| Balloon Command | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1 November 1938–February 1945 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Mottos | Vi Et Ictu (Latin: By Force and Impact). |
| Engagements | World War II |
Balloon Command was the Royal Air Force command which was responsible for controlling all the United Kingdom-based barrage balloon units during the Second World War.
Prior to the establishment of Balloon Command, a balloon group was brought into being in 1937. It was known as No. 30 (Balloon Barrage) Group and was commanded by Air Commodore John Hearson.
Before the establishment of Balloon Command No. 30 (Balloon) Group administered ten squadrons in four Balloon Centres. The centres included:
Balloon Command was formed on 1 November 1938 at RAF Stanmore Park in Middlesex. It consisted of a headquarters and several groups. All Balloon Squadrons numbered 901 to 947 were formed within the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) prior to the outbreak of war in September 1939, thereafter, the remainder numbered 948 to 999 were RAF Squadrons.
Balloon Command was disbanded on 5th February 1945.
During World War II, the command had the following organization:
The command consisted of five groups which were in turn subdivided into balloon centres (equivalent to wings of heavier-than-air aircraft). The organization was as follows:
The dates indicated give the periods for which each group existed as part of Balloon Command. No. 30 and 31 groups also existed in World War I as part of different formations.
The balloon centres in turn consisted of balloon squadrons which were numbered from 900 to 994.
The following officers were in command:
