Regiment Sqns 1-533

This squadron's career can be traced back to the earliest days of RAF ground units, having originally been formed at Heliopolis as No 1 Armoured Car Company on 19 December 1921. It was transferred from Egyptian Group to Palestine Wing on 22 May 1922 and was located as follows: -

It was incorporated into the RAF Regiment as No 2701 (Armoured Car) Squadron on 3 October 1946 at Quastina (Palestine) and re-numbered No 1 (Armoured Car) Squadron on 25 February 1947. In August it moved to Ramleh, where it was reduced to 'Number only Basis' on 1 December 1947.

It re-formed at Celle on 15 March 1948 by redesignating No 4 Armoured Car Squadron, later moving to Sundern. A detached Flight was operated at Wahn until 25 January 1949 when it rejoined the squadron at Sundern. It moved to Lubeck in 1 February 1949, being transferred from No 16 Wing in No 2 Group to No 4 Wing in No 46 Group at the same time. A further move, to Luneburg, took place on 4 August 1949, remaining under the control of No 4 Wing. It moved to Wunstorf, on 8 October 1951, where it was redesignated No 1 (Field) Squadron on 15 December 1953, and then converted to the LAA role on 15 November 1955, disbanding on 30 September 1957.

It re-formed again, this time at El Adem on 1 June 1958 and moved to Butterworth on 23 July 1961, where it converted to the LAA role on 14 January 1964, later moving to Bicester and Laarbruch, from 1970, from where it was detached to take part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. With its departure from Germany, in 1999 the squadron served at St Mawgan as a Field Squadron, having given up the Armoured Car role in December 1953.

However, with the closure of St Mawgan imminent the squadron transferred to Honington in 2006.

Standards

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 11 Oct 1955, effective from 1 Apr 1955 but presented:-

1st - 8 April 1959

AM Sir Hugh Constantine

2nd - 3 November 1988

AM Sir Anthony Skingsley

3rd - xx xxx 2013

ACM Sir Stephen Dalton

Kurdistan 1922-23, Kurdistan 1930-31, Palestine 1936, Habbaniya, Iraq 1941, Egypt & Libya 1941-43, Gulf 1991: Iraq 2003-2011:

Iraq 2003:


Crew of the Armoured Car - Cerberus	Personnel of No 1 Armoured Car Company	Armoured Cars of No 1 Armoured Car Company
	Photographs above courtesy of ^©Bill Lewry from the collection of his late father, Joseph Lewry.
Setting up camp near Basrah		Rolls Royce Armoured Car of No 1 Armoured Car Company

This squadron's career can be traced back to the earliest days of RAF ground units, having originally been formed at Heliopolis as No 2 Armoured Car Company on 7 April 1922. It came under the control of HQ, Egyptian Group and initially comprised a HQ and two sections only, with one section being detached to Amman in Transjordan. On 4 January 1923 a third section was formed at Heliopolis and on 12 March 1923 the HQ and the two sections in Egypt joined the detached section in Palestine, being transferred to the control of GOC, Palestine, administered by HQ Palestine Wing.

It was incorporated into the RAF Regiment as No 2702 Squadron on 3 October 1946 and was re-numbered No 2 (Armoured Car) Squadron on 25 February 1947 at Ramleh. With the withdrawal of British forces from Palestine, control was transferred from AHQ Levant to AHQ Iraq on 21 May 1948, moving to Amman. On 20 October 1948 it moved to Habbaniya, where on 1 August 1950, its policy was revised as follows: -

On 9 November 1953 it was converted from the 'Armoured Car' role to the 'Field' role and the following day was redeployed to Sharjah, moving back to Habbaniya on 28 April 1954. It moved to Shaibah on 1 September 1954, but was transferred from AHQ Iraq to AHQ Cyprus on its move to Nicosia on 1 May 1955. It moved to Luqa on 22 April 1959 and then to Takali on 1 June 1959 before moving to Felixstowe in No 22 Group on 24 September 1960.

On 10 July 1962 it moved to Colerne in No 38 Group, where it converted to the Parachute role, later re-locating to the RAF Depot at Catterick and later Hullavington. It was detached to the Arabian Gulf during Operation Granby in 1990 and is currently serving at Honington as a Field/Parachute Squadron.

Standards

Battle Honours*

Standard originally awarded on 15 Jan 1952, but presented: -

1st - 25 November 1959

ACM Sir Hubert Patch

2nd - 5 June 1989

ACM Sir Patrick Hine

Transjordan 1924, Palestine 1936-39, Egypt & Libya 1940-43, Iraq 1941, Syria 1941, El Alamein, North Africa 1943

Iraq 2003: Iraq 2003-2011:

As with Nos 1 and 2 Squadrons, No began life as a pre-war Armoured Car Unit, No 3 Armoured Car Company on 3 November 1922 at Makina, Basrah. It operated over throughout Eastern and Southern Iraq but disbanded on 1 April 1925.

It reformed when No 2757 Squadron was re-numbered as No 3 Armoured Car Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Gutersloh, moving to Celle in October and Fassburg on 1 December. It operated a Detached Flight at Gatow until 1 February 1949 when it rejoined the squadron at Fassberg. It moved to Luneburg on 14 October 1949 and then on 8 May 1952 to Jever, where it was redesignated No 3 (Field) Squadron on 15 December 1953. On 31 May 1955 it moved to Fassberg, where it disbanded on 1 November 1955.

