List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

No. 1 Squadron badge

Squadrons are the main form of flying unit of the Royal Air Force (RAF). These include Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) squadrons incorporated into the RAF when it was formed on 1 April 1918, during the First World War. Other squadrons of the RAF include those from Commonwealth air forces which have served within the RAF structure and squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm before it transferred to the Royal Navy in 1939.

Some squadrons have an individual tradition of presenting their squadron number in Roman numerals or using a suffix to their squadron number (such as "(F)" for "Fighter", "(B)" for "Bomber" or "(AC)" for "Army Co-operation") to indicate a past or present role. An example would be No. 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAF which currently actually operates the heavy-lift Chinook helicopter. However, these practices have, at least in the past, been deprecated at higher levels and generally only apply to certain squadrons with long traditions, especially those numbered from 1-20.^[1]

Flying training units are generally (Reserve) squadrons, although they are regular active-duty units; exceptions to this include the Operational Conversion Units as they provide aircrew training on front line aircraft. Some Squadron names include the location they were originally formed.

Regular RAF squadrons (Nos. 1–299)

Squadrons in Bold Type are currently active

No.1 (F) Squadron RAF (Typhoon FGR4)
No. II (AC) Squadron RAF (Typhoon FGR4)
No.3 (F) Squadron RAF (Typhoon FGR4)
No. 4 (R) Squadron RAF (Hawk T2)
No. V (AC) Squadron RAF (Sentinel R1)
No. 6 Squadron RAF (Typhoon FGR4)
No. 7 Squadron RAF (Chinook HC4)
No. VIII Squadron RAF (Sentry AEW1)
No. IX (B) Squadron RAF (Tornado GR4)
No. 10 Squadron RAF (Voyager MRTT)
No. XI Squadron RAF (Typhoon F2)
No. 12 (B) Squadron RAF (Tornado GR4)
No. XIII Squadron RAF (MQ-9 Reaper)
No. 14 Squadron RAF (Shadow R1)
No. XV (R) Squadron RAF (Tornado GR4)
No. 16 (R) Squadron RAF (Tutor T1)
No. XVII (R) Squadron RAF (Lightning II)
No. 18 (B) Squadron (Chinook HC2)
No. 19 Squadron RAF
No. 20 Squadron RAF
No. 21 Squadron RAF
No. 22 Squadron RAF
No. 23 Squadron RAF
No. XXIV (Commonwealth) Squadron RAF (Hercules C4/5)
No. 25 Squadron RAF
No. 26 (South African) Squadron RAF
No. 27 Squadron RAF (Chinook HC2)
No. 28 (R) Squadron RAF (Chinook HC4/6 and Puma HC2 OCU)
No. 29 Squadron RAF (Typhoon F2, FGR4 and T3)
No. 30 Squadron RAF (Hercules)
No. 31 Squadron RAF (Tornado GR4)
No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF (BAe 146 & AW109)
No. 33 Squadron RAF (Puma HC2)
No. 34 Squadron RAF
No. 35 (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF
No. 36 Squadron RAF
No. 37 Squadron RAF
No. 38 Squadron RAF
No. 39 Squadron RAF (MQ-9 Reaper)
No. 40 Squadron RAF
No. 41 (R) Squadron RAF(Typhoon/Tornado Test & Evaluation Squadron)
No. 42 Squadron RAF
No. 43 (China-British) Squadron RAF
No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron RAF
No. 45 (R) Squadron RAF (King Air)
No. 46 (Uganda) Squadron RAF
No. 47 Squadron RAF (Hercules)
No. 48 Squadron RAF
No. 49 Squadron RAF
No. 50 Squadron RAF

Numbers 51–100

No. 51 Squadron RAF (Airseeker)
No. 52 Squadron RAF
No. 53 Squadron RAF
No. 54 (R) Squadron RAF (Sentry/Sentinel ISTAR OCU)
No. 55 Squadron RAF
No. 56 (Punjab) (R) Squadron RAF
No. 57 Squadron RAF (Tutor T1)
No. 58 Squadron RAF
No. 59 Squadron RAF
No. 60 (R) Squadron RAF (Griffin HT1)
No. 61 Squadron RAF
No. 62 Squadron RAF
No. 63 Squadron RAF
No. 64 Squadron RAF
No. 65 (East India) Squadron RAF
No. 66 Squadron RAF
No. 67 Squadron RAF
No. 68 Squadron RAF
No. 69 Squadron RAF
No. 70 Squadron RAF (Atlas)
No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF
No. 72 (Basutoland) (R) Squadron RAF (Tucano T1)
No. 73 Squadron RAF
No. 74 (Trinidad) Squadron RAF
No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF
No. 76 Squadron RAF
No. 77 Squadron RAF
No. 78 Squadron RAF
No. 79 (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF
No. 80 Squadron RAF
No. 81 Squadron RAF
No. 82 (United Provinces) Squadron RAF
No. 83 Squadron RAF
No. 84 Squadron RAF (Griffin HAR2)
No. 85 Squadron RAF
No. 86 Squadron RAF
No. 87 (United Provinces) Squadron RAF
No. 88 (Hong Kong) Squadron RAF
No. 89 Squadron RAF
No. 90 Squadron RAF
No. 91 (Nigeria) Squadron RAF
No. 92 (East India) Squadron RAF
No. 93 Squadron RAF
No. 94 Squadron RAF
No. 95 Squadron RAF
No. 96 Squadron RAF
No. 97 (Straits Settlements) Squadron RAF
No. 98 Squadron RAF
No. 99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron RAF (C-17 Globemaster)
No. 100 Squadron RAF (Hawk T1)

Numbers 101–150

Numbers 151–200

Numbers 201–250

The first squadrons to carry numbers above 200 were former RNAS squadrons that were renumbered upon amalgamation with 200 added to their RNAS squadron number. Independent flights of the RNAS were grouped together in squadrons and given numbers in the 200 series.

