No. 10 Squadron RAF

No. 10 Squadron RAF. It is one of the oldest and most distinguished squadrons in the Royal Air Force, having been formed during the First World War. Throughout its long history, the squadron has operated a wide variety of aircraft, from early B.E.2 biplanes to the modern Voyager tanker, serving in numerous global conflicts. Based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, it currently provides critical air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport support for British and allied forces worldwide.

History

No. 10 Squadron was formed on 1 January 1915 at Farnborough as a reconnaissance unit equipped with the B.E.2. It deployed to France in July 1915, conducting vital artillery spotting and photographic missions over the Western Front throughout the First World War. Disbanded after the Armistice of 11 November 1918, it was reformed in 1928 at RAF Upper Heyford flying the Atlas before transitioning to the Hinaidi and Virginia heavy bombers. During the Second World War, operating the Whitley and later the Halifax from bases like RAF Leeming and RAF Melbourne, it conducted strategic bombing campaigns over Germany as part of Bomber Command. Post-war, it flew the Lincoln and Canberra in the Cold War bomber role before converting to the VC10 tanker/transport in 1966, a type it operated for over forty years, seeing action in the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan. The squadron transitioned to the Voyager in 2011, continuing its global support mission.

Aircraft operated

The squadron's initial aircraft was the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, used for reconnaissance. In the interwar period, it operated bombers like the Atlas, Hinaidi, and Virginia. Its primary Second World War aircraft were the Whitley and the four-engined Halifax. After the war, it flew the piston-engined Lincoln and the jet-powered Canberra B.2. A major chapter began with the introduction of the VC10 C.1K and K.3/4 in 1966, which served through multiple conflicts. Since 2011, its fleet has consisted of the Airbus Voyager KC2 and KC3 (A330 MRTT), which perform air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport.

Notable personnel

Several notable individuals have served with the squadron. Wing Commander Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, later Baron Cheshire, one of the most decorated RAF pilots of the Second World War and a Victoria Cross recipient, commanded the squadron's Halifaxes in 1942. Renowned test pilot and author Group Captain John Cunningham flew Mosquito night fighters but had earlier service on bombers including types flown by No. 10 Squadron. Australian Air Vice-Marshal Alan H. Charlesworth commanded the squadron during its Canberra era in the 1950s. Flight Lieutenant Edward "Mick" Mannock, Britain's top fighter ace of the First World War, though primarily associated with No. 74 Squadron, served briefly in early reconnaissance units.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1936, features a bombardier tenrec, an animal known for its protective spines, symbolising the squadron's offensive and defensive capabilities. Its Latin motto, "Rem Acu Tangere", translates as "To Hit the Mark". During the Second World War, its Halifax aircraft often carried the squadron code "ZA". In the VC10 era, aircraft were marked with a large "10" on the tail fin. Today, its Voyager aircraft are painted in overall grey with Royal Air Force roundels and a small squadron insignia, with some aircraft bearing special Tartan tail art in recognition of the squadron's historical association with Scotland.

Bases and deployments

The squadron formed at Farnborough in 1915. Its first operational deployment was to Saint-Omer in France. Key interwar bases included RAF Upper Heyford and RAF Boscombe Down. During the Second World War, it operated from stations such as RAF Leeming, RAF Melbourne in Yorkshire, and RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Post-war bases have included RAF Scampton and RAF Cottesmore. Since 1966, its home has been RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, from where it deploys globally. Detachments are routinely made to support operations in the Middle East, such as at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and to the Asia-Pacific region.