No. 16 Squadron RAF

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Coordinates: 53°01′39″N 0°28′40″W / 53.02743°N 0.47773°W / 53.02743; -0.47773
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53°01′39″N 0°28′40″W / 53.02743°N 0.47773°W / 53.02743; -0.47773

No. 16 Squadron RAF
Latin for 'Hidden things are revealed')[2]
Battle honours * Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Insignia
Squadron badge heraldryTwo keys in
Grob Tutor T1

Number 16 Squadron Royal Air Force, nicknamed 'the Saints', is a

airbase in Cambridgeshire, England.[3]

It originally formed as a

bomber squadron. Equipped with the Tornado GR1 from 1984, the squadron took part in the Gulf War in 1990. It was again disbanded in September 1991, before reforming in November 1991 as the operational conversion unit (OCU) for the Jaguar. With the Jaguar's imminent withdrawal from service, the squadron disbanded once more in 2005
. No. 16 Squadron reformed again and took on its current role on 1 October 2008; 15 years ago (2008-10-01).

History

Early years

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c
reconnaissance aircraft demonstrates a C type aerial reconnaissance camera fixed to the side of the fuselage, 1916.

The

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c on offensive patrol and tactical reconnaissance duties.[7] Disbandment occurred on New Year's Eve 1919.[8]

In September 1915, Duncan Grinnell-Milne joined the squadron as a junior pilot, and later (1933) published an account of his time in the squadron. His portrait of Dowding (who when the book was originally published had not then attained his later fame) is unflattering.[4]

The squadron was reformed at

Audax in December 1933.[8]

Second World War

North American Mustang I AG346, as used by 16 Squadron in 1944.

In May 1938, the Westland Lysander arrived,[9] and the Squadron continued in its tactical role in wartime France from April 1940.[10] In May 1940, it returned to England and conducted roving sea patrols searching for both downed aircrew and enemy forces.[11]

From April

Allied landings.[12]

Cold War (1946–1991)

No. 16 Squadron English Electric Canberra B(I)8 XM275 in 1972 wearing shark mouth nose art.

No. 16 Squadron was disbanded at

RAF Fassberg the same day, and took the 24 cylinder H-engined Hawker Tempest Mk.V on charge, until converting to the radial-engined Mk.II on 7 June 1946. On 7 December 1948; 75 years ago (1948-12-07), the squadron took delivery of its first jet engined aircraft, the de Havilland Vampire FB.5, which subsequently gave way to the de Havilland Venom FB.1 in November 1954 until disbandment at Celle once more on 1 June 1957; 66 years ago (1957-06-01).[8]

Buccaneer S.2B XW526 of No. 16 Squadron in 1977 (this aircraft was lost over West Germany in July 1979.)

As East-West relations cooled, the Squadron reformed at

nuclear bomb.[8]

The Canberra gave way to the Buccaneer S.2B on 16 October 1972; 51 years ago (1972-10-16). The squadron's twelve Buccaneers were equipped with a variety of conventional weapons and eighteen British WE.177 nuclear bombs.[13] Although Buccaneers could carry two WE.177 weapons, after taking into account attrition in the conventional phase of a high-intensity European war, and after withholding some aircraft in reserve, RAF planners expected that squadron strength remaining would still be sufficient to deliver the nuclear weapons stockpile. The Buccaneer distinguished itself in many bombing exercises; among its victories included the winning of the Salmond Trophy in 1978 and 1979.[14]

The squadron briefly expanded in 1983-1984, absorbing some aircraft and personnel from its sister 15 Squadron which had converted to the Panavia Tornado GR1. 16 Squadron followed in late 1984 following the 'designate' process where a new 16 Squadron 'formed up' at RAF Honington, before moving to Laarbruch and assuming the squadron standard from the Buccaneer unit which had continued to operate throughout. Despite the change of aircraft, the squadron's role remained unchanged in countering a Soviet threat in Europe with conventional weapons and eighteen WE.177 nuclear bombs. As with the Buccaneer, there was a ratio of 1.5 weapons per aircraft.[15]

Letter sent to 16/20 Squadron groundcrews upon return from Tabuk.

