No. 1 Squadron RAF

No. 1 Squadron RAF
Unit name	No. 1 Squadron RAF
Caption	Squadron badge
Dates	1912–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Type	Fighter squadron
Role	Fast jet combat
Garrison	RAF Leuchars
Identification symbol	An eagle volant affrontée
Motto	To be the first

No. 1 Squadron RAF is the oldest numbered squadron of the Royal Air Force with origins predating the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. Established during the reign of George V and active through the First World War, Second World War, the Cold War, and twenty-first century operations, the squadron has operated from bases across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It has flown aircraft ranging from early Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 types to the modern Eurofighter Typhoon, taking part in campaigns including the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Britain, the Napoleonics-era ceremonial predecessors, and NATO exercises such as Operation Joint Endeavour.

History

Formed under Air Battalion Royal Engineers reforms and later absorbed into the Royal Flying Corps in 1914, the squadron deployed to the Western Front and participated in the First Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Arras. During the interwar period it served in Iraq, intervening during the 1920 Iraqi revolt and operating from RAF Hinaidi and RAF Shaibah before returning to RAF Tangmere ahead of the Second World War. In 1939–1945 it flew convoy patrols and bomber escort missions in the Battle of Britain and supported the Normandy landings and the Allied advance into Germany. Postwar re-equipment saw deployments to RAF Akrotiri, RAF Wildenrath, and RAF Gütersloh during the NATO defence of Western Europe against the Warsaw Pact. In the 1990s and 2000s it participated in operations over Iraq during Operation Telic and over Libya during Operation Ellamy, later converting to the Eurofighter Typhoon at RAF Leuchars for homeland air defence and expeditionary tasking.

Aircraft Operated

The squadron's first types included the Bristol Boxkite and the Farman MF.7 during pre‑1914 experiments. In the First World War it flew the Vickers Gunbus, the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, and the famed S.E.5a fighter. Interwar and early second‑war types included the Hawker Fury, the Gloster Gladiator, and the Hawker Hurricane. During the Second World War it transitioned to the Supermarine Spitfire and later the North American P-51 Mustang. Cold War equipment comprised the Gloster Meteor, the Hawker Hunter, the English Electric Lightning, and the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2. In the post‑Cold War era the squadron flew the Panavia Tornado F3 and subsequently re‑equipped with the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 for air defence and multirole operations.

Roles and Operations

Historically a reconnaissance and fighter unit, the squadron has performed aerial reconnaissance in the First World War, bomber escort in the Second World War, and air superiority missions during the Cold War. It has contributed to coalition operations including Operation Granby, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Unified Protector. It has conducted Quick Reaction Alert duties for the UK Air Defence Region and participated in NATO air policing missions over the Baltic States and the Mediterranean Sea. The squadron has also executed combat air patrols during Operation Shader and provided support to Joint Force Command Naples and Allied Air Command exercises.

Battle Honours and Awards

Battle honours emblazoned on the squadron standard include Mons, Marne 1914, Ypres 1915, Somme 1916, Arras 1917, Cambrai 1917, France and Low Countries 1939–1940, Battle of Britain 1940, Normandy 1944, and North-West Europe 1944–45. The squadron has earned unit and individual awards such as the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Distinguished Service Order, and campaign medals associated with Gulf War and Operation Ellamy service. It has been recognized by allied nations through honours from the United States Air Force and decorations associated with NATO commendations.

Commanding Officers

Commanders have included early pioneers from the Royal Flying Corps era and notable leaders such as officers decorated in the First World War and the Second World War. Postwar commanding officers progressed through careers involving staff appointments at Air Command, training at RAF College Cranwell, and NATO postings at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. Commanding officers often moved between command of front‑line squadrons and appointments within the Ministry of Defence and royal appointments associated with House of Windsor ceremonial duties.

Insignia and Traditions

The squadron badge features an eagle volant affrontée, granted under the royal prerogative and linked to traditions of aerial prowess embodied in badges across the Royal Air Force. The motto "To be the first" reflects the squadron's status as the senior numbered unit, celebrated in annual parades at RAF Leuchars and previously at RAF Leeming and RAF Waddington. Traditions include commemorations on Remembrance Day and participation in Royal International Air Tattoo displays and Trooping the Colour flypasts, maintaining links with veterans' associations and heritage groups.

Category:Royal Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1912