British Military Aviation in 1958

January
The Royal Air Force complete a photographic survey of Aden Colony and Protectorate covering 112,000 square miles on behalf of the Colonial Office and Directorate of Military Survey. Gloster Meteor, English Electric Canberra and Vickers Valiant photographic reconnaissance aircraft were used.

1 January
Air Chief Marshal Sir Dermot Boyle, the Chief of the Air Staff, is promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

22 February
An agreement is concluded between the United Kingdom and the United States with regard to the installation of 60 Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles in eastern Britain for a 5-year periodUnder the terms of the agreement, the USA was to furnish the missiles and their warheads, while the United Kingdom was to provide the operating sites and associated installations.

The missiles were to be operated and maintained by Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel and launching the missiles was to be via a 'dual key' system involving RAF and United States Air Force (USAF) officers.

April - May
Operation Quick Flight: in light of the worsening relationship between the United Kingdom and Guatemala with regard to the status of British Honduras, a Royal Visit is conducted by Princess Margaret to demonstrate the United Kingdom's commitment to preserve the integrity of the Crown Colony. The Vickers Viscount carrying Princess Margaret was escorted by two armed Canberra B(I)8 interdictors of No.59 Squadron, with two Canberra PR9s of No.58 Squadron acting as navigation leaders.

1 April
The command structure in the Middle East is once again reformed:

AHQ Levant is disbanded, functional and administrative control of the units that reported to that AHQ are transferred to Headquarters, Middle East Air Force (MEAF).
A separate command is established to control RAF units in the Arabian Peninsula. Although this retained the title Headquarters, British Forces Arabian Peninsula (BFAP), this Headquarters no longer reported to Headquarters, MEAF but became directly responsible to London.

Thus, the changes made on this date rationalised the division of command between the Mediterranean and Gulf regions by establishing two separate Commands reporting independently to the Air Ministry - MEAF and BFAP.

9 April
The two-man crew of a Canberra bomber which explodes over Derbyshire make the highest recorded, emergency escape from an aircraft at 17,070 metres (56,000 feet)

5 May
The English Electric Canberra squadrons of the Royal Air Force's 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany acquire a nuclear capability.

14-20 May
United Stated Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command participate in the RAF Bomber Command bombing competition for the first time. 6 Boeing B52 Stratofortress aircraft and crews of the 92nd Bomb Wing were detached to RAF Brize Norton for the competition. The detachment won 5 of the 6 awards for which it was eligible.

16 July
Following the overthrow and assassination of King Feisal of Iraq, the United Kingdom received an appeal for assistance from HM King Hussain of Jordan. In response, the United Kingdom mounted Operation Fortitude. 16 Parachute Brigade Group was flown from Cyprus to Jordan by the Royal Air Force and air support was provided by the deployment of No.208 Squadron (Hawker Hunter F6) to Amman. British forces were withdrawn by 2 November 1958.

1 September
The Royal Air Force's first Thor Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile squadron, No.77 (SM) Squadron, RAF Bomber Command was formed at RAF Feltwell.

19 October
The Church of St. Clement Danes on the Strand in London is reconsecrated as the Church of the Royal Air Force in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.

3 November
Headquarters, Royal Air Force (RAF) Signals Command is formed at RAF Medmenham from Headquarters, No.90 Signals Group. The first Air Officer Commanding was Air Vice Marshal L. Dalton-Morris.