomber Wing
250th Bomber Wing (total of 30 Aircraft)
2501st CAS Bomber Squadron – 6 Marauder Destroyers
2502nd Bomber Squadron – 9 Marauder Bombers
2503rd Bomber Squadron – 9 Marauder Bombers
2504th Heavy Bomber Squadron – 6 Marauder Bombers (Heavy)

The Tactical Wing Operations Group has between 2 and 3 Tactical Squadrons, a Recon and Rescue Squadron, and a CAS Fighter Squadron. Each Tactical Squadron has 2 to 4 flights of 4 Valkyrie Transports and 2 flights of 4 Vulture Gunships. A Tactical Wing normally supports Imperial Guard Storm Trooper Companies and is for special operations. The RnR Squadron and the CAS Fighter Squadron are small squadrons, always on alert to effect the conduct Reconnaissance and Rescue operations when a pilot is shot down and survives.

Example Imperial Navy Air Forces Tactical Wing
145th Tactical Wing (total of 48 Aircraft)
1451st Tactical Squadron – 12 Valkyries and 4 Vultures
1452nd Tactical Squadron – 9 Valkyries and 3 Vultures
1453rd Recon and Rescue Squadron – 4 Valkyries, 2 Vultures, 2 Recon Thunderbolts
1454th CAS Fighter Squadron – 12 Thunderbolts

The Mobility Wing Operations Group has between 3 and 5 Transport Squadrons. A Transport Squadron can be much larger than the other types of squadrons. A transport squadron could have the simple Arvus, the elegant Aquila, or the heavy Hast (Heavy Aerospace Transport). The Arvus is a capable craft able to provide support across the range of operations. The Aquila is a VIP transport and provides a comfortable way to transport the Imperiums high-ranking officials. The last aircraft mention is the Hast, a heavy aircraft for transporting troops or supplies across worlds, while avoiding the need to actually get up into space. The Hast is larger than a Marauder and like the Arvus lacks any protection.

Example Imperial Navy Air Force Mobility Wing
271st Mobility Wing (total of 90 Aircraft)
2711th Supply Squadron – 24 Arvus Lighters
2712th Supply Squadron – 24 Arvus Lighters
2713th VIP Squadron – 6 Aquila and 12 Lightnings
2714th Transport Squadron – 12 Hast Transports
2715th Transport Squadron – 12 Hast Transports

The Composite Wing Operations group has between 4-8 Aircraft Squadrons. At the wings core is most likely 1-2 Fighter and 1-2 Bomber Squadrons. The rest of the wing can have additional Fighter or Bomber squadrons or any squadrons from the Tactical and/or Mobility Wings. Normally composite wings are not permanent formations and are created to provide a wide range of air support functions to a specific Imperial ground front, but not enough to require a full IN Regional Air Command with multiple wings in it. A Composite Wing will normally remain together for the duration of a ground war.

Example Imperial Navy Air Force Composite Wing
1st Composite Wing Lucia Rebellion (total of 67 Aircraft)
3141st Interceptor Squadron – 12 Lightning Fighters
3143rd Fighter Squadron – 12 Thunderbolts
2502nd Bomber Squadron – 9 Marauder Bombers
1452nd Tactical Squadron – 9 Valkyries and 3 Vultures
1453rd Recon and Rescue Squadron – 4 Valkyries, 2 Vultures, 2 Recon Thunderbolts
2712th Supply Squadron – 24 Arvus Lighters

The Support Wing Operations group will have between 4-6 aircraft squadrons. The Support Wing’s primary mission is to provide the functions of Tactical and Mobility Wings to a smaller Regional or Planetary Air Command that does not need a full Tactical or Mobility Wing. There is also another kind of Support Wing which may contain more unique squadrons, like high altitude recon squadrons.

Example Imperial Navy Air Force Support Wing
264th Support Wing Lucia Rebellion (total of 68 aircraft)
2641st Supply Squadron – 24 Arvus Lighters
2642nd VIP Squadron – 4 Aquila and 8 Lightnings
2643rd Transport Squadron – 12 Hast Transports
2644th Recon and Rescue Squadron – 4 Valkyries, 2 Vultures, 2 Recon Thunderbolts
2645th Recon Squadron – 4 Marauder Recons and 8 Thunderbolt Recons

The wings detailed above are a general idea of how the majority of the Imperial Navy Air Forces are structured. I have only detailed the general wing structures. There could be a multitude of squadron variants spread throughout the wing types. Those may be for another article though.