It re-formed on 1 January 1956 when No 168 Squadron was re-numbered at Oldenburg but it disbanded, once again on 30 September 1957. It reformed at Hullavington on 27 July 1987 and on 1 February 1988 it moved to Aldergrove, where it served as a Field Squadron. It later saw service in Iraq and Afghanistan, returning to Wittering, where it disbanded on 14 April 2015.

Standards	Battle Honours*
15 June 1996 HRH The Duke of York	Iraq 1923-25, France & Germany 1944-45 Iraq 2003-2011:

This was formed on 3 November 1922 at Baghdad under the control of HQ, Armoured Car Wing.

Formed as No 4 (Armoured Car) Squadron by re-numbering No 2777 Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Celle, it was redesignated No 1 Armoured Car Squadron on 15 March 1948.

This was formed on 3 November 1922 at Mosul under the control of HQ, Armoured Car Wing.

This was formed on 3 November 1922 at Baghdad under the control of HQ, Armoured Car Wing.

Formed as No 15 LAA Squadron by re-numbering No 2700 LAA Squadron on 8 June 1947 at Nethertown, moving to Watchet on 15 July 1947 and to Netheravon on 12 January 1948 and was placed under the control of No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment in No 38 Group. On 16 March 1951, with the disbandment of No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment, it was transferred to the operational control of RAF Watchet, to which it returned on 28 March 1950 and on 1 January 1951 was transferred to No 22 Group, Technical Training Command, but on 31 October 1951 it was transferred to Pembrey and to No 12 Group, Fighter Command. Here it joined No 21 Wing, RAF Regiment on 1 January 1952.

By 8 December 1952 it was located at Thornaby in No 12 Group but on that date moved to Innsworth in Home Command, where it disbanded on 31 December 1953 but was immediately reformed at Innsworth within No 33 (LAA) Wing as No 33/15 (LAA) Squadron. On 8 November 1955, it reverted to the title No 15 (LAA) Squadron. On 1 October 1958 it converted to the 'Field' role.

It moved to Changi in No 224 Group on 27 January 1960, where it was transferred to the direct control of HQ FEAF on 1 November 1960, and moved to Seletar on 26 October 1964, before later served Wittering and Laming. It took part in Operation Corporate in 1982 and Operation Roust between 1983 and 1985, after which it served at Honington as a Rapier Squadron, until this role was transferred to the Royal Artillery.

Standard

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 23 Apr 1974, effective from 1 Apr 1973 but presented:-

10 October 1975

ACM Sir Andrew Humphrey

Iraq 2003-2011:

Formed as a LAA Squadron at Watchet on 12 January 1948 under the control of No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment in No 38 Group, it moved to Netheravon on 28 March 1950, and later served at Upavon and Wattisham, where on the disbandment of No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment, it was transferred to Wattisham under the operational control of HQ Fighter Command.

On 1 December 1952 it moved Innsworth and was transferred to the control of HQ Home Command, where it disbanded on 31 December 1953 but was immediately reformed at Innsworth within No 33 (LAA) Wing as No 33/16 (LAA) Squadron. On 8 November 1955, it reverted to the title No 16 (LAA) Squadron. It converted to the 'Field' role on 4 September 1956.

It moved to RAF Akrotiri on 1 November 1956 and was transferred to the control of RAF Levant on 10 November, but on 21 January 1957 it returned to the UK at RAF Innsworth under the control of the RAF Record Office. On 7 September 1957 it moved to RAF Ballykelly, RAF Felixstowe on 21 August 1958, where it was transferred to No 22 Group. It moved to RAF Upwood on 23 July 1962, being transferred from Signals Command to Transport Command on 1 December 1962, serving at the RAF Regiment Depot, Catterick from 23 March 1964 before going to Khormaksar, Aden on 23 June 1964. It latterly served at Honington as a Rapier Squadron, but with the transfer of ground based air defence to the Army, No 16 Squadron disbanded on 28 September 2006.

Standard

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 23 Apr 1974, effective from 1 Apr 1973 but presented:-

26 May 1977

AM Sir Michael Beetham

Iraq 2003:

This was formed in the LAA role by converting and re-numbering No 59 (Rifle) Squadron on 1 May 1949 at Wahn, with a detachment at No 2 ARU, Eindhoven The detachment returned to rejoin the squadron at Wahn on 23 August 1949, following which the squadron moved to Celle on 12 September 1949.

It disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Celle within No 6 (LAA) Wing as No 6/17 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 17 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded there on 30 September 1957.

This was formed in the LAA role by converting and re-numbering No 61 (Rifle) Squadron on 1 May 1949 at Wahn until 12 September 1949 when it moved to Celle, where disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Celle within No 6 (LAA) Wing as No 6/18 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 18 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded there on 30 September 1957.

This was formed in the LAA role by converting and numbering No 55 (Rifle) Squadron on 1 May 1949 at Gutersloh, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Gutersloh within No 16 (LAA) Wing as No 16/19 (LAA) Squadron.

It moved to Laarbruch, on 21 March 1955, reverting to No 19 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955. Functional and administrative control was transferred from HQ, No 2 Group, to HQ, No 83 Group on 14 April 1956, and it disbanded on 1 January 1958. It re-formed at Brize Norton, but its last disbandment date is unknown.

