British Military Aviation in 1973

March
During Operation Khana Cascade, Lockheed Hercules of the Royal Air Force (RAF) mount an emergency food airdrop to famine-stricken villages in remote areas of West Nepal.

17 May
The 'Second Cod War': Royal Air Force British Aerospace (BAe) Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft begin surveillance flights to establish the positions of Icelandic Government gunboats and United Kingdom trawlers within the 50 mile zone proclaimed by the Icelandic Government. In an effort to conserve Nimrod flying hours, a small number of fishery protection sorties were also flown by Bristol Britannia transport aircraft from 20 July 1973.

20 May
The Icelandic Government announce that British military aircraft would no longer be permitted to use Icelandic airfields.

31 August
RAF Maintenance Command is disbanded, with the functions of the command absorbed by RAF Support Command, which formed on the following day.

1 September
Support Command is formed. The new command absorbed the functions and formations of the former RAF Maintenance Command, together with a number of medical units previously the responsibility of Strike and Training Commands. The first Air Officer Commanding, Support Command was the last Air Officer Commanding, Maintenance Command, Air Vice Marshal (acting Air Marshal) R.E.W. Harland.

3 October
Following the start of talks between the United Kingdom and Icelandic Governments aimed at achieving a settlement to their ongoing dispute, the last fishery protection sortie of the 'Second Cod War' is flown by the Royal Air Force on this date.

21 November
With the conclusion of a diplomatic settlement to the 'Second Cod War', the Icelandic Government lifts its ban on Royal Air Force aircraft using Icelandic airfields.