Types and Compositions of Squadrons
This is a list of squadrons found throughout the Imperial Navy Air Forces. It is in no way a complete list and is just to give an example of the kind of squadrons found throughout the Imperium of man. Squadrons may have additional flights that provide supporting functions such as analysis and planning.

Interceptor Squadron
Primary Purpose: Air-to-Air
Mission Types: Escort, Area Sweep, CAP
Aircraft: 12-24 Lightings
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/2 Aircraft

DEAD Squadron
Primary Purpose: Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses
Mission Types: DEAD
Aircraft: 12-24 Thunderbolts
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/2 Aircraft

Fighter Squadron
Primary Purpose: Tactical Fighter
Mission Types: Air-to-Air, CAS, CAP, DEAD, Interdiction
Aircraft: 12-24 Thunderbolts/Lightings/Lighting Strikes
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/2 Aircraft

Ground Attack/CAS Squadron
Primary Purpose: Ground Attack
Mission Types: CAS, DEAD, Interdiction
Aircraft: 12-24 Thunderbolts/Lighting Strikes
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/2 Aircraft

Ground Attack/CAS Bomber Squadron
Primary Purpose: Ground Attack
Mission Types: CAS, DEAD, Interdiction
Aircraft: 6-12 Marauder Destroyers
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/1 Aircraft

Bomber Squadron
Primary Purpose: Ground Attack
Mission Types: Strategic Attack, DEAD, Interdiction
Aircraft: 6-12 Marauders
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/1 Aircraft

Tactical Squadron
Primary Purpose: Tactical Insertion
Mission Types: Air Assault, Rescue, Air Transport
Aircraft: 9-18 Valkyries & 3-6 Vultures
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/1 Aircraft

Recon and Rescue Squadron
Primary Purpose: Tactical Insertion
Mission Types: Tactical Recon, Rescue
Aircraft: 4-6 Valkyries, 2-3 Vultures, 0-4 Recon Thunderbolts
Organization: 3-6 Flights/2-4 Elements/2 Aircraft

High Altitude Recon Squadron
Primary Purpose: Recon
Mission Types: Strategic Recon
Aircraft: 4-8 Marauder Recons
Organization: 2-4 Flights/2-4 Elements/1 Aircraft

Supply Squadron
Primary Purpose: Transport
Mission Types: Tactical / Strategic / General / VIP Transport
Aircraft: 12-48 Arvus Lighters or Hast Transports
Organization: 2-4 Flights/2-4 Elements/1-4 Aircraft

VIP Squadron
Primary Purpose: Transport
Mission Types: Tactical / VIP / General Transport
Aircraft: 4-12 Arvus Lighters / Aquilas 0-24 Thunderbolts / Lightings
Organization: 2-4 Flights/2-4 Elements/1-4 Aircraft

Transport Squadron
Primary Purpose: Transport
Mission Types: Strategic / General Transport
Aircraft: 12-48 Arvus Lighters or Hast Transports
Organization: 2-4 Flights/2-4 Elements/1-4 Aircraft

This is only an overview of the most common and basic structure found throughout the the Emperor’s Imperial Navy Air Forces. There can be huge variation throughout the Air Forces and sometimes Imperial Guard Regiments full fill the same functions as the INAF wings. The Imperial Navy is a vast organization steeped in traditions dating back to the very formation of the Imperium and some of its structures are rare in the extreme, possibly only one in the entirety of the Emperor’s Imperial warmachine. It is up to the individual commander to determine what structures he actually needs to achieve success against the enemy.

Force Organizational ideas drawn from 20th and 21st century western air forces, primarily the RAF, USAAF, and USAF. I also drew on information regarding the Imperial Navy Air Wings in the Taros Campaign, from Imperial Armour 3: The Taros Campaign and what I remember from reading Double Eagle (I need to get a new copy eventually).

