No. 1435 Flight RAF
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| No. 1435 Flight RAF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 4 December 1941 (Flight) 2 August 1942 (Squadron) |
| Role | Air defence |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Mount Pleasant |
| Motto | Defend the right |
| Equipment | Panavia Tornado F3 |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
None |
While the UK officially does not foresee any threat to the Falkland Islands, it maintains significant military forces as a deterrent against any aggressor. (Argentina is the only other country to claim ownership of the Islands.) These forces also protect South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
The Royal Air Force contribution to this deterrent is based at RAF Mount Pleasant, the primary component of which is No. 1435 Flight, with its four Tornado F3s providing air defence. The aircraft are permanently based in the islands, while the aircrew from the UK are cycled through 1435 flight, with the only limitation being the necessary weather flying qualifications. While there they provide a 365 day, 24 hour alert.
1435 Flight was formed in Malta on 4 December 1941, its status raised to No. 1435 Squadron in 1942, becoming the only RAF squadron to be given a four figure number. The squadron flew Spitfires, and was disbanded in May 1945. In 1988, when 23 Sqn converted to the Tornado, 1435 Flight was revived, equipped with four Phantoms. These were replaced by four Tornados when the Phantom was retired in 1992. The Flight has maintained its Maltese connections, its aircraft sporting the Maltese cross. The practice of naming the four-aircraft presence on the islands has also been maintained, they are called Faith, Hope, Charity and Desperation after the four Gloster Gladiators that defended Malta (Faith, Hope and Charity flying operationally, with Desperation appropriately in reserve); these names had previously been borne by the four Phantom FGR2s operated by No 1435 Flight until 1992. On their retirement, one of the Phantoms was placed as the gate guardian at Mount Pleasant.
1435 Flight will receive the Eurofighter Typhoon by the end of 2007.
Contents |
[edit] RAF Tornado squadrons
[edit] F3
- No. 25 Squadron - RAF Leeming
- No. 43 Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 56 (Reserve) Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 111 Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 1435 Flight - RAF Mount Pleasant
[edit] GR4
- No. 9 Squadron - RAF Marham
- No. 12 Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
- No. 14 Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
- No. XV (Reserve) Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
- No. 31 Squadron - RAF Marham
- No. 617 Squadron - RAF Lossiemouth
[edit] GR4A
- No. II Squadron - RAF Marham
- No. 13 Squadron - RAF Marham
