Group captain (Gp Capt in the RAF, IAF and PAF, GPCAPT in the RNZAF and RAAF; formerly sometimes G/C in all services) is a senior commissioned rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. It ranks above wing commander and immediately below air commodore. The name of the rank is the complete phrase, and is never shortened to "captain".