This was formed in the LAA role by converting and re-numbering No 64 (Rifle) Squadron on 1 May 1949 at Gutersloh, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Gutersloh within No 16 (LAA) Wing as No 16/20 (LAA) Squadron

It moved to Laarbruch, on 21 March 1955, reverting to No 20 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955. Functional and administrative control was transferred from HQ, No 2 Group, to HQ, No 83 Group on 14 April 1956. It disbanded on 1 January 1958, but reformed for Operation Granby in 1991.

This was formed in the LAA role by re-numbering No 52 Squadron on 1 August 1949, and on 1 August 1950, its policy was revised as follows: -

It disbanded on 15 September 1953 but was immediately re-formed as No 21 Independent (LAA) Squadron at Amman. It moved to Khormaksar, Aden and was transferred to HQ BF Aden on 29 December 1953, returning to Amman on 18 June 1954. Functional and administrative control was transferred from RAF Amman to AHQ Iraq through RAF Amman on 8 October 1954, where it disbanded on 1 May 1955.

It immediately reformed as No 19/21 (LAA) Squadron at Habbaniya by renumbering No 19/36 Squadron, and disbanded on 1 February 1956, reforming the same day at Amman as No 19 (LAA) Squadron. It moved to Mafraq on 22 January 1957, and to Habbaniya on 31 May 1957, disbanding on 15 June 1957.

Formed at Yatesbury on 9 July 1951, and moved to Gutersloh in No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment on 8 August 1951. It moved to Fassberg on 8 November 1951, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Fassberg within No 1 (LAA) Wing as No 1/22 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 22 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955. It moved to Gutersloh on 24 August 1956, where it was reduced to a 'number-plate' basis on 30 September 1957.

Formed at Yatesbury on 16 July 1951, and moved to Celle in No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment on 13 August 1951, It moved to Fassberg on 15 November 1951, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Fassberg within No 1 (LAA) Wing as No 1/23 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 22 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955. It moved to Gutersloh on 1 February 1957, where it was reduced to a 'number-plate' basis on 30 September 1957.

Formed at Yatesbury on 30 July 1951, and moved to Uetersen in No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment on 28 August 1951, later moving to Wildenrath on 13 March 1952, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Wildenrath within No 2 (LAA) Wing as No 2/24 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 24 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Formed at Yatesbury on 4th August 1951, and moved to Uetersen in No 2 Wing, RAF Regiment on 3 September 1951, It moved to Wildenrath on 21 February 1952, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Wildenrath within No 2 (LAA) Wing as No 2/25 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 25 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanding there on 1 January 1958.

Formed at Yatesbury on 27 August 1951, it moved to Abu Sueir, Egypt in No 3 Wing, RAF Regiment on 24 September 1951, and to Deversoir on 3 November 1951. On 15 September 1953, No 26 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 5/26 Squadron as part of No 5 (LAA) Wing at Deversoir.

It moved to Habbaniya on 25 November 1954 and disbanded on 1 February 1956, but reformed the same day at RAF Mafraq as No 26 (LAA) Squadron, moving to Nicosia on 22 January 1957. On 21 January 1964 it moved to Changi in No 224 Group, and later to Amman, Tymbou, Changi, Bicester, Gutersloh and Laarbruch. It took part in Operation Granby and Desert Storm in 1990-91 and later served at Waddington as a Rapier Squadron until the Rapier air defence system was handed over to the Army. In June 2010 it took over the role of the RAF Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Operations Squadron at RAF Honington.

Standards

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 16 Aug 1977, effective from 1 Apr 1977 but presented:-

28 November 1979

AM Sir Peter Terry

Gulf 1991: Iraq 2003-2011:

Formed at Yatesbury on 3 September 1951, and moved to Abu Sueir, Egypt in No 9 Wing, RAF Regiment on 1 October 1951, On 15 September 1953, No 27 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 3/27 Squadron as part of No 3 (LAA) Wing at Abu Sueir, moving to Nicosia on 11 January 1956, where it reverted to the title No 27 (LAA) Squadron on 1 February 1956.

It moved to Akrotiri on 15 March 1956, later serving at Leeming, Akrotiri, North Luffenham and Leuchars. It later moved to Honington as the RAF element of the Joint NBC Regiment, until disbanding in October 2021.

Standard

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 16 Aug 1977, effective from 1 Apr 1977 but presented:-

4 June 1980

ACM Sir David Evans

Iraq 2003:

Formed at Yatesbury on 17 September 1951, and embarked for El Hamra in the Canal Zone as part of No 5 Wing, RAF Regiment on 21 October 1951, its destination being changed to Fayid on 26 October 1951. On 15 September 1953, No 28 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 5/28 Squadron as part of No 5 (LAA) Wing at El Hamra.

It moved to Habbaniya on 25 November 1954 and disbanded on 1 February 1956, but reformed the same day at RAF Mafraq as No 28 (LAA) Squadron, moving to Akrotiri on 22 January 1957. It moved to Nicosia on 19 August 1957, coming under the control of No 5 (LAA) Wing. It disbanded on 1 January 1964.

Formed at Yatesbury on 24 September 1951, and embarked for El Hamra in the Canal Zone as part of No 5 Wing, RAF Regiment on 21 October 1951, its destination being changed to Kabrit on 14 November 1951. On 15 September 1953, No 29 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 19/29 Squadron as part of No 19 (LAA) Wing at Kabrit.

