No. 111 Squadron RAF

No. 111 Squadron RAF. Known as "Treble One", it is one of the Royal Air Force's most famous and senior fighter squadrons. First formed in 1917, the squadron has served with distinction in nearly every major conflict involving the United Kingdom for over a century. It is currently based at RAF Coningsby operating the Eurofighter Typhoon as part of the Quick Reaction Alert force.

History

The squadron was originally formed at Deir-el-Zor in August 1917 as part of the Royal Flying Corps, conducting army co-operation duties during the First World War in the Middle Eastern theatre. Disbanded after the war, it was reformed at RAF Duxford in 1923, flying fighters like the Gloster Gauntlet and becoming the first Royal Air Force unit to receive the Hawker Hurricane in 1938. During the Second World War, the squadron fought with great distinction in the Battle of Britain, claiming over 100 enemy aircraft destroyed. It later participated in offensive operations over Occupied Europe, including the Dieppe Raid and supporting the D-Day landings. Post-war, the squadron transitioned to jet aircraft, seeing action during the Suez Crisis and the Falklands War while stationed at RAF Leuchars. After a period operating the Panavia Tornado F3, it was the first frontline squadron to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon in 2006, a role it continues today from RAF Coningsby.

Aircraft operated

The squadron's initial equipment included the B.E.2 and Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 during the First World War. In the interwar period, it operated biplanes such as the Sopwith Snipe, Gloster Grebe, and Bristol Bulldog. Its first monoplane fighter was the Hawker Hurricane, which it flew throughout the early years of the Second World War, later converting to the Supermarine Spitfire. Post-war jets began with the Gloster Meteor and Hawker Hunter, followed by the English Electric Lightning. It operated the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II during the 1970s and 1980s from RAF Leuchars, before transitioning to the Panavia Tornado F3 for air defence. Since 2006, its sole aircraft has been the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished airmen have served with the squadron. Wing Commander John Gillan famously flew a Hawker Hurricane from RAF Northolt to RAF Turnhouse in 1938 at an average speed exceeding 400 mph in a publicity stunt. Flight Lieutenant James Harry Lacey, one of the top-scoring Royal Air Force fighter pilots of the Second World War, achieved many of his victories while serving with the unit during the Battle of Britain. Another notable Battle of Britain ace was Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck, who later commanded the squadron. Post-war, Air Vice-Marshal James Edgar Johnson, the top Allied fighter ace against the Luftwaffe, also served with the squadron early in his career.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1937, features a heraldic fret, a symbol representing interlaced protection and constant readiness, reflecting its motto "Adstantes". Its most famous marking is the all-black tail fin and spine adopted when flying the Hawker Hunter, earning it the nickname "The Black Arrows". This was spectacularly demonstrated in 1958 when the squadron performed a record-breaking 22-aircraft formation loop at the Farnborough Airshow. During its time on the English Electric Lightning, it used a distinctive gold lightning bolt on a black fin. While operating the Panavia Tornado F3, it used a stylised black panther head, a theme sometimes retained in subtle markings on its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

Bases and deployments

The squadron formed in the Middle East at Deir-el-Zor in 1917. Its most significant interwar base was RAF Northolt, from where it received its first Hawker Hurricanes. During the Second World War, it operated from numerous Royal Air Force stations across southern England including RAF Croydon, RAF Debden, and RAF Martlesham Heath. Post-war, it was a long-standing resident of RAF Leuchars in Scotland for air defence duties from 1961 until 2011. It also had short deployments to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and RAF Bruggen in Germany. Since 2011, its home has been RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, from where it conducts Quick Reaction Alert duties and has deployed on exercises across Europe and operations over Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Shader.

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