British Military Aviation in 1977

13 June
Support and Training Commands are merged to form RAF Support Command.
The first Air Officer Commanding, RAF Support Command was the last Air
Officer Commanding, Training Command, Air Marshal Sir Rex Roe.

30 June
The South East Asia Treaty Organisation is disbanded by mutual consent
of the member nations.

7 July
Following the breakdown of negotiations between the United Kingdom and
Guatemala, the Guatemalan armed forces mobilised in June 1977. In response,
the British garrison is once again strengthened and a detachment of 6
British Aerospace (BAe) Harrier GR3s of No.1 Squadron fly to Belize, with
the assistance of Handley Page Victor K2 tankers. Although the threatened
Guatemalan invasion did not take place, RAF assets remained in Belize
as part of BRITFORBEL. During March 1981, the Harrier GR3 detachment was
designated No.1417 Flight and a flight of 3 Westland/Aerospatiale Puma
helicopters deployed in support of the British army garrison became No.1563
Flight.

29 July
The Silver Jubilee Review of the Royal Air Force is conducted by Queen
Elizabeth II at RAF Finningley.

31 July
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Neil Cameron, is promoted
to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

August

No.208 Squadron (Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer) becomes the first Royal Air
Force (RAF) squadron to participate a United States Air Force (USAF) Red
Flag exercise, operating from Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

1 August
Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Beetham is appointed Chief of the Air Staff.

31 August
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Neil Cameron is appointed Chief of
the Defence Staff. He relinquished this appointment on 1 September 1979.