No. 51 Squadron RAF

No. 51 Squadron RAF. It is a former squadron of the Royal Air Force with a long and distinguished history spanning over a century. The squadron has operated in roles from bomber and reconnaissance duties to electronic intelligence gathering, participating in major conflicts from the First World War to the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021). Its service concluded in 2022 after its final mission with the Boeing RC-135 aircraft.

History

The squadron was first formed on 15 May 1916 at RAF Thetford as a unit of the Royal Flying Corps, initially equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 for Home Defence duties over East Anglia. During the First World War, it transitioned to night-flying missions, defending against Zeppelin raids and later operating the Airco DH.4 on daylight bombing sorties over the Western Front. Disbanded in 1919, it was reformed in March 1937 at RAF Driffield as a bomber squadron, flying the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley at the outbreak of the Second World War. It conducted early leaflet propaganda raids over Germany and participated in the strategic bombing Battle of the Ruhr and the famous Dam Busters raid. Post-war, the squadron's role shifted dramatically to electronic intelligence (ELINT), flying modified Avro Lancaster and English Electric Canberra aircraft during the Cold War, monitoring Warsaw Pact signals from bases in West Germany. This ELINT mission continued with the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1 and finally the Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint, supporting operations in the Balkans, Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) until its disbandment on 31 March 2022.

Aircraft operated

Throughout its service, the squadron operated a diverse fleet. Early types included the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2, and Airco DH.4. Its interwar and Second World War bomber period featured the Handley Page Hampden, Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, and the Avro Lancaster. For its post-war electronic warfare role, it flew specialized variants like the Avro Lancaster GR.3, the English Electric Canberra PR.3, and the English Electric Canberra B.6. The Cold War era saw the introduction of the Hawker Siddeley Comet and its primary platform for decades, the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1. Its final aircraft was the Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint, operated from RAF Waddington until the squadron's stand-down.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished individuals served with the squadron. Wing Commander Roderick Learoyd was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during a Second World War raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal while flying a Handley Page Hampden. Renowned aviation author and pilot Nevil Shute served as a Royal Flying Corps officer with the unit during the First World War. Air Vice-Marshal Donald Bennett, later founder of the Pathfinder Force, commanded the squadron for a period. Squadron Leader John L. W. Ellacombe was a notable Battle of Britain pilot who later flew with the squadron. Flight Lieutenant Leonard H. Trent, who later received the Victoria Cross for a separate action with No. 487 Squadron RNZAF, also served with No. 51 Squadron.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1937, features a heron volant in front of a fountain, symbolizing the unit's original home defence role over the fens of East Anglia. The motto "Swift and Sure" was adopted concurrently. During its early bomber service, aircraft carried the squadron code 'MH'. For its electronic warfare missions, the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1 aircraft were painted in a distinctive grey colour scheme with minimal markings, while the later Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft wore a similar tactical grey livery with Royal Air Force roundels and a small squadron badge near the cockpit.

Bases and deployments

The squadron was formed at RAF Thetford and had early war bases at RAF Tydd St Mary and RAF Marham. Its interwar reformation was at RAF Driffield. Key Second World War stations included RAF Snaith, RAF Dishforth, and RAF Leconfield. Post-war, its electronic intelligence mission was centered at RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire for many years. From 1995, it operated the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1 from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. Its final overseas detachment was to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, supporting operations in the Middle East. The squadron was officially disbanded in a ceremony at RAF Waddington in 2022.

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