Excellent work there orangesm! This will be useful for any Imperial Navy players. One question though, did you use any 40k sources for these structures or is it all based on real life formations? If so what is your source since I'm having trouble finding anything. Thanks for putting this together!

Updated sources for some information. See above (most recent edits in bold).

The updated text is as follows.

I also drew on information regarding the Imperial Navy Air Wings in the Taros Campaign, from Imperial Armour 3: The Taros Campaign and what I remember from reading Double Eagle (I need to get a new copy eventually).

Made the promised update for the Composite and Support Wings. I guess the next article would need to be the various squadron types out there.

I'm typically against fan-speculation articles, but this is really well done and draws on enough historical and contemporary facts that I'll sign on to these as Imperial Doctrine or at least the doctrinal framework of organization.

I was impressed most with the Air Mobility Wing's inclusion of the VIP Squadron. Something akin to the C-12s and UC-35s (or whater the AF uses for their VIP mission) Though I'd question whether or not they'd have dedicated fighter escorts. Perhaps they have a mix of VIP mission dedicated Valkyries (for those not important enough to have an Aquila) and Aquilas?

The other thing I'll mention for your consideration is that there's a few references in Double Eagle and a few other fluff tomes (whose names are escaping me now) of Lightnings in Reconnaisance Squadrons.

EDIT: Also, don't forget the Reconaisance marauder shown in IA1 and mentioned in IA3 before Operation Comet

Finally, on the subject of your CSAR squadrons, don't the contemporary USAF ones have C-130s in the squadron or SAR wing? Perhaps either a Hast or A Marauder Destroyer would be more appropriate than the Thud here. I always think of the Destroyer as something akin to the AC-130 in its mission, there in close support of airborne or special operations ground forces.

Once again excellent work! Are you capable of making an organization chart IA style? If so adding a chart or two and this could be a great dedicated article. I also agree with GreenMtVince regarding fan-speculation (even in areas where there is very little like the IN) but this makes a great guide line for anyone. FW if you're listening out there give orangesm a call when your writting the organization fluff in your next A.I. book...

Excellent! I have no idea of real-world air forces (or military stuff in general), but I always had the feeling, that it's the best source of "fluffy" information for imperial players. So well done, this could be an article worth reading for every Navy player out there.

Thank you for the praise, I had/choose to learn the USAF structure on multiple occasions and know the USAAF and RAF largely from my arm chair studying of history.

The squadrons I gave are meant to be possible squadrons for those Wings. I am considering coming up with a variety of 'standard' squadrons with what aircraft each has with mins and maxes. Possibly this coming weekend if I feel up to it.

I definitely could come up with an organizational chart, a general one for Wings and then have expanded ones for the Operations Group and Flying Squadrons. Again this weekend would be when I do that.

While yes fan-speculation can generally be dangerous, well thought out fan speculation that does not tread on the established background and tries to enrich what is available can be useful to all. (The Anargo Sector Project is a good example of this).

I just had a thought on how to do the 'organization' for some of the other races, but it will take more research than the above - Chaos Hunting Packs and Ork Flyin' Kircuses will have a much looser organization, probably most similar to mercenary units (WWII Flying Tigers) at their worst and mirror Imperial at their best.

Very nice! You should post a link to this on Port- Warseer.

I will be using this for my Force Org

Very good work. Keep it up.

Very good read, Think will base my force on this using the composite wing organisation.

Organizational Chart for what is described and the Air Wings in general, I have not gone into the make up of the various wings.

Should this also get placed in the Articles section?

Once again great work orangesm, I agree that this should be an article. Darnok?

There is a second part of this article yet to be written. The various types of squadrons found throughout the Imperial Navy. I think that would 'finish' the article up, it would just be a list of some more types of squadrons and their makeup, but in no way a definitive list.

Alright as I said list of a variety of squadrons, formatting is tough on a board. It is now written though. While watching Dreseden Files and BSG. And there is a close to the article.

Updates are in bold.

First post since a long while (hadn't been around since March, which might change a bit since a retailer store close to where I live takes orders for ForgeWorld products...) and I have to say that this article is really amazing.

If I'm allowed to, this is definitely something to use for the background of my squadron.

Greetz

Please do, it is meant to be used.