No. 101 Squadron RAF

No. 101 Squadron RAF. It is one of the oldest and most distinguished units in the Royal Air Force, with a history spanning over a century of continuous service. The squadron has operated a diverse array of aircraft, from early biplanes to modern multi-role tanker-transports, participating in every major conflict involving the United Kingdom since its formation. Today, based at RAF Brize Norton, it provides critical air-to-air refuelling and strategic air transport capabilities for the Royal Air Force and its allies.

History

The squadron was originally formed at RAF South Farnborough during the First World War as a night bomber unit equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2. It saw extensive action on the Western Front, conducting raids against targets in Germany and occupied France. Disbanded after the war, it was reformed in 1928 at RAF Bircham Newton as a day bomber squadron, initially flying the Fairey Fawn before transitioning to more modern types like the Boulton Paul Sidestrand. During the Second World War, No. 101 Squadron achieved particular fame as part of RAF Bomber Command, operating the Avro Lancaster from bases such as RAF Ludford Magna. It was notably equipped with the secret Airborne Cigar electronic countermeasures system, used to jam Luftwaffe fighter communications during raids on cities like Berlin and Hamburg. Post-war, it operated jet bombers like the English Electric Canberra and Avro Vulcan during the Cold War before transitioning to the Panavia Tornado in the strike role. Since the 1980s, its mission has shifted to air transport and refuelling, operating the Vickers VC10 and now the Airbus Voyager, supporting operations from the Gulf War to Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.

Aircraft operated

Throughout its service, the squadron has flown a wide variety of aircraft. Early types included the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and the de Havilland DH.9. In the interwar period, it operated the Fairey III and the Handley Page Hyderabad. Its most iconic aircraft was the Avro Lancaster, which it flew throughout the main bombing campaign of the Second World War. In the jet age, it was equipped with the English Electric Canberra B.2 and later the Avro Vulcan B.2 as part of the V bomber force. For strike duties, it used the Panavia Tornado GR.1 before converting to the tanker-transport role with the Vickers VC10 K.2/K.3/K.4. Since 2014, its sole aircraft has been the Airbus Voyager KC2/KC3, which it operates on behalf of the Air Tanker consortium.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished aviators have served with the squadron. Wing Commander John "Bob" Braham, one of the Royal Air Force's top night fighter aces, commanded the squadron in 1944. Renowned bomber pilot and Victoria Cross recipient Leonard Cheshire flew with the unit early in the war before commanding No. 617 Squadron RAF. Australian ace Clive Caldwell served a posting with the squadron in 1940. Post-war, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Michael Beetham flew Canberras with the squadron in the 1950s, later becoming Chief of the Air Staff. Navigator and author Jack Currie documented his experiences flying Lancasters with No. 101 Squadron in several well-known books.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1936, features a skull and crossbones with the motto "Mens Agitat Molem" ("Mind Over Matter"). This fearsome emblem led to the unit's nickname, "The Sharks". During the Second World War, its Lancasters were identified by the squadron code "SR" painted on the fuselage. In the jet era, its Vulcans carried a distinctive shark's mouth design on the aircraft nose, a motif later applied to its Tornado aircraft. Today, its Voyager aircraft are painted in overall grey but retain the squadron's badge and often feature small, stylised shark motifs.

Bases and deployments

The squadron has been based at numerous stations across the United Kingdom and deployed globally. Key historical bases include RAF Ludford Magna and RAF Binbrook during the Second World War, and RAF Wittering during its time with the Vulcan. For its Tornado operations, it was based at RAF Brize Norton and later RAF Marham. Since assuming the tanker role, it has been permanently stationed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Deployments have been worldwide, including detachments to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. Its aircraft routinely support exercises with NATO allies and are forward-deployed to theatres of operation in the Middle East and beyond.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1917