It moved to Habbaniya in AHQ Iraq on 1 May 1955, and disbanded on 1 February 1956, but was reformed the same day as No 29 (LAA) Squadron at Amman. It moved to Mafraq on 22 January 1957, and to Habbaniya on 31 May 1957, disbanding on 15 June 1957,

Formed at Yatesbury on 8 October 1951, it moved to Luneburg before relocating to Jever on 1 April 1952 and to Laarbruch, possibly in March 1955, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Jever within No 4 (LAA) Wing as No 4/30 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 30 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, when it returned to Laarbruch, where functional and administrative control was transferred from HQ, No 2 Group, to HQ, No 83 Group on 14 April 1956. It disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Formed at Yatesbury on 8 October 1951, and moved to MEAF on 8 November, returning to Yatesbury on 21 January 1952. On 14 February 1952 it moved to Luneburg, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Wunstorf within No 7 (LAA) Wing as No 7/31 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 31 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded at on 30 September 1957.

Formed at Yatesbury on 29 October 1951, and moved to Uetersen in No 7 Wing, RAF Regiment on 27 November 1951, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Wunstorf within No 7 (LAA) Wing as No 7/32 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 32 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanding at Wunstorf on 30 September 1957.

Formed at Yatesbury on 5 November 1951, and moved to Uetersen in No 7 Wing, RAF Regiment on 4 December 1951, It later moved to Luneburg, then to Jever on 27 March 1952,where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Jever within No 4 (LAA) Wing as No 4/33 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 33 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955.

It later moved to Oldenburg, possibly in March 1955, where it disbanded on 30 September 1957.

Formed at Yatesbury on 19 November 1951, and moved to El Hamra in No 8 Wing, RAF Regiment on 18 December 1951. On 15 September 1953, No 34 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 8/34 Squadron as part of No 8 (LAA) Wing at El Hamra

It moved to Kasfareet on 1 October 1955, and Abu Sueir on 1 December 1955, where it disbanded on 1 February 1956 but immediately re-formed as No 34 Squadron as part of No 8 (LAA) Wing, moving to Nicosia on 1 April 1956, to Akrotiri on 21 November 1960 and later to Khormaksar and Mehrabad. It took part in Operation Granby in 1990 and is currently serving at Leeming as a Field Squadron.

Standards

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 16 Aug 1977, effective from 1 Apr 1977 but presented:-

1st - 4 October 1979

ACM Sir David Evans

2nd - 20 May 1999

ACM Sir Peter Squire

Gulf 1991: Iraq 2003-2011:

Iraq 2003:

Formed at Yatesbury on 26 November 1951, and moved to El Hamra in No 8 Wing, RAF Regiment on 27 December 1951. On 15 September 1953, No 35 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 8/35 Squadron as part of No 8 (LAA) Wing at El Hamra. It moved to Kasfareet on 1 October 1955 and to Abu Sueir on 1 December 1955, where it disbanded on 1 February 1956 but immediately re-formed as No 34 Squadron as part of No 8 (LAA) Wing, disbanding there on 31 March 1956.

Formed at Yatesbury on 10 December 1951, it embarked for El Hamra on 15 January 1952 being redeployed to Ismailia in No 9 Wing, RAF Regiment on 21 January 1952. On 15 September 1953, No 36 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 19/36 Squadron as part of No 19 (LAA) Wing at Kabrit, where it disbanded on 1 May 1955.

Formed at Yatesbury in December 1951, it embarked for Abu Sueir on 22 January 1952 in No 9 Wing, RAF Regiment. On 15 September 1953, No 37 Squadron was disbanded but immediately re-formed as No 3/37 Squadron as part of No 3 (LAA) Wing at Abu Sueir, moving to Nicosia on 11 January 1956, where it reverted to the title No 37 (LAA) Squadron on 1 February 1956.

It moved to Akrotiri on 15 March 1956, returning to the UK at Sealand on 9 February 1961, before moving to Upwood on 20 September 1962, being transferred from Signals Command to Transport Command on 1 December 1962, and converting to the 'Field' role on 10 May 1963. It relocated to Khormaksar on 24 June 1963, moving back to the UK at the RAF Regiment Depot, Catterick on 23 June 1964, later serving at Bruggen and latterly at Wittering as a Rapier Squadron. With the transfer of the ground based air defence role to the Army, the squadron disbanded in 2006.

Standard

Award of Standard originally announced on 16 Aug 1977, effective from 1 Apr 1977 but presented:-

26 November 1980

AM Sir Peter Terry

This was formed as a 'Rifle' squadron in No 12 Group at Chivenor on 3 October 1951 and joined No 21 Wing, RAF Regiment on 1 January 1952. It converted to the 'Field' role on 1 January 1954, remaining under the functional and administrative control of RAF Chivenor. It moved to Rudloe Manor on 15 October 1955, where it converted to the LAA role on 1 January 1956, and at the same time was transferred to Home Command under the control of No 33 (LAA) Wing. On 16 August 1956, it reverted to the 'Field' role.

