1 Sqn

After an exceedingly busy period for 1 Squadron, we celebrated the centenary birthday of the Squadron, when it was originally formed in 1921 as No.1 Armoured Car Company. A comparison photo was taken of the Squadron formed up then and now and it’s interesting to see the similarities and differences of the times. The individual flights also took the opportunity to have separate flight photos taken, a proud moment for all involved. Sadly, the Centenary Dinner was postponed due to the prevalence of the OMICRON variant of CV-19.

There was also an opportunity for 7 members of the Squadron to visit RAF Coningsby for a capability demonstration from 29 Squadron, the RAF’s Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit. An interesting day was had by the gunners who visited, as they received an interesting and in depth presentation of the aircraft’s capabilities, which included a physical tour of the aircraft, its supporting staff and infrastructure. After clearly demonstrating a willingness to learn, the gunners who attended came away with increased knowledge of how the Typhoons operate. The gunners prepared their own presentation for the rest of 1 Squadron to pass on the knowledge they had learned.

As Christmas neared, 1 Squadron took part in the annual tradition of a Christmas TAB and send-off prior to Christmas leave. A heavy but quick lap around the airfield including some Christmas songs and carols for those with enough lung capacity, it finished with a Bacon Sandwich in the Squadron Hangar. A perfect way to round off a fast paced and busy year.

On return to work the Squadron were thrown straight back into things with Public Order training! Important (and fun) training was held by the Squadron’s own Public Order instructors, Cpl Pickett and Cpl Rowbury-Evans and overseen by Sgt Braint. We were thankful to 34 Squadron and II Squadron for supplying two further instructors to allow the training to take place. The training started with the basics of shield drill, and then throughout the week, built up to moving down a training lane, consisting of ‘rioters’ (played by the other flights, a job they very much enjoyed!), missiles such as rubber bullets getting thrown and even a petrol bomb getting set off against the front line of shields! This training is vital for generating a contingent Air FP Public Order capability, in order to deal with public disturbances in and around RAF airfields.

Public Order Training

Arkish Surrish

RAF Regiment’s 80th birthday

Most recently the Squadron participated in celebrating the RAF Regiment’s 80th birthday, with the Squadron Standard being proudly paraded on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace alongside the other Standards of the regular and reserve Regiment Squadrons and of course The Queen’s Colours of both the RAF and RAF Regiment.

Flt Lt Edward Woodley-Jones was the Squadron Standard Bearer for a career highlight on an all RAF changing of the guard event, where The Queen’s Colour Squadron provided both the old and new guards. A forecourt covered in the blue of the RAF, and attended by Chief of the Air Staff ACM Sir Mike Wigston, AVM Mick Smeath (DA in Washington and senior serving RAF Regiment Officer) and HRH Duke of Kent.

This event took weeks of prior training, with Flt Lt Woodley-Jones practicing his Standard drill for 2 weeks under the watchful eyes of The Queen’s Colour Squadron drill instructors at RAF Northolt. The landmark event went off without a hitch and the gunners and officers who took part will forever feel pride that they were part of such a historic moment.

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