No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment
Encyclopedia
No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment is a field squadron of the RAF Regiment
in the Royal Air Force
. Its mission is protection of RAF bases from ground attack. It is currently based at RAF Honington
.
" was formed at Heliopolis
in Egypt
. After undergoing many expansions and contractions No.1 Armoured Car Company was merged with No. 2701 Squadron RAF Regiment, and then on 25 Feb 1947 was re-named No. 1 (Armoured Car) Squadron RAF Regiment. The Squadron initially retained its armoured car role, but lost this in 1953 when it assumed the dismounted field squadron role. The Squadron was re-roled to a Light Anti-Aircraft unit in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was then re-roled as a light armoured squadron, equipped initially with Saracen Armoured Personnel Carriers
, and subsequently with the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (tracked)
series of vehicles, including Scorpion, Spartan, Sultan and Samson. In 1992, the RAF Regiment withdrew the CVR(T) from service and No. 1 Squadron reverted to the field role, in which it has remained since.
During the Cold War
the squadron was predominately based in Germany
. It took part in the Berlin Airlift and numerous exercises. After a number of moves it found a more permanent home at RAF Laarbruch
.At the end of 1998 the squadron was re-located to the UK, based at RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall. In the aftermath of the Cold War the Squadron has seen frequent action. It was deployed against Iraq
both in the 1991 Gulf War
and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq
. In addition it has been tasked with peacekeeping
duties in the former Yugoslavia
, including Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia, and periodic deployments to Northern Ireland and Cyprus, and to Kuwait
in support of British forces operating there. The Squadron took part in Exercise SAIF SAREEA
in 2001 and elements were quickly re-tasked for operations in Afghanistan during Operation VERITAS
. In 2003, No. 1 Squadron took part in the invasion of Iraq with 16 Air Assault Brigade and subsequently with 3 Commando Brigade
. It was awarded the battle honour Iraq 2003 for its contribution. The Squadron has returned to Iraq on three occasions since 2003, defending the Contingency Operating Base at Basra
.
SAC attached to No.1 Squadron were killed in an insurgent Indirect fire
attack on their base in Iraq. On 7 August 2007 a Leading Aircraftsman was killed during a fire fight with Iraqi insurgents. This last action resulted in the award of the Military Cross
to the patrol commander. The Officer Commanding, Sqn Ldr Sutton
was awarded the OBE.
During No 1. Squadron's last tour (2010) defending Bastion Air base (Helmand Provence, Afghanistan) the Sqn lost two gunners Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths who was involved in a Road Traffic accident on patrol whilst serving with B flight. Senior Aircraftman Scott Hughes ( C flight ) was killed on return from duty when he was hit by a British Army Power boat in cyprus whilst swimming in a recreation area during decompression (a period of rest and relaxation which is thought to help troops relax before returning home).
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Its mission is protection of RAF bases from ground attack. It is currently based at RAF Honington
RAF Honington
RAF Honington is a Royal Air Force station located south of Thetford near Ixworth in Suffolk, England. Although used as a bomber station during the Second World War, RAF Honington is now the RAF Regiment depot and home to the Joint CBRN Regiment.-RAF use:...
.
History
It is a unit with a long history having its origin on 22 December 1921, when "Number 1 Armoured Car Company RAFNumber 1 Armoured Car Company RAF
The Number 1 Armoured Car Company RAF was a military unit of the Britain's Royal Air Force which played a role in the defense of RAF Habbaniya during World War II.- Creation :...
" was formed at Heliopolis
Heliopolis (Cairo Suburb)
Modern Heliopolis is a district in Cairo, Egypt. The city was established in 1905 by the Heliopolis Oasis Company, headed by the Belgian industrialist Édouard Louis Joseph, Baron Empain, as well as Boghos Nubar, son of the Egyptian Prime Minister Nubar Pasha.-History:The Baron Empain, a well known...
in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
. After undergoing many expansions and contractions No.1 Armoured Car Company was merged with No. 2701 Squadron RAF Regiment, and then on 25 Feb 1947 was re-named No. 1 (Armoured Car) Squadron RAF Regiment. The Squadron initially retained its armoured car role, but lost this in 1953 when it assumed the dismounted field squadron role. The Squadron was re-roled to a Light Anti-Aircraft unit in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was then re-roled as a light armoured squadron, equipped initially with Saracen Armoured Personnel Carriers
Alvis Saracen
The FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British army. It became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland.-History:...
, and subsequently with the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (tracked)
Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)
The Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance —or CVR—is a family of armoured fighting vehicles s in service with the British Army and others throughout the world...
series of vehicles, including Scorpion, Spartan, Sultan and Samson. In 1992, the RAF Regiment withdrew the CVR(T) from service and No. 1 Squadron reverted to the field role, in which it has remained since.
During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
the squadron was predominately based in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. It took part in the Berlin Airlift and numerous exercises. After a number of moves it found a more permanent home at RAF Laarbruch
RAF Laarbruch
The former Royal Air Force Station Laarbruch, more commonly known as RAF Laarbruch ICAO EDUL was a Royal Air Force station, a military airbase, located in Germany on its border with the Netherlands...
.At the end of 1998 the squadron was re-located to the UK, based at RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall. In the aftermath of the Cold War the Squadron has seen frequent action. It was deployed against Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
both in the 1991 Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
and in the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
. In addition it has been tasked with peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
duties in the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, including Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia, and periodic deployments to Northern Ireland and Cyprus, and to Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
in support of British forces operating there. The Squadron took part in Exercise SAIF SAREEA
Saif Sareea II
Exercise Saif Sareea II, also known as "Operation Swift Sword II", was a major military exercise in September and October 2001 involving the military of the United Kingdom and Oman. It was the largest single deployment of UK forces since the Gulf War...
in 2001 and elements were quickly re-tasked for operations in Afghanistan during Operation VERITAS
Operation Veritas
Operation Veritas was the codename used for British military operations against the Taliban government of Afghanistan in 2001. British forces played a supporting role to the American Operation Enduring Freedom. In addition, the British contribution was an important part of the overall forces deployed...
. In 2003, No. 1 Squadron took part in the invasion of Iraq with 16 Air Assault Brigade and subsequently with 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
. It was awarded the battle honour Iraq 2003 for its contribution. The Squadron has returned to Iraq on three occasions since 2003, defending the Contingency Operating Base at Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
.
Casualties
On the 19th July 2007, two Senior Aircraftsmen from No.1 Squadron and one 504 Sqn. RAuxAFRoyal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
SAC attached to No.1 Squadron were killed in an insurgent Indirect fire
Indirect fire
Indirect fire means aiming and firing a projectile in a high trajectory without relying on a direct line of sight between the gun and its target, as in the case of direct fire...
attack on their base in Iraq. On 7 August 2007 a Leading Aircraftsman was killed during a fire fight with Iraqi insurgents. This last action resulted in the award of the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
to the patrol commander. The Officer Commanding, Sqn Ldr Sutton
Jason Sutton
Jason Paul Sutton OBE is a Royal Air Force Regiment officer who was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his actions whilst serving in Iraq in 2007....
was awarded the OBE.
During No 1. Squadron's last tour (2010) defending Bastion Air base (Helmand Provence, Afghanistan) the Sqn lost two gunners Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths who was involved in a Road Traffic accident on patrol whilst serving with B flight. Senior Aircraftman Scott Hughes ( C flight ) was killed on return from duty when he was hit by a British Army Power boat in cyprus whilst swimming in a recreation area during decompression (a period of rest and relaxation which is thought to help troops relax before returning home).