It took part in Operation Musketeer in 1956, after which it returned to Rudloe Manor until 11 July 1957 when it moved to RAF Aldergrove in No 18 Group. It moved to Felixstowe on 17 May 1958 and was transferred to No 27 Group, and to Upwood on 26 July 1962, being transferred from Signals Command to Transport Command on 1 December 1962, , serving at the RAF Regiment Depot, Catterick from 23 March 1964, before disbanding in 1992

Standard

Award of Standard originally announced on 16 Aug 1977, effective from 1 Apr 1977 but presented:-

Formed by re-numbering No 2713 (Rifle) Squadron at No 1 BR & SD, Luneburg on 21 August 1947, it moved to Uetersen on 1 February 1949 and on 29 November 1949 returned to Fassberg, where it was transferred from No 85 Group to HQ BAFO on 1 May 1950, before re-locating to Celle on 15 November 1951 in No 2 Group, and was transferred to No 83 Group in 1952. It was transferred from No 83 Group to No 2 Group on 15 October 1956, and was redesignated No 51 (Field) Squadron on 15 January 1954. On 15 November 1955 it converted to the LAA role, and disbanded in September 1957.

It reformed at Catterick, on 13 July 1964, in No 33 Wing, from where it deployed to Zambia during the Rhodesian Crisis in 1965 and also to Aden and Oman. In 1969 it moved to Wittering as part of the Harrier Force and from where it deployed detachment to Northern Ireland until 1987. Further deployments took place to Salalah and Hong Kong and in October 1982, the squadron returned to Catterick, being equipped with Combat Vehicles Tracked, with a war role of supporting the RAF Germany Harrier Force. In November 1990 it was deployed to take part in Operations Granby and Desert Storm in 1990-91. Following its return it disbanded in March 1993 but reformed again on 8 May 2001 and is currently serving at Lossiemouth as a Field Squadron.

Standards

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 10 Jun 1975, effective from 1 Apr 1973 but presented:-

1st - 22 December 1977

AM P D G Terry

2nd - 9 Sep 2003

HRH The Duke of York

France & Germany 1944-45: Gulf 1991:

Iraq 2003: Iraq 2003-2011:

Formed by re-numbering No 2717 (Rifle) Squadron on 8 June 1947at Jerusalem, but following the withdrawal from Palestine was moved to RAF Shallufa, being transferred from AHQ Levant to HQ No 205 Group on 25 May 1948. On 1 December 1948 it moved to RAF Amman under the control of AHQ Iraq, changing places with No 62 (Rifle) Squadron.

It was formed by re-numbering No 2721 (Rifle) Squadron on 8 June 1947 at Ein Shemer, it disbanded on 5 February 1948.

Formed by re-numbering No 2724 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Fassburg, in No 6 Wing, but was transferred to No 4 Wing on 1 February 1949. By 1 October 1949 it was located at Gatow but on that date moved to Luneburg. It was transferred to No 2 Wing on 1 March 1952 and moved to Wildenrath on 21 May 1952, where it was redesignated No 54 (Field) Squadron on 15 February 1954. On 15 November 1955 it converted to the LAA role, and disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Re-formed at some point it disbanded again by being re-numbered No 15 Squadron on 1 August 1990.

Formed by re-numbering No 2750 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Wahn, it moved to RAF Gutersloh on 14 October 1947. On 12 August 1948 it re-located to Sundern, and on 10 January 1949 it detached a Flight to Buckeburg . It disbanded on being re-numbered and re-roled as No 19 LAA Squadron, RAF Regiment on 1 May 1949?.

Formed by re-numbering No 2770 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Gutersloh, but was located at Wunstorf when it moved to Luneburg on 4 August 1949, coming under the control of No 4 Wing. It commenced a move to the Middle East on 31 July 1950 by returning to the UK, prior to embarking on 22 August 1950. It initially settled at El Hamra until 14 January 1952 when it moved to Shallufa on 7 February 1952.

It converted from the 'Rifle' role to the 'Field' role on 14 June 1954,under the control of No 205 Group, through RAF Shallufa. On 1 November 1954 it moved to No 109 MU, RAF Abyad, where it disbanded on 14 January 1956.

Formed by re-numbering No 2786 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Blankenese, later moving to No 431 Equipment Depot, Altona before re-locating to Uetersen on 1 February 1949 and then back to No 431 Equipment Depot, Altona on 14 October 1949, moving to Fassberg on 29 November 1951, where it was redesignated No 57 (Field) Squadron on 1 January 1954. On 15 November 1955 it converted to the LAA role, and moved to Gutersloh on 15 September 1956, where it was reduced to a 'number-plate' basis on 30 September 1957.

This was formed as a Rifle squadron by re-numbering No 2788 (Rifle) Squadron on 8 June 1947 at Wali Road (Palestine), but following the withdrawal of British Forces from Palestine, it moved to RAF El Hamra on 27 April 1948 and then to Khormaksar, Aden on 3 May 1948, and on 15 August 1950, its policy was revised as follows: -

On 20 April 1954 it converted from the 'Rifle' role to the 'Field' role, still at Khormaksar, under the control of HQ, BF, Aden exercised through HQ, No 20 (Field) Wing, RAF Regiment, where it disbanded on 30 June 1957.

It re-formed at North Luffenham, serving at Laarbruch and Catterick as well as taking part in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. It disbanded at some point after this but reformed on 7 June 2010 at RAF Leuchars.

