No. XXV Squadron RAF
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No. XXV Squadron RAF | |
---|---|
Active | 25 September 1915 |
Role | Air defence |
Garrison/HQ | RAF Leeming |
Motto | "Feriens tego" (Striking I defend) |
Equipment | Panavia Tornado F3. |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol |
A hawk rising on a gauntlet |
No. 25 Squadron of the Royal Air Force currently operates the Panavia Tornado F3, from RAF Leeming. It is due to disband by April 2008.
[edit] History
25 Squadron Royal Flying Corps was formed in September 1915. The squadron moved to RAF Northolt, and in the Second World War flew Blenheims on night patrols. By the closing stages of the war the squadron was almost entirely committed to bomber escort missions. The squadron re-equipped with Meteor jets in 1954. The Squadron disbanded in June 1958. On July 1, 1958 No. 153 Squadron was renumbered as No. 25 Sqn and continued to fly Meteors until their replacement in 1959 by Javelin.
No. 25 squadron disbanded again in 1962, reforming a year later as the RAF's first Bloodhound surface-to-air missile unit. In this role the squadron moved to RAF Bruggen in 1970, with detachments also protecing RAF Laarbruch and RAF Wildenrath. In 1983 the squadron moved to RAF Wyton, similarly protecting RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Wattisham.
[edit] Current role
The RAF withdrew the Bloodhound in 1989 and on August 1 the squadron reformed at Leeming in its present role. Its primary role was Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) for Mid and South England and Wales operating from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. Sadly, the squadron disbanded on April 4, 2008. The squadron's Tornados have been relocated to RAF Leuchars and have joined the remaining active F3 sqns there. During the disbandment parade, the Commander in Chief of the RAF hinted that this may not mean the end for XXV Squadron in the future, although it is no evidence at this time that it is to become a fighter squadron.
25 (F) Squadron disbanded at RAF Leeming on April 4th, 2008.
[edit] See also
other F3 squadrons
-
- No. 43 Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 56 (Reserve) Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 111 Squadron - RAF Leuchars
- No. 1435 Flight - RAF Mount Pleasant