Ahead of

airbase. No. 16 was the lead squadron in the deployment, with No. 20 and crews from other Tornado GR1 squadrons. The 'Tabuk Force' used JP233s and 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) bombs on low-level sorties against Iraqi airfields and other targets. Some of the Squadron's aircraft later formed a TIALD flight that conducted accurate medium-level bombing.[16]

Following hostilities, the Squadron disbanded on 11 September 1991; 32 years ago (1991-09-11).[17]

SEPECAT Jaguar (1991–2005)

SEPECAT Jaguar GR1A XX116 of No. 16(R) Squadron in a commemorative livery, displaying 'the Saint' on its tail fin, 1995.

On 1 November 1991; 32 years ago (1991-11-01), the Squadron reformed at

SACEUR for that purpose.[18][19][20][21]

Although a non-operational squadron, its pilots were still involved in

airbase, joining numbers 6, 41, and 54 squadrons.[8]

In December 2003, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced with the Delivering Security in a Changing World defence review, RAF Coltishall would close in 2007, and the recently upgraded Jaguar fleet would be retired early.[22] This led to the disbandment of No. 16 Squadron on 11 March 2005; 19 years ago (2005-03-11) as the Jaguar approached retirement.[23] The Squadron Standard[24] was laid up in Notre-Dame Cathedral Saint-Omer, France on 20 March 2005.[25]

Elementary flying training (2008–present)

On 1 October 2008; 15 years ago (2008-10-01), the Squadron was reformed at

father was also taught to fly at RAF Cranwell in 1971.[33]

In the first half of 2015, No. 16(R) Squadron, along with No. 115(R) Squadron relocated to RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire, which saw flying return to the base for the first time since 2010.[34]

Aircraft operated

Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX painted in the colours of No. 16 Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force.
Grob Tutor T1
G-BYWB, 2009.

Aircraft operated included:

Aircraft operate by No. 16 Squadron RAF
date from date to
manufacturer
 aircraft model
February 1915 March 1915
Royal Aircraft Factory
 R.E.5
February 1915 March 1915 Vickers
F.B.5
February 1915 March 1915 Blériot
XI
February 1915 May 1915 Martinsyde S.1
March 1915 May 1915 Voisin III
March 1915 May 1917
Royal Aircraft Factory
B.E.2c
May 1915 November 1917 Farman Aviation Works
S.11
March 1915 December 1919
Royal Aircraft Factory
 R.E.8
1924 1931 Bristol Aeroplane Company F.2 Fighter
1931 1934 Armstrong Whitworth Atlas
1934 1938 Hawker Audax
1938 1942 Westland Lysander
1942 1944 North American Aviation Mustang
1944 1946 Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XI
1946 1948 Hawker Tempest V
1948 1948 Hawker Tempest II
1948 1954 de Havilland Vampire FB.5
1954 1957 de Havilland Venom FB.1
1958 1972 English Electric Canberra B(I).8
1972 1984 Blackburn Buccaneer S.2B
1984 1991
Panavia
 Tornado GR1
1991 2005 SEPECAT Jaguar GR1, GR3, T2, & T4
2008 present
Grob
Tutor T1

Commanding officers

No. 16 Squadron's 'Saint' logo. The nickname stems from the original formation at Saint Omer in France. In the past, the logo has been painted onto No. 16 Squadron aircraft and worn as a badge on the flying suits. The badge is presented to student pilots after their first solo sortie.

Commanding officers included:

