600 (City of London) Squadron RAuxAF presented with new Squadron Standard

During one of the hottest weeks of the year, over 100 personnel from 600 (City of London) Sqn, their sister sqns from across the RAuxAF and RAF Northolt conducted a period of intensive training for the presentation of 600 Squadron’s new Standard by the Representative Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Charles Bowman. The day was made all the more special by the attendance of the Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Rich Knighton, who acted as the Reviewing Officer.

As the morning of Saturday 24th June dawned, the support team, drawn from 600 Sqn, sections across the Stn, including the MPGS, 621 EOD Sqn and wider RAuxAF, made an early start on the final preparations. The Stn Cdr soon began welcoming VIP guests, including AOC 2 Gp, AVM Marshall, The Honorary Air Commodore for 600 Sqn, The Lord Trenchard, the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Shehryar Ahmad-Wallana and the Chaplain in Chief, AVM LeGood a former member of 600 Sqn, who would act as the officiating Chaplain, assisted by the Sikh Chaplain to the RAF, Mandeep Kaur. In the meantime, family and friends gathered in the Junior Ranks Mess for refreshments ahead of the parade.

Finally, the moment had arrived. Sir Charles Bowman and the Chief of the Air Staff were escorted to the dais by the Pikemen of the Honorary Artillery Company, who trace their history back to the Royal Charter granted by King Henry VIII in 1537, and the parade was under way. The inspection was followed by the Consecration of the Standard and a march past in slow and quick time. Sir Charles then spoke to those on parade, thanking them for their efforts and noting the historical link between the Squadron and the City of London. The Chief of the Air Staff echoed these sentiments, going on to thank both the Service personnel for their dedication in the Service of their Country and to their families, for the invaluable support and sacrifice they make to help enable this.

The parade could not have taken place without the support of the Station Commander and many individuals and Units across the Station, including the Station Warrant Officer and the King’s Colour Squadron, without which this exceptional occasion would not have been possible.

Wing Commander Steve Duddy, QVRM

AE RAuxAF, Officer Commanding No

600 (City of London) Squadron said: “The presentation of our new Standard is a highly significant, once in a generation event, as it recognises the valour and sacrifice of all those who have served before. Those on parade today can be extremely proud of their part in the history of this Battle of Britain Squadron. We are also privileged to receive the Standard from the Representative Lord Mayor of the City of London, given our close association with the City, since the formation of the Squadron in 1925.”

Group Captain Victoria McPhaden, MA(Oxon) RAF, Station Commander RAF Northolt, said: “Today marks a wonderful day for the Station with the first RAF Standard Presentation to take place during the reign of King Charles III. It is also an enormous privilege to have the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton with us today as the Reviewing Officer for his first Standard Presentation as CAS. 600 (City of London) Squadron is a core part of the Station and the composition of the parade today shows just how well integrated our Reserve and Regular personnel are here, working together and delivering for Station and more widely every day. I know the Station, friends and families of the Squadron will remember today for a long time to come.”