56 (r) squadron
 

does anyone know the fate of 56 sqn, i heard a rumour they are to standown as of july 07, is standing down the same as disbandment???

maverick,

It doesn't necessarily mean disbandment, though this is most common: when 216 Squadron stood down as a Buccaneer unit, it didn't disband: it simply acquired new aircraft (Tri*) in a new location at a later date.

I would guess that as one of the RAF's most senior numberplates, 56 stands a reasonable chance of standing up/reforming as a Typhoon unit, its years as a Reserve unit (which doesn't count towards reckonable continuous service, or at least hasn't to date) notwithstanding.

Ah, but it's been a reserve sqn for some years now.

I think that time spent as (R) doesn't count towards seniority

Er...

Despite that, 56 is still high up in the order of seniority. IIRC from having had to work this out a while ago (don't ask...), 56 is senior to other likely Typhoon units, despite having been a reserve sqn since 91/92-ish.

[anorak]It isn't by any means certain that 56 will reform, but it is in with a chance of so doing, particularly if 43 and 111 are run on beyond the date of the formation of the fifth Typhoon squadron. There are a whole host of complications, though, not least of which is whether or not the Air Staff ignore the rules about seniority (which they have been known to do). [/anorak]