Officer commanding, No. 16 Squadron RFC / RAF
date from date to rank name
8 February 1915 23 July 1915 Major F V Holt[35]
23 July 1915 January 1916 Major
H C T Dowding[36]
January 1916 5 August 1916 Major D W Powell[37]
5 August 1916 16 June 1917 Major P C Maltby[38]
16 June 1918 June 1918 Major C F A Portal,[39] DSO and Bar, MC
June 1918 1919 Major A W C V Parr
1924 1925 Squadron leader J O Archer,
CBE
1925 1928 Squadron leader W A Coryton,[40] MVO
1928 1931 Squadron leader D O Mulholland, AFC
1931 1933 Squadron leader A R Churchman,[41] DFC
1933 1934 Squadron leader J R I Scrambler, AFC
1934 1936 Squadron leader R P Musgrave-Whitman,
OBE, MC
1936 1938 Squadron leader T Humble
1938 1939 Squadron leader R E S Skelton
1940 1940 Wing commander T Humble
1940 1941 Wing commander R C Hancock
1941 1942 Wing commander P W Stansfeld
1942 1942 Wing commander A F Pallot
1942 1943 Wing commander J R Davenport
1943 1943 Wing commander R I M Bowen, DFC
1943 1943 Squadron leader Mackie
1943 1944 Squadron leader E M Goodale, DSO
1944 1945 Squadron leader A N Davis, DFC
1945 1946 Squadron leader A S Baker, DFC
1946 1948 Squadron leader D C Usher, DFC, DFM
1948 1948 Squadron leader R E Mooney
1948 1949 Squadron leader L A Malins, DSO, DFC
1949 1951 Squadron leader L H Lambert, DFC, AFC
1951 1952 Squadron leader J E J Sing, DFC
1952 1952 Squadron leader R H Benwell
1952 1954 Squadron leader R U P De Burgh
1954 1956 Squadron leader G G G Walkington
1956 1956 Squadron leader C E Keay
1956 1958 Flight lieutenant H E Clements
1958 1960 Wing commander J R Forsythe,[42] DFC
1960 1963 Wing commander J E Holland, DFC
1963 1964 Wing commander J V Horwood
1964 1966 Wing commander A L Bennett
1966 1968 Wing commander J C Newby
1968 1970 Wing commander L C Swalwell
1970 1973 Wing commander K J Appleboom
1973 1975 Wing commander R A Edwards
1975 1977 Wing commander W I C Stoker
1977 1980 Wing commander D Cousins, AFC
1980 1983 Wing commander P C Norriss,
KBE
1983 1984 Wing commander E R Cox
1984 1986 Wing commander R H Goodall, AFC
1986 1988 Wing commander R F R Carr
1988 1991 Wing commander I Travers Smith, DSO[43]
1991 1992 Wing commander N C Rusling
1992 1995 Wing commander J W White,
CBE
1995 1997 Wing commander B W Newby, AFC
1997 2000 Wing commander A J Sudlow,
MBE
2000 2002 Wing commander P Allan
2002 2005 Wing commander G Stockill
2008 2009 Squadron leader I S Smith[44]
2009 2013 Squadron leader S J Foote
2013 2015 Squadron leader F C J Parkinson
2015 2017 Squadron leader C A Melen, CSM
2017 present Squadron leader M Pickles

Stations

Stations included:

