No. 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron

No. 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron No. 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron

ANNIVERSARY PARADE

by Corporal Chris Lake On Saturday 23rd July 2022, personnel and former members of 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron attended a Parade to celebrate the Squadron’s 21st Anniversary.

3(Tactical) Police Squadron was formed soon after the 1998 Strategic Defence Review which recognised that the Royal Air Force Police establishment needed to be increased to assist the security of ever-expanding UK Air Operations and commitments across the globe. It was decided to increase the numbers of both Regular and Reserve personnel within the existing Tactical Police and Security Squadron to form Tactical Police Wing. 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron was established in 2001 and recruitment began in earnest soon after. Originally based at RAF Henlow, the Squadron was relocated to RAF Honington in 2015 along with Tactical Police Wing in its entirety as part of the RAF re-basing project. Currently, 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron now forms part of 1 Specialist Police Wing leading to a more specialist mission. During its 21-year history, 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron has provided support to the RAF Police in the UK, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Falkland Islands, Cyprus, UAE, Iceland, Malaysia and Lithuania to name but a few.

The 21st Anniversary Parade was watched proudly by families and friends who were also able to enjoy stands and demonstrations and combine the occasion with the awarding of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal to those personnel with qualifying service. The celebratory Parade could not begin however before those parading took part in the age-old tradition of calming one’s nerves with a tot of Port! Once we were suitably refreshed the Parade stepped off from 3 (Tactical) Police Squadron HQ before coming to a halt at the Griffin Monument located outside Specialist Police Wing.

3 (Tactical) Police Squadron Honorary Air Commodore Dame Sara Thornton presented the Medals with Provost Marshal RAF, Group Captain Foster-Jones and Station Commander, Group Captain Holland both in attendance. Three further awards were also presented during the Parade. Flight Sergeants Nigel Holderness and Christopher Ward were both awarded a clasp to their Volunteer Reserve Service Medal which denotes a total of 15 years of service. Sergeant Alan Ashley was also awarded the Operation PITTING clasp to his Operational Service Medal after deploying to Afghanistan and assisting with the evacuation of Kabul in 2021. Dame Sara concluded the Parade by giving a short but rousing speech which culminated in an offer of sincere thanks to our families and friends for their unwavering support to Squadron personnel in fulfilling their duties and commitments.

Despite the weather being especially warm, the Parade was enjoyed by all in attendance. It is very rare that personnel from a Reserve Squadron can all get together and Parade – especially with our families present. It was a very enjoyable day which was topped off with a Buffet Dinner in the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess in the evening.

For me, memories of such an occasion with all my colleagues – my mates - will be long lasting and fondly remembered.

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