Senior aircraftman technician

Air specialist (class 1) technician
Insignia
Country	United Kingdom
Service branch	Royal Air Force
Abbreviation	AS1(T)
NATO rank code	OR-2
Formation	2000
Next higher rank	Corporal Lance corporal (RAF Regiment only)
Next lower rank	Air Specialist (class 1)
Equivalent ranks	Private Able seaman
Related articles
History	Senior aircraftman technician (SAC Tech)

Air specialist (class 1) technician (AS1(T)), formerly senior aircraftman technician (SAC Tech or SAC(T)) until July 2022, ^[1] is a rank in the Royal Air Force, ranking between senior aircraftman and corporal and having a NATO rank code of OR-2. ^[2] Air specialist technicians are not NCOs and can not administratively discipline other personnel. ^[3]

The rank, which is self-supervisory, was introduced in 2000 to replace junior technician (although junior technicians promoted before this date retained their rank). The rank badge is a three-bladed propeller inside a circle.

From March 2005, SACs in technical trades who had attained the Operational Performance Standard were promoted to SAC technician. This rank was introduced to distinguish airmen who had finished trade specific training, although they still required supervision from a corporal or senior NCO.

Previous use of insignia

The insignia of a 3- or 4-bladed propeller surrounded by a circle was originally used after World War II to identify trade apprentices. It fell out of use after a very short period in service.^{[ citation needed ]}

See also

• RAF enlisted ranks

References

1. RAF Ranks
2. "UK Armed Forces Annual Personnel Report" (PDF). gov.uk. 2014. p. 14. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2011.