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The return of 19 Sqn and 78 Sqn

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The return of 19 Sqn and 78 Sqn

Old 7th May 2021, 13:16
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The return of 19 Sqn and 78 Sqn

Well two former flying squadron number plates are set to return for Air Surveillance and Control System Control & Reporting Center.

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...JnV9WlSkvSGg5c





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Old 7th May 2021, 14:24
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It won't be long before each unit becomes a squadron. The Government will claim it is increasing the number of squadrons thus giving the impression of increasing the size of the military.
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Old 7th May 2021, 14:35
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OMG! One way to pack the ‘front line’ numbers, I suppose, but my sympathy goes to former members of No. 78 Sqn RAF who are now associated with the Mil element of Swanwick (which isn’t even on an RAF station).

Bah and humbug.
Former ATCO.
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Old 7th May 2021, 15:41
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Bizarre, just bizarre. Whatever the quotes are for the Boulmer CRC and RAFU Swanwick, I'll wager the members of those units are as confused as I am about the reasoning behind this decision - and I suspect ZH875 will be close to the truth.

Once GUARDIAN is delivered, Swanwick will become both a Mil ATC and ASACS Unit - the ASACS Resilience Entity at Swanwick will be the fallback for the Primary CRC at Boulmer, taking the place of Scampton, which will close. A bit more, therefore, than MPN11 intimates, but not a lot!
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Old 7th May 2021, 15:44
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I suspect my Dad will be turning in his grave Ex 78 Dakota's Egypt 1946 - 47, helicopters was bad enough

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Old 7th May 2021, 16:24
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I’m going to rename my den 74 Sqn and put a plaque on the door, after all there’s more to do with real aviation in situ than some of the units out there now.
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Old 7th May 2021, 16:28
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Beggars belief! Bah Humbug!!!

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Old 7th May 2021, 18:32
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Originally Posted by Audax
I’m going to rename my den 74 Sqn and put a plaque on the door, after all there’s more to do with real aviation in situ than some of the units out there now.
Are you offering to host a virtual Tiger meet?

I cry, foul! Lucky escape for some, my understanding is the seniority of the first 10 dormant squadrons was V, 43, 111, 208, 20, 19, 15, 78, 55, 207. I thought the RAF system was at least straightforward unlike the RN's appears to be. Or are there six secret establishments with squadron numbers?



Last seen with Scimitars on Hermes in 1961 (Before I was launched.)
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Old 7th May 2021, 19:04
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I can see the battle honours on the colours now.
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Old 7th May 2021, 20:43
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I never imagined 78 Sqn would turn into this when I was flying Twin Pioneers in Aden in 1959.

Last edited by brakedwell; 7th May 2021 at 21:13.
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Old 7th May 2021, 21:23
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Waiting for the moment when a batch of used Snow Queen Skis become a squadron....
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Old 7th May 2021, 21:26
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At the risk of being controversial - not without precedent. How many Bloodhound squadrons carried the number plate of a former flying squadron?
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
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Old 7th May 2021, 22:31
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I only served on 78 Sqn in the Falklands for four months and thought that the Squadron status was pushing it a bit, but this is just a bloody joke!
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Old 7th May 2021, 22:54
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Originally Posted by Melchett01
At the risk of being controversial - not without precedent. How many Bloodhound squadrons carried the number plate of a former flying squadron?
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
So true, it makes much more sense to retain the squadron ethos even if the tasks change dramatically.
I'd assume a lot of tank squadrons were cavalry initially,so there is plenty of precedent.
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Old 7th May 2021, 23:35
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Originally Posted by Melchett01
At the risk of being controversial - not without precedent. How many Bloodhound squadrons carried the number plate of a former flying squadron?
I suppose it could be a way of packing out the numbers, but equally it’s also a way of keeping Sqns going and contemporary rather than them disappearing into the history books.
Thor units had squadron numbers too didn't they?
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Old 8th May 2021, 00:45
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I know that XXV (F) was assigned to a bloodhound unit.

Bit of an odd decision - I imagine everyone except the people that signed off on it think the same.

I'd not like to work in a non-flying unit assigned a flying unit number. It would feel odd and I assume it would invite derision.
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Old 8th May 2021, 00:54
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I will prefer to remember the real 19 Sqn !


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Old 8th May 2021, 05:55
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At Cosford, the 'active' aircraft which provided airfield training were called 238 Sqn (I think).

About 40 years ago, it was a letter I wrote to Air Clues, which led to the change from OCUs to 'R' squadrons. I got a load of stick about the suggestion, until Air Marshal Sir John Curtiss thought it a good idea and it suddenly became 'respectable'.

Some of our allies actually have the support services at an air base, carrying a number - don't be surprised when Brize becomes the 520th Air Base Support Wing. We of course already have 'Expeditionary Air Wings'. I have to confess that I would have felt a little more 'engaged' had I been the member of a squadron or numbered wing at a station, rather than 'OC Bogs and Drains' Flight or somesuch. (When I was 'holding' at St Athan, I was appointed 'O i/c Outside Toilets'. Standing around waiting for COs inspection, would probable get me a spell in prison now, or perhaps some unwelcome suggestions!!!).

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Old 8th May 2021, 06:20
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Audax..
I’m going to rename my den 74 Sqn and put a plaque on the door, after all there’s more to do with real aviation in situ than some of the units out there now.
Good idea. I have a 78 crest on the study wall. A relocation to the door is called for. (78 Wessex; Khormaksar and Sharjah '67-'68)
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Old 8th May 2021, 08:53
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May I suggest that the issue here is not the use of a number to identify a unit but the use of the word ‘Squadron’ as the descriptor. I would like to know which dictionary provides a definition of ‘squadron’ that is applicable to this context.
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