Question: The longest a units been at one Stn?

[NDB]

Firstly, sorry for using this site for homework.. But....

What is the longest an RAF section/Sqn has been located at the same Station, including reserve units?

So far i'm looking at a 50th coming up next year!

Many thanks,

NDB

[4Foxtrot]

I'd say the Red Arrows have been in Akrotiri for a while.

[Rossian]

How about 120 at KSS - it must be coming up to about 50 yrs since it came over from Aldergrove. No?
The Ancient Mariner

[Wrathmonk]

Do Wings count as "sections". If so Admin Wg at whichever station has been open the longest must win!!:}

Or the Fire Section .... or are these only "recent" innovations.:p

Flying units - what about the SAR sqns (22/202)?

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

C Flt 22 Sqn has been at Valley since September 1955 (according to the 22 Sqn Association website). The same website lists A Flt as arriving at Chivenor with their Whirlwinds in Nov 1858...!

202 can't quite match that, having taken over the bases used by 228 Sqn until that unit was renumbered in 1964.

I wonder how long 1 FTS has been at Linton now?

[NDB]

Well that beats my 616 VGS at Henlow since '58...

Thank you.

[Jackonicko]

JATCS moved to Shawbury in 1950, becoming CATCS in 1960.....

RAF College, Cranwell? The officer training school for the RNAS from 1915, then for the RAF from 1918, RAFC took it's current title on 5 February 1920.

That might take a bit of beating.....

[L J R]

Longest Unit at same location....

MoD Main Bldg Whitehall - or did you say 'Productive Units'... delete this post then.

[ACW599]

If I'm not much mistaken, 633 VGS has been at Cosford since 1946.

[snapper41]

The RAF's drill and ceremonial unit has been based at RAF Uxbridge since the early 1920s. Renamed the Queen's Colour Squadron in 1960, I reckon this has to be close to the record.

[philrigger]

;)
Snapper41

For your info.

http://www.uxbridge.raf.r.mil.uk/live/Upload/QCS.htm

The RAF Regt did not stand up until sometime during WWII. (1942 ?).







'We knew how to whinge but we kept it in the NAAFI bar.'

[snapper41]

Phil;
I know - the point I'm making is that the RAF's drill and ceremonial unit (under whatever guise), has been continuously at Uxbridge for 80 years.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafregiment/rafregimentsquadrons/63_sqn_history.cfm

[philrigger]

;)
Snapper41

I apologise. I was not concentrating.
I will double 2 times round the square with my .303 above my head shouting "Who is a f88king prick then".
(Its over 40 years since I first did that, as ordered by Sgt Nobby Hall. He of the short legs and foaming mouth fame).






'We knew how to whinge but we kept it in the NAAFI bar.'

[philrigger]

;)
Rossian

120 Squadron

Kinloss since 1 April 1959.







'We knew how to whinge but we kept it in the NAAFI bar.'

[Elmlea]

I wonder how long 1 FTS has been at Linton now?

It's the 50th anniversary of 1 FTS coming to Linton this year, I think.

[Jackonicko]

To recap

The RAF College has been at Cranwell since before 5 February 1920.

An RAF drill and ceremonial unit (though not necessarily the same unit) has been at Uxbridge since some unspecified time in the 20s.

No.633 VGS has been at Cosford since 1946.

JATCS/CATCS has been at Shawbury since 1950

'C' Flt No.22 Sqn has been at Valley since September 1955.

No.616 VGS has been at Henlow since '58

No.120 Squadron has been at Kinloss since 1 April 1959.

Until they stood down recently, No.6 had 93 years of continuous unbroken service, which was a record..... but not at the same station.

[Ken Scott]

The original question was 'been at the same station' - East Midlands UAS was at Newton from its formation in 1941 until it moved to Cranwell a few years ago, so about 60 years, not bad for a flying unit.

[ACW599]

>The original question was 'been at the same station' - East Midlands UAS was at Newton from its formation in 1941 until it moved to Cranwell a few years ago, so about 60 years, not bad for a flying unit.<

That's a thought -- how long has the finest UAS of all been at St Athan?

[Jackonicko]

Except it was Nottingham UAS until 1967......

A&AEE?

[EODFelix]

A&AEE - August 1939 (from Martlesham Heath)

[glad rag]

What does the OP mean by "unit"?

[Once A Brat]

How about the RAFASUPU at Wittering, formed 1953 and still going. Although the HQ had a brief holiday at Marham about 2000, the big green trucks that don't exist remained until the transportation role was transferred to the RN.

However, the T-Bar in the original site was rumoured to be the building with the longest continued use for the same purpose in the RAF - ie ASU T Bar 1955 til 2002 when site handed to 37 Sqn regt........or is that thread creep?



Trenchards Finest......Once a brat, always a brat!! :)

[Wensleydale]

If you are looking at operational flying units, then 8 Sqn was in Aden from 1927 to 1967 (although there was a short gap in the middle of 1945 while the Sqn flew Liberators from Celon against the Japanese).

The Sqn was banned from the UK by Lord Trenchard in 1920 and did not return to the UK until the Shackleton days in 1972 and even then remained in the far north of Scotland until finally returning to civilisation (ie England) in 1991 with the Sentry.

The Sqn Boss' office has a framed letter from the current Lord Trenchard giving permission for the Sqn to return.

Morale of Story - don't upset (very) senior officers at a dining in night! They have a very long reach. :oh:

Full details on 8 Sqn Web Site History Section.

[Al R]

How about the longest period of time, a sqn has seen service with the one type?

To get the ball rolling, I nominate if Sqn- Harrier since 1 Jan 1970 (I think).

[ZH875]

The Canberra OCU must be in there somewhere, 1950 ish to 1995 ish.

[Blacksheep]

No.1 School of Technical Training was located at RAF Halton from 1920 until the demise of the Apprentice Scheme in 1993. A clearly recognisable Unit continuously based on one Station for 73 years.

Blacksheep. 105th Rook. :ok:

[Goer Round]

The Queen's/King's Flight must be in there somewhere surely?

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

if Sqn


Is that 1 (F) Sqn?

How about the BBMF - operators of Spitfires and a Hurricane since 1957 (admittedly, under the guise of the Historic Aircraft Flight until 1973)?

Presumably the Herc sqns have amassed a fair few decades of service with the same type by now (and no let's not have a new willy-waving contest on the lines of "the J is so much better that you can't call it the same type as the K blah blah blah..."!)

[Gainesy]

I think the Nimrod units would beat F Troop for time on type, as would the Hercs.

[Al R]

Torque said:
Is that 1 (F) Sqn?

Yup, when I was posted onto it, I was told that if I left it a sane man, it'd be a miracle.