No. 99 Squadron RAF

No. 99 Squadron RAF
Unit name	No. 99 Squadron RAF
Dates	15 August 1917 – 1 April 1918 (RFC), 1 April 1918 – 31 December 1919 (RAF), 1 April 1924 – 15 November 1945, 17 November 1945 – 10 March 1950, 1 January 1956 – 10 July 1976, 1 January 1977 – 31 March 1984, 1 July 1984 – 18 July 1992, 4 October 1992 – 31 March 1999, 1 April 1999 – 31 March 2011
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	United Kingdom (1917–1918), United Kingdom (1918–2011)
Type	Flying squadron
Role	Heavy bomber; strategic air transport
Motto	Quisque tenax, ("Each tenacious")
Battles	First World War, Second World War, Suez Crisis, Falklands War, Gulf War
Identification symbol label	Squadron badge heraldry
Identification symbol 3 label	Squadron codes
Aircraft bomber	Handley Page V/1500, Vickers Vimy, Handley Page Hyderabad, Handley Page Hinaidi, Handley Page Heyford, Vickers Wellington, Avro Lancaster, Avro Lincoln
Aircraft transport	Bristol Britannia, Lockheed C-130K Hercules

No. 99 Squadron RAF. It is a former squadron of the Royal Air Force with a distinguished history spanning nearly a century, primarily as a heavy bomber unit. The squadron was first formed in 1917 and saw extensive service in both world wars, most notably as part of RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War. In the post-war era, it transitioned to strategic air transport, operating large aircraft in support of global British military operations until its disbandment in 2011.

History

The squadron was originally formed at RAF Yatesbury in August 1917 as a unit of the Royal Flying Corps, initially equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 for training before receiving the Airco DH.9 for day bombing missions on the Western Front. Following the Armistice of 11 November 1918, it was deployed to India as part of the RAF's forces in the region, disbanding there in 1919. Reformed in 1924 at RAF Netheravon, it became a dedicated heavy bomber squadron, operating a succession of large biplanes like the Handley Page Hyderabad throughout the interwar period. During the Second World War, it flew Vickers Wellington and later Avro Lancaster bombers from bases such as RAF Mildenhall and RAF Waterbeach, participating in major raids including the Battle of the Ruhr and the Bombing of Dresden. Post-war, it was re-equipped with the Avro Lincoln before converting to the transport role with the Bristol Britannia in 1959, supporting operations during the Suez Crisis and the Falklands War. Its final incarnation saw it operating the Lockheed C-130K Hercules from RAF Brize Norton until its final disbandment.

Aircraft operated

Throughout its service, the squadron operated a wide variety of aircraft. Its early years featured the Airco DH.9 and the massive Handley Page V/1500. The interwar period saw it fly the Vickers Vimy, Handley Page Hinaidi, and the Handley Page Heyford. Its primary wartime aircraft were the Vickers Wellington from 1939 and the Avro Lancaster from 1942. After the war, it briefly used the Avro Lincoln before transitioning to transport aircraft, including the Bristol Britannia and finally the Lockheed C-130K Hercules, the latter seeing service during the Gulf War and in the Balkans.

Notable personnel

Several distinguished airmen served with the squadron. Wing Commander Roderick Learoyd was awarded the Victoria Cross for a daring attack on the Dortmund-Ems Canal in 1940 while flying a Vickers Wellington. Renowned aviation author and pilot Nevil Shute served as a stress engineer working on the squadron's Airco DH.9 aircraft during the First World War. High-ranking officers such as Air Chief Marshal Sir Kenneth Cross and Air Vice-Marshal Johnnie Johnson also had early service postings with the unit.

Bases and deployments

The squadron was based at numerous locations across the globe. Key operational bases in the United Kingdom included RAF Yatesbury, RAF Netheravon, RAF Upper Heyford, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Waterbeach. Overseas deployments were extensive, with post-First World War service in India and Iraq. During the Cold War, as a transport squadron, it was based at RAF Lyneham and later RAF Brize Norton, from where it deployed worldwide, including to the South Atlantic, the Middle East, and Africa.

Squadron badges and markings

The squadron's badge, approved by King George VI in 1936, features a demi-lion rampant, reflecting strength and tenacity, with the motto "Quisque tenax" ("Each tenacious"). During the Second World War, its Avro Lancaster aircraft carried the squadron code "LN" prior to the introduction of individual bomber squadron codes. In the transport era, its Bristol Britannia and later Lockheed C-130K Hercules aircraft carried standard Royal Air Force roundels and serials without distinctive unit markings.

Accidents and incidents

Operating large, multi-engine aircraft over many decades, the squadron experienced several significant accidents. In February 1944, an Avro Lancaster from the squadron crashed near RAF Waterbeach following a raid on Leipzig, with the loss of all crew. A notable post-war incident occurred in November 1961 when a Bristol Britannia overshot the runway at RAF Khormaksar in Aden, resulting in substantial damage but no fatalities. Another Bristol Britannia was damaged beyond repair in a landing accident at RAF Nairobi in January 1964.

Category:Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1917 Category:1917 establishments in the United Kingdom