On 1 April 2006 Expeditionary Air Wings (EAWs) were formed at nine of the RAF's Main Operating Bases. Each EAW has its own identity and is led by the Station Commander, supported by their Station management team. The deployable elements of the station structures form the core of each EAW, reinforced by elements of the Air Combat Service Support Units (ACSSUs). Flying and Force Protection force elements are attached to meet the requirements of each operation. EAWs enable the RAF to train as cohesive air power units which are prepared and capable of transitioning quickly from peacetime structures and deploying swiftly on operations in tailored packages.
As of 2017, the wing was located at RAF Al Udeid,[18] providing support to Headquarters 83 EAG and Headquarters Joint Force Communication and Information Systems (Middle East).[19]
Previously as a Middle Eastern EAW it comprised "A" Flight, at a not-publicly known location [likely to be Al Udeid, Qatar], flying Lockheed Hercules C4;[20] "B" Flight (unknown location [likely to be Mussanah, Oman], reformed in 2013 as unknown)[19] flying the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III; and "C" Flight (disbanded March 2015)[19] at Bahrain International Airport[21] flying a mix of BAe125s and BAe146s from No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron.
During the Second World War, No. 901 Wing formed part of No. 224 Group RAF, Third Tactical Air Force. It was formed on 1 October 1944 at Chiringa in British India. At the time of its formation, 901 Wing consisted of two Squadrons: 177 and 211 Squadron, both of which flew Bristol Beaufighter twin-engined fighter-bombers. The Wing was renamed No 901 (Tactical) Wing with effect from 1 December 1944. The Wing continued to operate up to four squadrons equipped with Beaufighters and de Havilland Mosquitoes during 1944-45.[22]
1 x Nimrod R1 signals intelligence aircraft from No 51 Squadron[39] – operational requirements forced the Royal Air Force to deploy one of its two remaining Nimrod R1s two weeks before they were due to be withdrawn.[40]
