No. 16 Squadron RAF Regiment

No. 16 Squadron RAF Regiment was a field squadron of the Royal Air Force Regiment. The squadron operated mostly outside the United Kingdom since its formation in 1948 until 2006 when it was disbanded. It started out as a field squadron before becoming involved in the GBAD programme, where it operated the Rapier missile system.

No. 16 Squadron RAF Regiment
Active1948–2006
Disbanded2006
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleGround Based Air Defence (GBAD)
Size100 personnel (1998)
Motto(s)All Points We Defend[1]

History

No. 16 Squadron RAF Regiment was formed at RAF Watchet in 1948.[2][3] During the Cyprus crisis of 1963–64, elements of No. 16 Squadron were used to bolster the numbers of 3 Wing RAF Regiment on the island of Cyprus.[4] The squadron also deployed as part of 33 Wing HQ RAF Regiment to Northern Ireland, along with No.s 37 Squadron and 48 Squadron. Their mission was part of Operation Banner and the area they had to secure bordered the Irish Republic.[5]

During its tenure at RAF Wildenrath in the 1980s, No. 16 Squadron assumed the airfield defence role from No. 25 Squadron RAF, who had previously operated the Bloodhound missile system. No. 25 Squadron returned to an aircraft role at RAF Leeming operating the Tornado F3 variant. No. 16 Squadron used the Rapier Missile system and operated under No. 4 Wing RAF.[6]

Whilst operating out of Germany in May 1988, two unarmed members of the squadron, along with a third serviceman, were shot by terrorist forces in Holland.[7] All were killed outright, with some senior members of the IRA stating that the killings were revenge for the SAS shootings in Gibraltar.[8]

Whilst deployed to Iraq in 2003 on Operation Telic, one of the gunner's on the squadron, Duncan Pritchard, was severely injured in a road traffic accident and died after being evacuated back to Britain.[9][10] In 2005, the squadron was awarded the battle honour of Iraq 2003 by the Queen, though this was without the right to emblazon the honour on their standard.[11]

A Defence Review in 2004 removed the airfield defence capability from the RAF Regiment, and along with 15, 26 and 37 Squadrons, No. 16 Squadron was put on notice of disbandment by March 2007.[12][13] Between the announcement of disbandment in 2004 and its eventual demise in September 2006, the squadron deployed to Kabul and the Falkland Islands.[14]

Locations

References
  1. Pine, L G (1983). A Dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge & K. Paul. p. 9. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. "RAF says goodbye to squadron". East Anglian Daily Times. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  3. "Regiment Sqns 1-533". www.rafweb.org. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  4. Kingsley 1997, p. 201.
  5. Kinsgley 1997, p. 243.
  6. Gledhill, David (2017). Phantom in the Cold War : RAF Wildenrath 1977-1992. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-52670-408-5.
  7. Kingsley 1997, p. 255.
  8. "IRA Kills three British soldiers[sic]". infoweb.newsbank.com. 2 May 1988. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  9. "The British Service Personnel who lost their lives in Iraq". The Independent. 1 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  10. "Gunner dies after Iraq road crash". BBC News. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  11. "Lords Hansard text for 9 Jun 2005 (50609-25)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  12. Heyman, Charles (2006). The armed forces of the United Kingdom, 2007-2008. Barnsley: Pen & Sword. p. 223. ISBN 1-84415-489-0.
  13. "Lords Hansard text for 21 Jul 2005 (50721-23)". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  14. "RAF's farewell to special squadron". Eastern Daily Press. 29 September 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
  15. Kingsley 1997, p. 306.

Sources
  • Oliver, Kingsley (1997). Through Adversity; the History of the Royal Air Force Regiment 1942–1992. Rushden: Forces & Corporate. ISBN 0-9529597-0-4.
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