10 Feb 1915 – 1 April 1918 (RFC) 1 April 1918 – 31 Dec 1919 (RAF) 1 April 1924 – 1 June 1957 1 March 1958 – 6 June 1972 8 January 1973 – 29 February 1984 1 March 1984 – 11 September 1991 1 November 1991 – 11 March 2005 1 October 2008 – present
* Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Insignia
Squadron badge heraldry
Two keys in saltire. The badge symbolises army co-operation duties. The keys indicate the unlocking of the enemy's secrets; the gold key by day, the black key by night. Approved by King Edward VIII in November 1936.
It originally formed as a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1915, at Saint-Omer, France, to carry out a mixture of offensive patrolling and reconnaissance, and was disbanded in 1919, shortly after the end of the First World War. The squadron reformed as part of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1924, and again took on a reconnaissance role which it continued throughout the Second World War. Post-war, the squadron was disbanded and reformed several times, and was converted to a bomber squadron. Equipped with the Tornado GR1 from 1984, the squadron took part in the Gulf War in 1990. It was reformed in November 1991 as the operational conversion unit (OCU) for the Jaguar, until the Jaguar's imminent withdrawal from service in 2005. No. 16 Squadron reformed again and took on its current role in 2008.
History
Early years
An observer of the Royal Flying Corps in a Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c reconnaissance aircraft demonstrates a C type aerial reconnaissance camera fixed to the side of the fuselage, 1916.
In September 1915, Duncan Grinnell-Milne joined the squadron as a junior pilot, and later (1933) published an account of his time in the squadron. His portrait of Dowding (who when the book was originally published had not then attained his later fame) is unflattering.[4]
The squadron was reformed at Old Sarum in Wiltshire in the tactical reconnaissance role on 1 April 1924. Initially, it operated the Bristol Fighter, but this was replaced by the Atlas in January 1931, and by the Audax in December 1933.[8]
In May 1938, the Westland Lysander arrived,[9] and the Squadron continued in its tactical role in wartime France from April 1940.[10] In May 1940, it returned to England and conducted roving sea patrols searching for both downed aircrew and enemy forces.[11]
From April 1942, 16 Squadron was re-equipped with the Allison-engined North American Mustang I for fighter sweeps and reconnaissance duties over France from its base at RAF Weston Zoyland in Somerset. The Spitfire Mk.V took over this role from September 1943.[8] On 2 June 1943, the Squadron became part of the Strategic Reconnaissance Wing of the 2nd Tactical Air Force (2TAF) as a high-altitude photo reconnaissance unit with Spitfire PR Mk.IXs based at Hartford Bridge. In the build-up to D Day, No 16 supplied photographs instrumental to the planning of the Allied landings.[12]
The Canberra gave way to the Buccaneer S.2B on 16 October 1972. The squadron's twelve Buccaneers were equipped with a variety of conventional weapons and eighteen British WE.177 nuclear bombs.[13] Although Buccaneers could carry two WE.177 weapons, after taking into account attrition in the conventional phase of a high-intensity European war, and after withholding some aircraft in reserve, RAF planners expected that squadron strength remaining would still be sufficient to deliver the nuclear weapons stockpile. The Buccaneer distinguished itself in many bombing exercises; among its victories included the winning of the Salmond Trophy in 1978 and 1979.[14]
The squadron briefly expanded in 1983-1984, absorbing some aircraft and personnel from its sister 15 Squadron which had converted to the Panavia Tornado GR1. 16 Squadron followed in late 1984 following the 'designate' process where a new 16 Squadron 'formed up' at RAF Honington, before moving to Laarbruch and assuming the squadron standard from the Buccaneer unit which had continued to operate throughout. Despite the change of aircraft, the squadron's role remained unchanged in countering a Soviet threat in Europe with conventional weapons and eighteen WE.177 nuclear bombs. As with the Buccaneer, there was a ratio of 1.5 weapons per aircraft.[15]
Letter sent to 16/20 Squadron groundcrews upon return from Tabuk.
Ahead of Operation GRANBY in 1990 and the first Gulf War, the squadron deployed to Tabukairbase. No. 16 was the lead squadron in the deployment, with No. 20 and crews from other Tornado GR1 squadrons. The 'Tabuk Force' used JP233s and 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) bombs on low-level sorties against Iraqi airfields and other targets. Some of the Squadron's aircraft later formed a TIALD flight that conducted accurate medium-level bombing.[16]
Following hostilities, the Squadron disbanded on 11 September 1991; 33 years ago (1991-09-11).[17]
SEPECAT Jaguar (1991–2005)
SEPECAT Jaguar GR1A XX116 of No. 16(R) Squadron in commemorative livery, displaying 'The Saint' on its tail fin, 1995
On 1 November 1991, the Squadron reformed at RAF Lossiemouth as No. 16(Reserve) Squadron, a reserve squadron and an operational conversion unit (OCU), replacing and taking over the aircraft and weapons of No. 226 OCU, training and converting new pilots for the SEPECAT Jaguar. Although no longer a front-line operational squadron, as a reserve, or shadow squadron, its twelve aircraft were equipped with conventional weapons and eight WE.177 nuclear weapons for use in a high-intensity European war, and it remained assigned to SACEUR for that purpose.[18][19][20][21]
In December 2003, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced with the Delivering Security in a Changing World defence review, RAF Coltishall would close in 2007, and the recently upgraded Jaguar fleet would be retired early.[22] This led to the disbandment of No. 16 Squadron on 11 March 2005 as the Jaguar approached retirement.[23] The Squadron Standard[24] was laid up in Notre-Dame Cathedral Saint-Omer, France on 20 March 2005.[25]
Elementary flying training (2008–present)
On 1 October 2008, the squadron was reformed at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, as part of No. 22 Group, operating the Grob Tutor T1.[26] No. 16(R) Squadron continues its training role by instructing new Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots in elementary flying training (EFT)[27] as part of No.1 Elementary Flying Training School (1EFTS). From 2005 to 2008, the unit was previously known as 1 Squadron, 1 EFTS following a restructuring of the RAF's pilot training.[28][29] 16(R) Squadron instructs the RAF's new pilots along with some pilots from overseas foreign militaries. The squadrons' role is to provide pilots to the more advanced flying training courses on their way to earning the coveted aircrew brevet, or pilot 'wings', prior to joining a front line squadron or unit. In early 2008, Prince William took his first steps on his aviation career at No. 16 Squadron's site, flying his first solo sortie in Tutor G-BYXN.[30][31][32]
Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX painted in the colours of No. 16 Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force.A No. 16(R) Squadron student pilot flies his first solo formation sortie in Grob Tutor T1 G-BYWB, 2009.
No. 16 Squadron's 'Saint' logo. The nickname stems from the original formation at Saint Omer in France. In the past, the logo has been painted onto No. 16 Squadron aircraft and worn as a badge on the flying suits. The badge is presented to student pilots after their first solo sortie.
^ abWind in the Wires, by Duncan Grinnell-Milne. London 1933. Revised by the author and republished by Doubleday, New York 1968.
^"Beaupré-sur-la-Lys (Abbey)". Cister.net. European Charter of the Cistercian Abbeys and Sites. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
^The squadron has been known as the 'Saints' due to its formation at Saint Omer, the unofficial stickman logo from the novels and TV series was subsequently adopted in the 1960s. This logo could be found on many 16 Squadron aircraft, and as badges worn on the right arm of flying suits.
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