The specialisation has around 1,200 personnel of all ranks posted to operational air stations, HQs and other establishments of the British Armed Forces, both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Much of this early training was very simplistic and did little more than introduce those to be employed in intelligence duties to the structure of the secretive organisation and where sources came from.

These were short courses of seven days' duration giving a broad picture of intelligence in Commands, Groups and Stations.

The site was set up as Royal Air Force Station Highgate around grounds and outbuildings of the Caen Wood estate.

The majority of the instruction was given by visiting specialists (from Air Ministry, MI-6, MI-9, Central Interpretation Unit Medmenham and Station "X" at Bletchley Park.

The badge consisted of a Sphinx, denoting wisdom, backed by a sun in splendour, depicting elucidation, with the motto Praemonitus Praemunitus which translates as "Forewarned is Forearmed".

During the period from November 1939 to September 1945, 7,086 Officers of the British Services (including dominion and Allied Forces attached to the RAF) attended over 372 courses.

In late 1944, the school was hit twice by German V-1 flying bombs causing damage to the buildings and injuring a number of staff.

The role of Squadron or Station Intelligence Officer was filled by members of the Administrative Branch as a sub-specialisation.

They required more information and warning on the potential enemies around the world in order to maintain the diminishing RAF's ability to react.

[6] On 16 August 2024, the UK's first Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) satellite, named Tyche, was launched.

Entrants to the branch are initially trained as general intelligence analysts and can later sub-specialise in one of a number of trades.