No. XVII Squadron RAF
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| No. XVII Squadron RAF | |
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| Active | 1 February 1915 - 4 November 1919 1 April 1924 - 23 February 1948 11 February 1949 - 13 March 1951 1 June 1956 - 31 December 1969 1 September 1970 - |
| Role | Air defence (Operational Evaluation) |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Coningsby |
| Motto | "Excellere Contende" (Strive to excel) |
| Equipment | Eurofighter Typhoon |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
A Gauntlet |
No. XVII Squadron (or "17 Sqn") is an active squadron of the Royal Air Force. The first No 17 Squadron was formed in the Royal Flying Corps in 1915. After the war No 691 Squadron RAF was renumbered as No 17 Squadron.
As "No. XVII (Reserve) Squadron" it was reformed on 1 April 2005 at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire to operate the Typhoon T.1 and F.2. It is the Operational Evaluation Unit for the type and is called the Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit (TOEU). [1]
On initial entry to RAF service the squadron was reformed "as a Reserve Squadron" on 1st September 2002 at BAE Systems' Warton airfield where a special facility had been constructed. The Squadron relocated to RAF Coningsby on 1st April 2005 and was officially re-formed at its new base on 19th May 2005. [2] No. XVII(R) Squadron was joined at RAF Coningsby on 1st July 2005 by No. 29 Squadron, thus bringing to the end the Typhoon's "Case White" entry into service programme. An initial operational capability is expected to be established in 2007 by No. 3 Squadron. [1]
In recent history the squadron has played a major part in the RAF forces in Germany operating Canberras, Phantoms, Jaguars and the Tornado. The squadron temporarily disbanded in 2002.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Typhoon Spitting Flares", Air Forces Monthly, Key Publishing, November 2006, p. 6. Retrieved on October 17, 2006.
- ^ "BAE Systems bids farewell to 17(R) Sqn as they head for new home at RAF Coningsby", BAE Systems plc, 2005-04-01. Retrieved on October 17, 2006.
[edit] External links
| Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons | |
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Current: No. 3 Squadron RAF | No. 11 Squadron RAF |
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Future: No. 6 Squadron RAF |
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Other: No. 17(R) Squadron (Operational Evaluation Unit) | No. 29(R) Squadron (Operational Conversion Unit) |
