No. 23 Squadron RAF

No. 23 Squadron RAF
source
Unit name	No. 23 Squadron RAF
Dates	1915–1919; 1923–1942; 1943–1946; 1946–1957; 1958–1975; 2009–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Air Force
Role	Transport and communications
Command structure	RAF Tactical Support; No. 2 Group RAF (historical)
Garrison	RAF Brize Norton (2016–present)
Nickname	Hurricanes (historical)
Equipment	Airbus A400M Atlas (current)
Battles	Battle of France; North African Campaign; Italian Campaign (World War II); Normandy landings; Operation Banner

No. 23 Squadron RAF is a squadron of the Royal Air Force with origins in the First World War, notable service through the Second World War and the Cold War, and a modern role in tactical airlift. The squadron has operated a succession of types from the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 to the Airbus A400M Atlas, participating in campaigns such as the Battle of Britain era operations, the North African campaign, and post‑Cold War deployments including Operation Herrick and Operation Shader. Its history intersects with figures and units including Edward Mannock, Sergent John Hannah VC (contemporaries), and formations like RAF Coastal Command, RAF Bomber Command, and RAF Transport Command.

History

Formed during the First World War at Montrose Air Station (1913) in 1915, the squadron initially flew reconnaissance and artillery‑cooperation with types such as the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and later the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8, operating alongside formations including No. 1 Group RAF and engaging in the Western Front campaigns and support for the Battle of the Somme and Ypres. Reconstituted in the interwar period at RAF Bircham Newton in 1923, it transitioned to fighters including the Hawker Fury and Hawker Hurricane, serving in the Battle of France and early Second World War operations; deployments linked it with units such as No. 11 Group RAF and the Advanced Air Striking Force. Reformed as a transport unit in 1943, it flew tactical airlift and airborne support with types including the Douglas Dakota and the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle, supporting the Normandy landings and campaigns in Italy and the Balkans Campaign. During the Cold War it operated transport and support types such as the Handley Page Hastings and Vickers Valetta, later converting to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules for strategic and tactical roles, contributing to Operation Granby logistics and Operation Telic support. The squadron was disbanded and reformed multiple times, most recently reactivated in the 21st century to introduce the Airbus A400M Atlas into RAF service alongside No. 70 Squadron RAF, participating in multinational exercises with NATO partners and operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Aircraft operated

Over its history the unit has flown a long lineage of types. First World War types included the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8. Interwar and early Second World War fighters included the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a (post‑1918 transitional types), Sopwith Camel (adjacent units), Hawker Fury, Gloster Gladiator, and Hawker Hurricane. Transport and bomber‑transport types operated included the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle, Douglas Dakota, Airspeed Oxford (training overlap), Handley Page Hastings, Vickers Valetta, Hastings C.1, and Short Stirling (associated troop movements). Postwar medium and tactical transports included the Bristol Freighter, Blackburn Beverley (contemporaries), the Lockheed C-130 Hercules variants, and the modern Airbus A400M Atlas which the squadron currently operates in coordination with No. 24 Squadron RAF and RAF Brize Norton.

Roles and operations

The squadron has alternated roles between reconnaissance, fighter, and transport functions. Early roles were reconnaissance and artillery observation supporting the British Expeditionary Force and cooperating with Royal Horse Artillery units. As a fighter unit it performed air defence and convoy escort duties during the Battle of France and early Second World War, integrating with RAF Fighter Command and engaging Luftwaffe formations such as elements of Luftwaffe bomber and fighter wings. Re‑role to transport saw airborne support for operations including the Sicilian campaign, Operation Husky, the Italian Campaign (World War II), and the Normandy landings with paratroop and glider towing tasks alongside airborne units like the Parachute Regiment. Cold War and post‑Cold War operations encompassed strategic airlift, humanitarian relief (eg. Berlin Airlift‑era logistics legacy), tactical resupply for UNPROFOR‑era and Operation Banner tasks, and combat support in Operation Granby, Iraq War, and Operation Herrick in Afghanistan.

Bases and deployments

The squadron has been based across the UK and overseas. Early wartime postings included Montrose Air Station (1913) and forward aerodromes on the Western Front. Interwar and Second World War stations included RAF Bircham Newton, RAF Northolt, RAF Tangmere, and continental advanced landing grounds during the Battle of France and Normandy landings. Mediterranean and Middle East deployments saw presence at RAF Fayid, RAF Castel Benito, and Italian airfields such as Gioia del Colle Airfield. Cold War stations included RAF Colerne and RAF Lyneham, while modern operations have been based at RAF Brize Norton with expeditionary deployments to Camp Bastion, Al Udeid Air Base, Cairo International Airport (as staging), and participation in NATO exercises across Germany, Poland, and Turkey.

Commanding officers and notable personnel

Commanding officers and notable airmen associated with the unit include decorated pilots and officers who later held senior RAF appointments and joined inter‑service collaborations with figures connected to Royal Navy and British Army commands. Historic association exists with aces and decorated flyers active during the First and Second World Wars and with postwar commanders who contributed to RAF transport doctrine alongside leaders who participated in multinational logistics with NATO and United Nations missions. Several squadron members received honours such as the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, and Distinguished Flying Cross for actions during major campaigns.

Honours and battle honours

The squadron's battle honours reflect service in major 20th‑century campaigns including the Western Front (World War I), Battle of France, North African Campaign, Italian Campaign (World War II), Normandy landings, and postwar operations in the Middle East. Individual members and the unit have been recognized with awards including state decorations such as the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, and campaign medals issued by the United Kingdom. Its modern contributions to multinational operations with NATO and coalition partners have earned operational commendations and commemoration within RAF order of battle listings.

Category:Royal Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1915