Standards	Battle Honours*
Presented xx xxx 1985 by AM Sir Michael Knight	Home Defence 1941-42, North Africa 1942-43, Italy 1943-45, Gustav Line May 1944, France 1944, South East Europe 1944-45, Gulf 1991, Afghanistan 2001-2014

Formed by re-numbering No 2798 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Wunstorf, it moved to RAF Wahn on 14 October 1947, in No 16 Wing but was transferred to No 6 Wing on 1 February 1949. A Flight was detached to No 2 ARU at Eindhoven on 19 March 1949. The squadron was disbanded by being re-numbered and re-roled as No 17 LAA Squadron on 1 May 1949.

Formed by re-numbering No 2827 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at No 431 Equipment Depot, Altona, and moved to Uetersen on 14 October 1948 and to Fassberg on 29 November 1949, where it was transferred from No 85 Group to HQ BAFO on 1 May 1950. It moved to Gutersloh on 8 November 1951, where it was redesignated No 60 (Field) Squadron on 1 February 1954 and to Laarbruch, on 21 March 1955, where it disbanded on 1 November 1955.

It re-formed on 1 January 1956 by re-numbering No 199 Squadron at Oldenburg and was disbanded on 30 September 1957.

This was formed by re-numbering No 2829 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Lubeck, but then moved to Buckeburg. On 9 November 1948 it re-located to Wahn, where it was transferred from No 4 Wing RAF Regiment to No 16 Wing, except for one flight which remained at Buckeburg until 10 January 1949 when rejoined the squadron at Wahn.

It was transferred to No 6 Wing on 1 February 1949 and disbanded by being re-numbered and re-roled as No 18 LAA Squadron, RAF Regiment on 1 May 1949.

It was formed by re-numbering No 2864 (Rifle) Squadron on 8 June 1947 at Wali Road, and following the withdrawal from Palestine was moved to RAF Amman, being transferred from AHQ Levant to AHQ Iraq. On 1 December 1948 it moved to RAF Shallufa as the Command Mobile Reserve, under the control of HQ No 205 Group, changing places with No 52 (Rifle) Squadron. It moved to El Hamra on 8 June 1949, but on 19 August 1949 was relocated as follows: -

The squadron returned to El Hamra on 22 October 1949, and on 15 August 1950, its policy was revised as follows: -

It moved to moved to Ismailia on 13 November 1951, then to Shallufa on 7 February 1952, returning to Ismailia on 28 October 1953, where it converted to the 'Field' role on 1 April 1954. On 28 April 1954 it replaced No 2 (Field) Squadron at Sharjah, being transferred to AHQ Iraq, before returning to Ismailia at some point. It moved to Khormaksar, being transferred to HQ, BF in Aden on 1 October 1954, and then to RAF El Adem on 1 February 1956.

Formed by re-numbering No 2865 (Rifle) Squadron on 21st August 1947 at Gatow and served at Fassberg, before moving to Upavon on transfer to No 38 Group on 15 December 1947, joining No 2 Wing. It moved to Middleton St George on 16 March 1951, and then to Pembrey, in No 12 Group on 21 November 1951, where it joined No 21 Wing, RAF Regiment on 1 January 1952. Its next move was to Ouston on 10 September 1952, where it converted to the 'Field' role on 1 January 1954, remaining under the functional and administrative control of RAF Ouston. On 14 April 1954 it moved to Felixstowe, being transferred to No 27 Group, where it converted to the LAA role on 1 December 1955 and also began operating as an Independent Squadron.

On 22 August 1956 it was transferred to No 61 Group and on 28 August converted to the 'Field' role. It moved to RAF Safi in Malta on 24 September 1956 but was not transferred to the control of AHQ Malta until 10 November. On 6 February 1957 it returned to Felixstowe in No 27 Group, before moving to RAF Ayios Nikoloas in Cyprus on 16 December 1957. It moved to Tengah in FEAF on 5 December 1960, where it converted to the LAA role on 1 May 1963, later serving at North Luffenham and Gutersloh.

It took part in Operation Corporate in 1982. After leaving Germany, it settled at Uxbridge as the Queen's Colour Squadron but operating as a Field Squadron, when required. With the closure of RAF Uxbridge, it moved to RAF Northolt on 1 April 2010. It has also taken part in OP TELIC - Iraq 2003 & 2007 (Basrah) and OP HERRICK - Afghanistan 2009 (Kandahar).

Standards

Battle Honours*

Award of Standard originally announced on 23 Apr 1974, effective from 1 Apr 1973 but presented:-

1st - 27 May 1976

HRH The Princess Anne

2nd - 26 Nov 2009

ACM Sir Richard Johns

Italy 1943-45, France & Germany 1945, South Atlantic 1982

Iraq 2003-2011:

Formed by re-numbering No 2897 (Rifle) Squadron on 21 August 1947 at Bad-Eilsen, later moving to Lubeck. On 1 February 1949 it moved to Sundern and was transferred from No 6 Wing, No 46 Group to No 16 Wing, No 2 Group. It was disbanded by being re-numbered and re-roled as No 20 LAA Squadron, RAF Regiment on 1 May 1949.

Formed by re-numbering No 2898 (Rifle) Squadron on 8 June 1947 at Ein Shemer, it disbanded on 5 February 1948.