Stations and bases, No. 16 Squadron RFC / RAF
date from date to location notes
10 February 1915 5 March 1915 Saint-Omer initial formation
6 March 1915 31 May 1915 La Gorgue detachment to Aire
Battle of Neuve Chapelle began 10 March 1915
1 June 1915 17 July 1915 Choques
18 July 1915 11 December 1915 Merville Battle of Loos between 25 and 28 September 1915
12 December 1915 30 August 1916 La Gorgue
31 August 1916 24 May 1917
Bruay
 Battle of the Somme between 1 July and 18 November 1916
25 May 1917 20 October 1918
Camblain-l'Abbe
21 October 1918 24 October 1918 La Brayelle
25 October 1918 13 February 1918 Auchy
14 February 1918 31 December 1918 Fowlmere disbanded following cessation of hostilities
1 April 1924 16 February 1940 Old Sarum reformed as Army co-operation squadron
1938 - first squadron to operate the Lysander
17 February 1940 12 April 1940 Hawkinge
13 April 1940 13 April 1940 Amiens
14 April 1940 18 May 1940 Bertangles Battle of France commenced 10 May 1940
19 May 1940 2 June 1940 Lympne Dunkirk evacuation between 26 May and 4 June 1940
3 June 1940 28 June 1940 Redhill first RAF squadron to operate there
29 June 1940 2 August 1940
Cambridge
3 August 1940 14 August 1940 Okehampton detachment to Cambridge
15 August 1940 3 June 1941 Western Zoyland Detachments to Okehampton, Roborough, RAF Tilshead, St Just, and Bolt Head.
Battle of Britain occurred between 10 July and 31 October 1940.
4 June 1941 5 June 1941 Okehampton
6 June 1941 8 September 1941 Western Zoyland detachments to
Lee-on-Solent and RAF Tilshead
9 September 1941 10 September 1941 Okehampton
11 September 1941 24 September 1941 Western Zoyland
25 September 1941 2 October 1941 Thruxton
3 October 1941 22 November 1941 Western Zoyland detachment to
Farnborough
23 November 1941 26 November 1941 Lympne
27 November 1941 31 December 1942 Western Zoyland detachment to Okehampton
1 January 1943 25 February 1943 Andover
26 February 1943 12 March 1943
Ford
, Wiltshire
13 March 1943 5 April 1943 Andover
6 April 1943 8 April 1943 Western Zoyland
9 April 1943 15 May 1943 Andover
16 May 1943 21 May 1943 Western Zoyland
22 May 1943 31 May 1943 Andover
1 June 1943 28 June 1943
Middle Wallop
29 June 1943 15 April 1944 Hartford Bridge operated in Strategic Reconnaissance Wing of the
2nd Tactical Air Force
16 April 1944 19 September 1945 Northolt
D-Day
on 6 June 1944, based several ALGs as part of 2TAF.
Disbanded following cessation of hostilities.
19 September 1945 1 April 1946
Celle
 reformed and disbanded; renumbered from 268 Squadron
1 April 1946 31 May 1946
Fassberg
 reformed from 56 Squadron
1 June 1946 11 June 1946 Manston
12 June 1946 20 June 1946
Fassberg
21 June 1946 13 July 1946 Sylt
14 July 1946 4 September 1946
Fassberg
5 September 1946 15 September 1946 Manston
16 September 1946 3 February 1947
Fassberg
4 February 1947 20 March 1947 Gatow
21 March 1947 7 May 1947
Fassberg
8 May 1947 19 May 1947 Ahlhorn
20 May 1947 12 July 1947
Fassberg
13 July 1947 11 August 1947
Zeltweg
12 August 1947 5 October 1947
Fassberg
6 October 1947 16 October 1947
Middle Wallop
17 October 1947 2 November 1947
Fassberg
3 November 1947 23 November 1947 Lübeck
24 November 1947 31 November 1947
Fassberg
1 December 1947 5 January 1948 Gütersloh
6 January 1948 1 February 1948 Gatow
2 February 1948 13 July 1948 Gütersloh
Berlin Airlift
begins on 24 June 1948
14 July 1948 6 August 1948 Lübeck
7 August 1948 1 November 1950 Gütersloh Berlin Airlift ends 11 May 1949
2 November 1950 1 June 1957
Celle
 disbanded
1 March 1958 6 June 1972 Laarbruch Cuban Missile Crisis between 8 and 28 October 1962
8 January 1973 29 February 1984 Laarbruch
1 Mar 1984 11 Sep 1991 Laarbruch squadron took part in Operation GRANBY
1 November 1991 20 July 2000 Lossiemouth became a Reserve squadron as Jaguar OCU
21 July 2000 11 March 2005 Coltishall Coltishall, the last surviving operational RAF base involved in the
Battle of Britain, closed on 30 November 2006
1 October 2008 16 May 2015 Cranwell elementary flying training
16 May 2015 present Wittering elementary flying training

