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| No. XXIV Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | No. XXIV Squadron RAF |
| Dates | 1 September 1915–present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Role | Tactical reconnaissance |
| Garrison | RAF Benson |
| Motto | "In Arduis Fidelis" |
| Identification symbol | A winged sword |
No. XXIV Squadron RAF is a squadron of the Royal Air Force formed during the First World War and active through the Second World War, the Cold War, and into the 21st century. The unit has operated a succession of reconnaissance, bomber, and transport types and has been based across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Middle East. It has participated in major campaigns including the Battle of Britain, the North African Campaign, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Formed at Stoneycroft in 1915, the squadron first flew Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2 types on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme and the Third Battle of Ypres, working alongside units from the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. During the interwar period the unit re-equipped with Hawker Hart light bombers and operated from airfields such as RAF Northolt and RAF Kenley, participating in exercises with formations like Bomber Command and Fighter Command. Re-roled and re-equipped before and during the Second World War with types including the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and the Vickers Wellington, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Theatre and supported the Tunisian Campaign and the Allied invasion of Sicily in concert with units from the Royal Navy and the United States Army Air Forces.
In the early Cold War era the squadron converted to jet-powered reconnaissance aircraft such as the English Electric Canberra and later to transport types including the Hawker Siddeley Andover and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, moving between bases in Germany and the United Kingdom to support British Army of the Rhine deployments and NATO exercises with Supreme Allied Commander Europe. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the unit provided tactical airlift and intelligence support during Gulf War, Kosovo War, Iraq War, and operations in Afghanistan, collaborating with formations such as Combined Joint Task Force structures and multinational logistics elements.
Across its history the squadron has flown a wide variety of types, including early rotary and pusher aircraft like the Sopwith 1½ Strutter and the Bristol F.2 Fighter in the First World War; biplane bombers and reconnaissance types such as the Handley Page Hyderabad, Fairey IIIF, and Avro Anson in the interwar years; twin-engined bombers including the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley and Vickers Wellington during the Second World War; jet reconnaissance and light bomber aircraft such as the Gloster Meteor and English Electric Canberra in the post-war era; and transport and utility types including the Airspeed Oxford, Hawker Siddeley Andover, Short Sunderland, and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The unit also operated rotary-wing platforms and specialized reconnaissance variants in cooperation with manufacturers like Westland Aircraft and Boeing.
The squadron's primary roles have included tactical reconnaissance, photographic intelligence, maritime patrol, light bombing, and tactical airlift. In First World War operations the unit focused on artillery spotting and photographic surveying in support of formations including British Expeditionary Force. During the Second World War the squadron undertook night bombing and anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, contributing to campaigns such as the Battle of the Atlantic and operations over Sicily. Cold War tasks shifted to reconnaissance and strategic airlift in support of NATO commitments to West Germany and coordination with commands like Air Command (RAF). In expeditionary operations since 1990 the unit has conducted air transport, medical evacuation, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of coalition operations alongside units from the United States Air Force, the French Air and Space Force, and other allied air arms.
Organisationally the squadron has been part of various groups and commands, including elements of No. 1 Group RAF, No. 2 Group RAF, and RAF Transport Command, and it has been co-located with formations such as RAF Brize Norton and RAF Lyneham during major restructurings. Bases have included RAF Stoneycroft, RAF Northolt, RAF Benson, RAF Leuchars, RAF Changi, and forward detachment sites in Aden and Cyprus for Middle East operations. The unit's structure has varied between single-flight squadrons and multi-flight organisations, embedding specialist flights for signals intelligence and photo-reconnaissance in collaboration with agencies such as Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence Staff.
The squadron holds battle honours for campaigns including the Western Front (World War I), Battle of Britain, the North African Campaign, the Sicilian Campaign (Operation Husky), and the Battle of the Atlantic. Individual citations and awards to squadron personnel include decorations such as the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom), the Military Cross (United Kingdom), and mentions in dispatches for actions during the First World War and Second World War. Unit commendations have been received for service during operations in Gulf War and subsequent coalition campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Commanding officers have included notable RAF figures and squadron leaders drawn from the Royal Flying Corps transition to the Royal Air Force; senior commanders who later held appointments within Air Command (RAF), RAF Transport Command, and NATO staff. Several commanding officers were decorated veterans of the First World War and the Second World War, with careers intersecting with institutions such as the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom).
The squadron badge features a winged sword and bears the Latin motto "In Arduis Fidelis", reflecting traditions of reconnaissance and rapid response maintained since formation alongside contemporary units such as No. 1 Squadron RAF and No. 617 Squadron RAF. Annual commemorations and memorials are observed at sites including Runnymede Memorial and squadron reunions often involve associations with veterans from the Royal Observer Corps and affiliated RAF regiments. The unit's colours and standards have been presented in ceremonies involving dignitaries from institutions such as the Monarchy of the United Kingdom and senior officers from NATO.
Category:Royal Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1915