Hut at RAF Padgate	Possibly 65 Sqn group photo - 11 December 1946 Richie, Herbie Hunt, Joe. Bottom Arnie, Tommy Fred Swales	Football team Ein Shemer Palestine 1947 Denis Osborne bottom 2nd right	Geordie Ratclifffs hand, Chick Johnson, Denis (ossie) Osborne & Malesh the dog Ein Shemer Palestine 1947

AC2 Denis Osborne Ein Shemer Palestine 1947	AC2 Gnr C Denis James (ossie) Osborne 65 Sqn RAF Regiment Ein Shemer Palestine 1947	Dad's mate Fred Swales 11 December 1946	Ein Shemer Palestine Denis Osborne right
All photos courtesy - Mark Osborne^©

This was formed by re-numbering No 2899 (Rifle) Squadron on 8 June 1947 at Lydda, but following the withdrawal of British Forces from Palestine, it moved to RAF El Hamra on 27 April 1948 and then to Khormaksar, Aden on 9 May 1948, where on 15 August 1950, its policy was revised as follows: -

It converted from the 'Rifle' role to the 'Field' r4ole on 17 May 1954, under the complete control of HQ BF, Aden through HQ, No 20 (Field) Wing, where it disbanded on 16 June 1957.

Re-forming at North Luffenham, it served at Bruggen and Catterick, where it again disbanded. It re-formed once again, this time at West Raynham and took part in Operations Granby and Desert Storm in 1990-91, after which it was again disbanded.

Formed at Hawarden on 16 June 1952, in No 63 Group, under the control of No 25 Wing, moving to Luneburg in 2nd TAF on 7 July in No 83 Group. On 1 May 1953 it moved to Geilenkirchen, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Geilenkirchen within No 25 (LAA) Wing as No 25/75 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 75 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Formed at Hawarden on 7th July 1952, in No 63 Group, for deployment with No 25 Wing, moving to Luneburg on 27 July 1952 in No 83 Group. On 1 May 1953 it moved to Geilenkirchen, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Geilenkirchen within No 25 (LAA) Wing as No 25/80 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 80 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Formed in No 63 Group at Hawarden on 28 July 1952, and deployed as part of No 55 Wing to Luneburg in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF on 26 August 1952 and moved to Bruggen, still in No 83 Group on 19 June 1953, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Bruggen within No 55 (LAA) Wing as No 55/85 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 85 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Formed at Hawarden in No 63 Group on 25 August 1952, and deployed as part of No 55 Wing to Luneburg in No 83 Group, 2nd TAF on 23 September 1952, 2nd TAF and moved to Bruggen, still in No 83 Group on 1 July 1953, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Bruggen within No 55 (LAA) Wing as No 55/89 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 89 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and disbanded on 1 January 1958.

Formed at Hawarden in No 63 Group on 15 September 1952, being deployed with No 38 Wing to Luneburg on 8 October 1952, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Luneburg within No 38 (LAA) Wing as No 38/100 (LAA) Squadron, but moved to Wahn on 9 May 1954, reverting to No 100 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and was reduced to a 'number-plate' basis on 31 May 1957.

Formed at Hawarden in No 63 Group on 6 October 1952, moving to RAF Luneburg in 2nd TAF on 29 October 1952, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Luneburg within No 38 (LAA) Wing as No 38/104 (LAA) Squadron, but moved to Wahn on 9 May 1954, reverting to No 104 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and was reduced to a 'number-plate' basis on 31 May 1957.

Formed at Hawarden in No 63 Group on 27 October 1952, as part of No 51 Wing, it moved to Luneburg in No 83 Group on 9 May 1953, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Luneburg within No 51 (LAA) Wing as No 51/168 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 168 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and.

It moved to Oldenburg on 9 May 1954, where it disbanded by being re-numbered No 3 Squadron on 1 January 1956.

Formed as a 'Rifle' squadron in No 21 Wing, RAF Regiment at Pembrey on 15 January 1952, in No 12 Group and then to Ouston on 10 September 1952. It converted to the 'Field' role on 1 January 1954, remaining under the functional and administrative control of RAF Ouston. On 14 April 1954 it moved to Felixstowe, being transferred to No 27 Group, where it converted to the LAA role on 1 December 1955 and also began operating as an Independent Squadron. It converted to the 'Field' role on 22 April 1958 and moved to Akrotiri, where it disbanded on 16 November 1960.

Formed at Hawarden in No 63 Group on 17 November 1952, under the functional and administrative control of HQ Home Command. It moved to Luneburg in No 83 Group on 9 May 1953, where it disbanded on 1 November 1953 but was immediately reformed at Luneburg within No 51 (LAA) Wing as No 51/199 (LAA) Squadron, reverting to No 199 (LAA) Squadron on 15 November 1955, and.

It moved to Oldenburg on 9 May 1954, where it disbanded by being re-numbered No 60 Squadron on 1 January 1956.

Formed as a 'Rifle' squadron at Catterick in No 21 Group on 12 May 1952, and moved to the St Leonard's site, RAF Sopley in No 11 Group on 1 October 1952, but was under the operational control of RAF Fighter Command. It moved to Wattisham on 3 December 1952, remaining in No 11 Group.

It converted to the 'Field' role on 1 February 1954, remaining under the functional and administrative control of RAF Wattisham, and disbanded on 29 February 1956.

Formed as a 'Rifle' squadron in No 22 Group at Hereford on 28 July 1952 under the operational and administrative control of HQ Technical Training Command. On 8 December 1952 it moved to Thornaby and was transferred to No 12 Group. It converted to the 'Field' role on 1 January 1954, remaining under the functional and administrative control of RAF Thornaby. It was transferred to No 13 Group on 15 July 1955, and disbanded on 29 February 1956.

