No. 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron

No. 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron
Unit name	No. 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Auxiliary Movements Squadron
Role	Aerial port operations, logistics, and personnel movement
Garrison	RAF Brize Norton
Motto	Moventes Celeriter, (Latin: "Moving Swiftly")
Identification symbol label	Squadron Badge
Dates	1 January 1989 – present

No. 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron is a specialist Royal Auxiliary Air Force unit responsible for providing essential logistics and personnel movement support to the Royal Air Force. Based at the strategic transport hub of RAF Brize Norton, the squadron is composed of part-time volunteer reservists who train alongside their regular counterparts. Its primary mission is to ensure the rapid and efficient deployment, reception, and onward movement of personnel, equipment, and freight, both in the United Kingdom and on overseas operations.

History

The squadron was formed on 1 January 1989 as part of a wider expansion of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force following the Cold War, inheriting the lineage and traditions of earlier RAF Regiment and support units within Oxfordshire. Its creation was driven by the need for dedicated reserve expertise in the complex field of air mobility, a critical component of NATO strategy. Throughout the 1990s, personnel supported numerous exercises and real-world operations, including those in the Balkans following the Yugoslav Wars. The squadron’s role expanded significantly after the September 11 attacks and the subsequent War in Afghanistan and Iraq War, where its members were routinely mobilised to manage the immense logistical flow at airheads in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Role and operations

The squadron’s core function is to provide specialist movements and aerial port services, encompassing the planning, processing, and physical handling of all elements of an airbridge. This includes passenger services, loadmaster support, the manifesting and build-up of aircraft pallets, and the operation of specialist equipment like K-loaders and tugs. Personnel are trained to work with a wide array of Royal Air Force transport aircraft, including the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, Airbus A400M Atlas, and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. The squadron regularly deploys on exercises such as Exercise Joint Warrior and has provided continuous support to global operations, including Operation Shader against ISIL and Operation Trenton in South Sudan.

Aircraft and equipment

While not a flying squadron, No. 4624 (County of Oxford) Movements Squadron is intrinsically linked to the Royal Air Force’s fleet of transport and aerial refueling aircraft. Its personnel are qualified to handle cargo and plan loads for the entire fleet based at RAF Brize Norton, including the Boeing RC-135 and the Airbus Voyager. The unit operates and maintains a suite of ground support equipment critical for airfield operations, from forklifts and aircraft tow tractors to mobile air conditioning units and aircraft cargo loaders. This equipment is identical to that used by regular RAF Air Mobility Force units, ensuring full interoperability.

Bases and locations

The squadron has been permanently headquartered at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire since its formation. This location places it at the heart of the Royal Air Force’s global air transport network, co-located with regular units of No. 2 Group (RAF) and the RAF Air Mobility Force. Its personnel also train and operate from other key Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) installations, including RAF Northolt and the Defence Movements School at DMS BZN. During mobilisations, squadron members have served at numerous expeditionary airfields worldwide, from Camp Bastion in Helmand Province to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.

Commanding officers

The squadron has been led by a succession of Royal Auxiliary Air Force officers, typically holding the rank of Squadron Leader. Appointments are usually for a three-year tenure. Notable past commanding officers have included individuals with extensive prior service in the Royal Logistics Corps and regular Royal Air Force movements trade, bringing considerable operational experience from postings in Cyprus, Germany, and the Falkland Islands. The commanding officer is supported by a Flight Lieutenant as Executive Officer and a team of senior Non-commissioned officers.

Squadron badge and heritage

The squadron’s badge, approved by the Queen in 1991, features a wyvern in flight, a heraldic beast long associated with Oxfordshire, superimposed over a compass rose, symbolising global mobility. The Latin motto Moventes Celeriter translates to "Moving Swiftly". The squadron maintains strong links with the County of Oxford, with its Lord-Lieutenant serving as Honorary Air Commodore. It also upholds the traditions of former Oxfordshire-based Royal Air Force units, participating in annual ceremonies such as Battle of Britain commemorations and Remembrance Sunday events at Oxford War Memorial.

Category:Royal Auxiliary Air Force Category:Royal Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations in Oxfordshire