RAF Squadrons Receive Battle Honours from Her Majesty The Queen
 

https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles...sty-the-queen/

No idea how to embed the page.

I think its bizarre at this particular moment - no doubt someone deep int he UK MoD is beavering away on these important task - but here is the announcement:-The Battle Honours have been awarded to commemorate notable battles, actions, or engagements in which squadron aircrew or RAF Regiment personnel played a memorable part. Battle Honours have been awarded to 32 operational flying squadrons and nine RAF Regiment squadrons for their service during operations in Afghanistan during the period 7 October 2001 to 31 December 2014. Six operational flying squadrons and nine RAF Regiment squadrons have been awarded the highest honour of ‘Battle Honour with Emblazonment’. In addition to the Afghanistan honours, Her Majesty The Queen has also granted Battle Honours for some past operations that correct some previous omissions.

The Battle Honour, BOSNIA 1995, with emblazonment, is awarded to No IV (AC) Squadron and No 6 Squadron.

The Battle Honour, SIERRA LEONE 2000, with emblazonment, is awarded to No. 7 Squadron.

The Battle Honour, ‘IRAQ 2003 – 2011’, without the right to emblazon is awarded to 78 Squadron.



The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston CBE ADC said:
"Battle Honours reflect the tremendous contribution of Royal Air Force Squadrons to operations in the air and on the ground. They add to the Royal Air Force's rich history of operational excellence, protecting our Nation. Everyone involved can be rightly proud of the part they played."

The Chief of the Air Staff
Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston CBE ADC


There are two levels of Battle Honour within the Royal Air Force, the first is entitlement which recognises that a squadron played a notable and significant role in the campaign. The second, higher level, gives the right to emblazon the Battle Honour on the Squadron Standard itself. This highest level has been awarded to squadrons who were involved in direct confrontation with the enemy, and who have demonstrated gallantry and spirit under fire.

RECOGNISED SQUADRONS FOR AFGHANISTAN:

Squadrons honoured with the right to emblazon ‘AFGHANISTAN 2001-2014’ on their Squadron Standard.:

• No. 7 Squadron RAF
• No. 3 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAF
• No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 27 Squadron RAF
• No. 27 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAF
• No. 34 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 47 Squadron RAF
• No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 78 Squadron RAF
• No. 58 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. 63 Squadron RAF Regiment
• No. II Squadron RAF Regiment

SQUADRONS HONOURED WITH A BATTLE HONOUR:

• No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron RAF
• No. 30 Squadron RAF
• No. II (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAF
• No. 31 Squadron RAF
• No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron RAF
• No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF
• No. IV (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAF
• No. 39 Squadron RAF
• No. V (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAF
• No. 51 Squadron RAF
• No. 8 Squadron RAF
• No. LXX Squadron RAF
• No. IX (Bomber) Squadron RAF
• No. 99 Squadron RAF
• No. 10 Squadron RAF
• No. 101 Squadron RAF
• No. 12 (Bomber) Squadron RAF
• No. 120 Squadron RAF
• No. XIII Squadron RAF
• No. 201 Squadron RAF
• No. 14 Squadron RAF
• No. 206 Squadron RAF
• No. 23 Squadron RAF
• No. 216 Squadron RAF
• No. XXIV Squadron RAF
• No. 617 Squadron RAF

I would have thought they all would.

Maybe Div II didn't show enough " gallantry and spirit under fire"

Regiment and Rotary, yes.

Fast Air, No.

Bizarre in what particular respect, dare I ask? Good news is surely good news, irrespective of the timing and perhaps particularly at present, and it seems likely that, rather than put them on ice, DSSec had recently passed on HM's approval of these honours for publication for the benefit of those who justly earned them.

Jack

and this would have been the result of many months’ worth of work, long before anyone could spell Coronavirus

Why wait 20 years after an event? The query I have is why haven’t Army or Navy squadrons been awarded Battle honours for the same conflicts? (I assume Fleet and Land just haven’t applied).
I’m guessing the fact that this is an SDSR year, or whatever we are calling it this year, has no bearing on the fact that some at risk squadrons have been given battle honours and thus elevating their status, maybe to help save them?
yes, I’ve been told I’m a cynical bugger, they are all thoroughly well deserved though.

Working on handing out honours is a bit of luxury at any time I'd have thought.................

You couldn’t be more wrong. Recognising gallantry, dedication, determination, fortitude etc is a very worthy activity. It inspires others to do incredible things too. All part of military (fighting) ethos.

Firstly "bizarre" and now a "bit of a luxury" - perhaps I'm misinterpreting the guidance at the top of the page, but that's certainly bizarre in my view....

Jack

Tell me, Asturias, have you ever been under enemy fire?

Typical spotter comment. You don’t know what you’re talking about.

The men and women of 7 & 47 Sqn et al made the time in 2001 to take on a conflict that was extreme, remote, with little or no comms and with no means of external support or rescue in the most challenging of conditions. Making time for an embellishment on their squadron standards is very very little.

As the squadron being awarded the Sierra Leone honour is 7 Sqn, I don’t think there’s any risk that they’re likely to disappear in any defence review.

It was 2000. It seems to be quite a common mistake that people make, not sure why.

It's a long time go.............. twenty years flies - if you rewind 20 years from the action we'r in Pre Falklands times.....

But only a day since Herod last posted.....😁

Jack

Quite common indeed to think that UK operations in Afghanistan commenced in 2001.

I am sure I am missing something here, are you saying Afghanistan was 2000?