See also

References

  1. ^ "16 Squadron at RAF Wittering graduates newly qualified pilots". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 10 October 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  2. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X
    .
  3. ^ "Former Royal Navy pilot becomes instructor at RAF Wittering". PeterboroughToday.co.uk. Peterborough Today. 13 February 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b Wind in the Wires, by Duncan Grinnell-Milne. London 1933. Revised by the author and republished by Doubleday, New York 1968.
  5. ^ "Beaupré-sur-la-Lys (Abbey)". Cister.net. European Charter of the Cistercian Abbeys and Sites. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  6. ^ The squadron has been known as the 'Saints' due to its formation at Saint Omer, the unofficial stickman logo from the novels and TV series was subsequently adopted in the 1960s. This logo could be found on many 16 Squadron aircraft, and as badges worn on the right arm of flying suits.
  7. ^ "From the diary of Capt W T L Allcock RFC 1915-17". WTLA.Airwar1.org.uk. Airwar1. 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "No 16 - 20 Squadron Histories". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  9. ^ "Westland Lysander". HistoryOfWar.org. J Rickard. 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  10. ^ "16(AC) Sqn activities, May to Jun 1940". Traces of World War 2 website. Bart FM Droog. 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  11. ^ "16 Sqn during 2nd World War". HistoryOfWar.org. J Rickard. 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  12. ^ "Gp Capt P W Stansfield's account of D-Day". DDayMuseum.co.uk. Memories of D-Day, Portsmouth City Council. 2009. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  13. ^ "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1973". Nuclear-Weapons.info.
  14. ^ "1979". sites.Google.com. RAF Laarbruch. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  15. ^ "RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1984". Nuclear-Weapons.info.
  16. ^ "RAF aircraft deployed during Op GRANBY". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence. 2004. Archived from the original on 27 October 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  17. ^ "No. 16 Squadron". NationalColdWarExhibition.org. National Cold War Exhibition. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Weapon overview". Nuclear-Weapons.info.
  19. ^ "RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1992". Nuclear-Weapons.info.
  20. ^ "RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1993". Nuclear-Weapons.info.
  21. ^ "RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1994". Nuclear-Weapons.info.
  22. ^ "16(R) and 54(F) Squadrons stood down". Target Aviation Photography website. Targeta. 2004. Archived from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  23. ^ "Come in Numbers 16 and 54, your time is up". AirsceneUK.org.uk. Airscene UK. 2004. Archived from the original on 16 October 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  24. ^ "RAF Squadron Standards". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence. 2009. Archived from the original on 8 October 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  25. ^ "Saint Omer Aerodrome". WebMatters.net. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  26. ^ "EFT Squadrons". RAF.MoD.uk. RAF Cranwell, Ministry of Defence. 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  27. ^ "RAF Flying Training". RAF.MoD.uk. No. 22 Group RAF, Ministry of Defence. 2009. Archived from the original on 17 May 2009. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  28. ^ "Brief history of JEFTS". RAFChurchFenton.org.uk. I Herbert, RAF Church Fenton. 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  29. ^ "Letter regarding the Marston Report". Bris.ac.uk. Bristol MEC, University of Bristol. 2005. Retrieved 17 May 2009 – via Google.
  30. ^ "'Sharp eyes' William's first solo flight". News.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  31. ^ "Prince thrilled to fly solo". News.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  32. ^ "Prince William joins the RAF". MoD.uk. Ministry of Defence. 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  33. ^ "Biography of Prince Charles". PrinceOfWales.gov.uk. Prince of Wales, GOV.UK. 2009. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  34. ^ "Veteran Harrier pilot helps rebirth of flying at RAF airbase". RoyalNavy.MoD.uk. Royal Navy, Ministry of Defence. 27 January 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  35. ^ Barrass, M.B. (2007). "Biography of Air Vice-Marshal Felton Holt". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  36. ^ Barrass, M.B. (2007). "Biography of Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding of Bentley Priory". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  37. ^ "List of 16 Sqn personnel - Feb to May 1916". Airwar1.org.uk. Airwar1. 2004. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  38. ^ Barrass, M.B. (2007). "Biography of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Paul Maltby". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  39. ^ Barrass, M.B. (2007). "Biography of Marshal of the RAF Viscount Portal of Hungerford". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  40. ^ Barrass, M.B. (2007). "Biography of Air Chief Marshal Sir Alec Coryton". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  41. ^ Barrass, M.B. (2007). "Biography of Air Commodore Alan Churchman". RAFWeb.org. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  42. ^ "Obituary for Air Commodore Paddy Forsythe". TimesOnline.co.uk. London, England: Times Newspapers Ltd. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
  43. ^ "RAF honours awarded during Operation GRANBY". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force, Ministry of Defence. 2004. Retrieved 16 May 2009.
  44. ^ "BBMF fighter pilots 2009". RAF.MoD.uk. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Air Force. 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2009.

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