No. XV Squadron RAF
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No. XV (Reserve) Squadron | |
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Active | 1 March 1915 (RFC) |
Role | Strike/attack |
Garrison/HQ | RAF Lossiemouth |
Motto | "Aim Sure" |
Equipment | Tornado GR4 |
Battle honours | Western Front 1915-1918, Somme 1916, Arras, Cambrai 1917, Some 1918, Hindenburg Line, France and Low Countries 1939-1940, Meuse Bridges, Dunkirk, Invasion Ports 1940, Fortress Europe 1941-1944, Ruhr 1941-1945, Berlin 1941-1945, Biscay Ports 1941-1945, France and Germany 1944-1945, Normandy 1944, Gulf 1991. |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol |
A hind's head between wings elevated and conjoined in base |
No. XV (Reserve) Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Panavia Tornado GR4 from RAF Lossiemouth. XV or 15 Sqn is the RAF's Operational Conversion Unit for the Tornado GR4. The OCU teaches pilots how to fly the aircraft and what tactics to use to best exploit the performance of their aircraft and its weapons.
Contents |
[edit] Previous Aircraft
- Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 circa 1919
- Hawker Hart circa 1934
- Hawker Hind circa 1936
- Bristol Blenheim circa 1939
- Short Stirling circa 1941
- Avro Lancaster circa 1945
- Handley Page Victor circa 1958
- Blackburn Buccaneer circa 1970
- Tornado GR.4 circa 2004
[edit] Display Team
XV(R) Squadron carry out the flying display for the Tornado GR4 aircraft, and can be seen at many airshows throughout the summer months across Europe. The build up for the display starts early in the year, as the crew prepare for the display season perfecting their routine. As well as the aircrew there are usually two teams of six groundcrew that support the aircraft at a display. Whenever possible the teams will usually be made up of the same engineers throughout the season to maintain consistency and familiarisation.
[edit] Other Information
On 1 September 1958 it became the second Handley Page Victor squadron in the RAF, at Cottesmore. In 1962 it was one of the many squadrons ready for action during the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was disbanded on 31st October 1964.
Cpl David Sinclair of XV(R) Squadron currently holds the squadron spocking record as well as the Ass Master Cup. He has fought long and hard for these titles and sticks to a vigorous training regime.