This was formed at Uxbridge in No 22 Group from the RAF Drill Unit on 1 November 1960 and adopted the dual identity of No 63 (Field) Squadron in 1990.

The British element of this unit was formed on 1 April 1947 under the functional and administrative control of HQ, ACFE, through AHQ Malaya, to comprise of five squadrons: -

This was formed in 1947, and later moved to Kai Tak in Hong Kong until 10 June 1950 when it returned to Changi. It moved to Rawang on 11 October 1950 to relieve No 93 Sqn, RAF Regiment (Malaya). By 1 April 1952 it was located at Seletar from where it moved to Sungai Besi, and later returned to Changi, before going to Kluang on 5 January 1954, under the operational control of AHQ Malaya and functional control of AHQ Singapore.

It moved to Changi on 30 June 1954, where it came under the operational and administrative control of AHQ Singapore, but on 20 July it moved to Kai Tak, where it converted to the 'Field' role on 1 September 1955. On 1 November 1958 it moved to Tengah in No 224 Group, and disbanded on 15 October 1960.

This was formed in 1947 at the RAF Regiment (Malaya) Depot, Sembawang and on completion of training it moved to RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar. On 20 July 1949 it relocated to Changi, and on 4 June 1950 embarked for Hong Kong to relieve No 91 Squadron, RAF Regiment (Malaya). By 1 April 1952 it was located at Sungai Besi from where it moved to Seletar. At some point it moved to Bukit Darah before returning to the RAF Maintenance Base, Singapore on 1 September 1953.

On 1 March 1955 it moved to Pasangam, Kuala Selanger, where it came under the operational control of No 17 Gurkha Division and administrative control of AHQ Singapore through RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar. It returned to Seletar on 31 July 1955, where if converted to the LAA role on 15 August 1955 and was transferred to the direct control of HQ FEAF on 1 January 1958, and disbanded on 1 November 1959.

This was formed in 1947 at the RAF Regiment (Malaya) Depot, Sembawang and on completion of training it moved to Butterworth on 1 January 1949. On 21 July 1949 it moved to RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar to replace No 92 Squadron, and then to Kuala Lumper on 3 May 1950 to relieve No 94 Squadron, RAF Regiment (Malaya). By 11 October 1950 it was located at Rawang but two days later returned to the RAF Maintenance Base, Seletar. By 1 September 1953 it was located at Kuala Lumper.

It moved to Kluang on 30 June 1954, where it came under the operational and administrative control of AHQ Malaya. At some point it moved to Pasangam, Kuala Selanger from where it moved to Kuala Lumper on 17 November 1954. On 1 August 1955 it moved to Rawang, and returned to Kuala Lumper on 1 January 1956, where it converted to the 'Field' role. It relocated to Changi on 1 April 1959, where it disbanded on 1 April 1960.

This was formed in 1947 at the RAF Regiment (Malaya) Depot, Sembawang and on completion of training it moved to Kuala Lumper on 15 April 1949. It later moved to Kai Tak under AHQ Hong Kong before going to Tengah and being transferred to AHQ Malaya on 10 July 1953. It moved to Bukit Darah on 1 September 1953, by which time it had taken over the detachment of No 95 Squadron at the RAF Maintenance Base, Singapore and this detachment rejoined the squadron at Bukit Darah following the arrival of No 92 Squadron in Singapore. On 3 December 1953 it moved to Kluang and then on 5 January 1954 to Tengah, under the control of AHQ Malaya.

It moved to RAF Butterworth on 1 March 1955, where it came under the operational control of AHQ Malaya and administrative control of AHQ Malaya through RAF Butterworth, and converted to the 'Field' role on 1 September 1955, and disbanded on 15 July 1961.

This was formed on 1 January 1949 at the RAF Regiment (Malaya) Depot, Sembawang under the control of AHQ Malaya. On completion of training it moved to Tengah on 15 August 1949, until exchanging places with No 94 Squadron at Kai Tak on 10 July 1953, where it came under the functional control of AHQ Hong Kong. A detachment at the RAF Maintenance Base, Singapore was transferred to No 94 Squadron before 1 September 1953.

On 23 July 1954 it moved to Changi, until 17 November 1954 when it moved to Pasangam, Kuala Selanger, where it came under the operational control of No 17 Gurkha Division and administrative control of AHQ Singapore through RAF Kuala Lumper. It moved to RAF Tengah on 1 March 1955, where it came under the operational control of AHQ Malaya and administrative control of AHQ Malaya through RAF Tengah. It converted to the LAA role on 15 August 1955, and disbanded on 1 November 1958.

This was formed on 1 January 1956 at RAF Changi in RAF Singapore and moved to RAF Kuala Lumper in RAF Malaya (later No 224 Group) on 1 July 1957. It returned to Changi on 14 December 1957, and disbanded on 1 November 1959.

This was formed on 3 April 2006 and is composed of specially selected members from the RAF Regiment, Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment and will be based at MOD St Athan.

*Honours in Black are those the squadron has a been granted the right to emblazon on the Squadron Standard, but does not do so.

Honours in Blue are those the squadron has not been granted the right to emblazon on the Squadron Standard

Standards	Battle Honours*
?	Home Defence 1941-42, France & Germany 1944-45