Editing RAF Fighter Command (section)

== Royal Observer Corps ==
As a direct result of its efforts during the Battle of Britain the [[Royal Observer Corps|Observer Corps]] was granted the title Royal by [[King George VI]] and became a uniformed volunteer branch of the RAF from April 1941 for the remainder of its existence as the [[Royal Observer Corps]] (ROC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard//commons/1941/apr/09/royal-observer-corps|title=Royal Observer Corps|date=9 April 1941|publisher=Hansard|access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>

The corps continued as a civilian organisation but wearing a [[Royal Air Force uniform]] and administered by Fighter Command. With their headquarters at [[RAF Bentley Priory]], the ROC remained administered by Fighter Command until 31 March 1968, when responsibility was handed over to the newly formed [[RAF Strike Command]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline196069.cfm |title=RAF Timeline 1960–1968|publisher= RAF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301193157/http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline196069.cfm |archive-date=1 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ROC was a defence warning organisation operating in the UK between 1925 and 31 December 1995, when it was stood down.  Initially established for an aircraft recognition and reporting role that lasted through both world wars, the organisation switched to a [[Cold War]] nuclear reporting role during the 1950s. The Royal Observer Corps consisted of some 10,500 volunteers.<ref>{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=uhgTAAAAYAAJ   |title=Sessional Papers|volume=20|publisher=House of Commons|year=1974|page=18|quote=The Royal Observer Corps is a uniformed civilian organisation {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} approximately 10,500...}}</ref>