SPECIAL SQUADRONS
As I recall, in 1945 the Commands were asked to nominate their most distinguished unit to be kept in being. Bomber Command chose 617, Transport Command chose 511 and Coastal Command chose 120 Sqn. That list must have fallen by the wayside or C-17s would be flown by 511 Sqn rather than 99 Sqn. The Air Historical Branch keeps a list of squadrons with points awarded for longevity, number of VCs, service in the Battle of Britain etc. But all these procedures and lists went out of the window when 74 Sqn was re-established instead of 45 Sqn because the ex-74 Sqn air rank mafia made such a fuss. Expect the same sort of undercover lobbying when the next Tornado squadrons have to be retired.