No. 33 Squadron RAF

No. 33 Squadron RAF. It is a squadron of the Royal Air Force with a distinguished history spanning over a century of service. Initially formed as a Royal Flying Corps unit during the First World War, it has operated a wide variety of aircraft in roles ranging from fighter to helicopter support. The squadron has been deployed in numerous major conflicts and continues to serve as a key Puma HC2 operator from RAF Benson.

History

The squadron was originally formed at RAF Yatesbury on 12 January 1916, moving to France later that year to begin operations on the Western Front with Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 aircraft. During the Second World War, it saw extensive action, first flying Gloster Gladiator biplanes in the North African Campaign and later converting to the Hawker Hurricane during the Battle of Greece and the Battle of Crete. After the war, the squadron transitioned to jet fighters, operating the de Havilland Vampire and later the English Electric Canberra in the bomber and photo-reconnaissance roles. A significant shift occurred in 1970 when it was re-formed as a helicopter unit, initially flying the Westland Whirlwind before converting to the Aérospatiale Puma. In this role, it participated in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and numerous peacekeeping and combat operations in the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Aircraft operated

The squadron's operational history is marked by a diverse fleet. Early aircraft included the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12 and the Sopwith Camel during the First World War. The interwar and early Second World War period saw service with the Hawker Hart and the Gloster Gauntlet before its notable use of the Gloster Gladiator in the Western Desert Campaign. Post-war jet operations involved the de Havilland Venom, the Hawker Hunter, and the English Electric Canberra B.2. Since becoming a helicopter squadron, its primary types have been the Westland Whirlwind HAR.10, the Aérospatiale Puma HC1, and the current upgraded Puma HC2, which it operates in the tactical transport and combat search and rescue roles.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished aviators have served with the squadron. Among them is Adolph "Sailor" Malan, a famed South African fighter ace who later commanded the unit during the war. Another notable commander was Wg Cdr Johnnie Johnson, the Royal Air Force's top scoring fighter ace against the Luftwaffe, who led the squadron in the immediate post-war period. Air Vice-Marshal John Grandy also served with the squadron early in his career before rising to become Chief of the Air Staff. The Victoria Cross recipient Flt Lt William Reid was posted to the squadron later in the war after his heroic actions with No. 61 Squadron RAF.

Squadron badges and motto

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1937, features a Xanthareel—a mythical heraldic beast with the head of a wolf and the body of a dragon—representing speed and ferocity. The motto, "Loyalty in Strength", is presented in Latin as "Loyal à la Mort". This heraldic imagery and motto have been consistently used, symbolizing the unit's enduring spirit and combat ethos through its many transitions in role and equipment.

Bases and deployments

The squadron has been based at numerous locations across the globe. Early bases included RAF Filton and RAF Turnhouse. Significant wartime deployments saw it operating from airfields such as RAF Fuka in Egypt and RAF Larissa in Greece. Post-war, it was stationed at RAF Middleton St. George and RAF Leeming while flying jets. As a helicopter squadron, its primary home has been RAF Odiham, from where it deployed detachments to the South Atlantic, Saudi Arabia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2015, the squadron has been permanently based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, from where it continues to support United Kingdom Special Forces and provide global tactical air mobility.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1916