Squadrons re-equipping/renumbering/standing up and down - what actually happens?
 

Bit of a daft admin question, but when reading various squadron histories both offline and off, I'm often told that "X Sqn exchanged its Jaguars for Tornados" or "Y Sqn was re-formed on <date> by renumbering Z Sqn". But what actually happens in the real world to physical assets, human or otherwise?

With squadron "renumbering", I take it that all personnel and airframes stay in place, and it's a "simple" case of laying down standards, (because I'm guessing their current numberplate is getting mothballed at best) and receiving new ones, and some rapid repainting of aircraft, sewing of new patches, relocation of trophies etc.? So a station visitor coming back after a month would see the same airframes and personnel in the same hangar, just dressed a bit differently?

Does "X Sqn exchanged its <oldtype> for <newtype>" actually mean that an existing, or brand new, squadron was renumbered as X Sqn? If a brand new type, would the squadron-sized unit being built from the ground up have had a squadron numberplate of its own temporarily or a different designation? Or did X Sqn go through a lengthy conversion phase, with personnel rotated through the relevant OCU until the transformation was complete?

Thanks for any information or personal anecdotes - it just intrigues me from a historical point of view.

Well, swapping Velcro patches and re-painting aircraft, hangars and offices is one path ;)

Otherwise crews will have worked up on the new type and be posted in to operate the new aircraft (as will the Eng staff).

After that, I defer to those who have experienced the transition.

Old crews absorbed by other same-type sqns. Some posted to different roles, others to the OCU for the new type.

Been a while since 18 Sqn did any (B)....

I was on 43 as we transitioned from Phantoms to Tornados. As I recall faces gradually disappeared in the months leading up and new faces appeared with some of the old ones gradually reappearing.
The Phantoms went and there was a few months lull as we got the new kit in and re-vamped the Sqn ready for the Tornados.

"Been a while since 18 Sqn did any (B)...."

Indeed Serf, Suez 1956 with Canberras. Still more recently than any "F" sqn shot down an enemy aircraft though.....

Rebadging doesn't happen that often these days on operational squadrons - the re-appearance of 12 Squadron being a notable exception - but has been quite common on Reserve squadrons as more senior numberplates were disbanded as operational squadrons (e.g. 4 Squadron replaced 20 as the Harrier OCU, then 19 at Valley)

Yes - the Air Ministry decided that renumbering should only occur in exceptional circumstances after the experience of much renumbering of squadrons in the late 50s/early 60s (3 Squadron, for instance went from Hunters to Canberra B(I)8s via Javelins through one disbandment and the renumbering of two other squadrons in the space of two years).

It was noted that the units required to renumber resented the move - their previous squadron had its own heritage, identity and ethos and the Air Ministry had, in their eyes, told them that this was less important than maintaining the existence of a more senior numberplate (using a seniority system which, as Jeff Jefford has noted, had various flaws). This was felt to have had a temporary affect on morale and possibly squadron efficiency.

There were - understandably - negative reactions from veterans of the squadrons which disappeared. This all led to the view that squadrons should not be renumbered unless it was considered important for this to happen and no other means of perpetuating a very senior numberplate could be used to achieve this goal.

OCU numberplates were not subject to the policy about seniority, hence renumbering was not an issue; reserve numberplates were (and IIRC, technically are) deemed not to exist until activated for operations. The rule has been awfully confused since ministerial interference after 1991 to ensure that the Sec of State could fend off questions about the disbandment of XV, 16 and 20 under Options for Change and service in Granby by saying that they had changed roles rather than been disbanded...

Thanks for all the feedback - slowly getting my head around the fact that squadron numbers can jump about rather than being carried on by rolling replacement!

I've just a quick count, and there are currently just 30 front line and 16 reserve squadrons active.:sad:

Well if the F35 squadrons are going to be mixed RN/RAF, then the first two should be numbered 360 and 361................

The closing down mob have a parade, wrap the Standard ( Sqn Flag ) up and drink what's left of the teabar funds, the reforming mob have a parade, unwrap the Standard and start to generate teabar funds to pay for their closing down party.

You do get the odd anomaly, I watched our squadron ( 20 Sqn ) disband and have the parade through the wire fence on QRA, and although the Squadron had gone, the aircraft and several of us were still on task and we finished some days after the rest of the Squadron had disbanded.

Evalu8ter, your post reminds me of a friend of my family. Had been MT at West Raynham,
was sent to Suez in that adventure. Seems strange to me. Sadly I never asked him why.
No chance now.

If you want to understand the subject area, and get the chance to do so, I'd suggest getting a copy of Jeff Jefford's RAF Squadrons: A Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment of All RAF Squadrons and Their Antecedents Since 1912; it explains this all very, very well.

we've all forgotten the most important bit

the Ceremonial Posting on Pprune

Act1 - "it is a conspiracy by SO's from other squadrons to choose this squadron for the chop"

Act 2 "this is the best squadron in the world"

Act 3 "We'll be back!"

Act 4 "anyone for a reunion ?"