Numbers 251–299

Allied Manned Squadrons (300–352)

American Manned

Main article: RAF Eagle Squadrons

No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron – later 334th Fighter Squadron USAAF
No. 121 (Eagle) Squadron – later 335th Fighter Squadron USAAF
No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron – later 336th Fighter Squadron USAAF

Polish Manned (300–309)

See also Squadrons Nos. 315–318, 663 and Polish Fighting Team (under Other)

No. 300 "Land of Masovia" Polish Bomber Squadron (Ziemi Mazowieckiej)
No. 301 "Land of Pomerania" Polish Bomber Squadron (Ziemi Pomorskiej)
No. 302 "City of Poznań" Polish Fighter Squadron (Poznański)
No. 303 "Kosciuszko" Polish Fighter Squadron (Warszawski im. Tadeusza Kościuszki)
No. 304 "Land of Silesia" Polish Bomber Squadron (Ziemi Śląskiej im. Ks. Józefa Poniatowskiego)
No. 305 "Land of Greater Poland" Polish Bomber Squadron (Ziemi Wielkopolskiej im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego)
No. 306 "City of Toruń" Polish Fighter Squadron (Toruński)
No. 307 "City of Lwów" Polish Fighter Squadron (Lwowskich Puchaczy)
No. 308 "City of Kraków" Polish Fighter Squadron (Krakowski)
No. 309 "Land of Czerwień" Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron (Ziemi Czerwieńskiej)

Czechoslovak Manned (310–313)

Note: the RAF never had a No. 314 Squadron, although they did use the number as No. 314 Technical Services Unit. A proposed 314 Squadron was allocated squadron codes UY for the period April to September 1939.^[3]

Polish Manned (315–318)

See also Squadrons Nos. 300–309, 663 and Polish Fighting Team (under Other)

No. 315 "City of Dęblin" Polish Fighter Squadron (Dębliński)
No. 316 "City of Warsaw" Polish Fighter Squadron (Warszawski)
No. 317 "City of Wilno" Polish Fighter Squadron (Wileński)
No. 318 "City of Gdańsk" Polish Fighter-Reconnaissance Squadron (Gdański)

Note: the RAF never had a No. 319 Squadron; the "Polish Fighting Team" was attached to No. 145 Fighter Squadron. A proposed 319 Squadron was allocated squadron codes VE for the period April to September 1939.^[3] There was also 663 Artillery Observation Squadron; No. 138 Special Duty Squadron Polish Flight "C" and No. 1586 Polish Special Duty Flight.

Dutch Manned (320–325)

Note: Nos. 323 to 325 Squadrons were not formed, but allocated Squadron Codes GN, PQ and EA respectively for the period April to September 1939.^[3] However these numbers were used for post-war Royal Netherlands Air Force squadrons.

French Manned (326–329)

See also Nos. 340–347 Squadron

Norwegian Manned (330–334)

Greek Manned (335–339)

Note: Nos: 337–339 never formed,^[4] but were allocated Squadron Codes OK, ML and KN respectively for the period April to September 1939.^[3] The Royal Hellenic Air Force 13th Light Bomber Squadron was also under RAF command in World War II.

French Manned (340–347)

See also Nos. 326–329 Squadron

Note: No. 348 Squadron was not formed,^[5] but Squadron codes letters FR were allocated for the period April to September 1939.^[3]

Belgian Manned (349–350)

Yugoslav Manned (351–352)

Regular RAF squadrons (Nos. 353–361)

Note: Nos. 362–399 Squadrons were not formed.^[6]

Article XV squadrons of World War II (Nos. 400–490)

Under Article XV of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the air forces of Australia, Canada and New Zealand formed squadrons for service under RAF operational control. Most were new formations, however some had already existed prior to the creation of Article XV and had already been operational during the war, including combat operations.

Royal Canadian Air Force (400–443)

No. 400 Squadron RCAF (City of Toronto)
No. 401 Squadron RCAF (Ram)
No. 402 Squadron RCAF (City of Winnipeg)
No. 403 Squadron RCAF (Wolf)
No. 404 Squadron RCAF (Buffalo)
No. 405 Squadron RCAF (Vancouver)
No. 406 Squadron RCAF (Lynx)
No. 407 Squadron RCAF (Demon)
No. 408 Squadron RCAF (Goose)
No. 409 Squadron RCAF (Nighthawk)
No. 410 Squadron RCAF (Cougar)
No. 411 Squadron RCAF (Grizzly Bear)
No. 412 Squadron RCAF (Falcon)
No. 413 Squadron RCAF (Tusker)
No. 414 Squadron RCAF (Sarnia Imperials)
No. 415 Squadron RCAF (Swordfish)
No. 416 Squadron RCAF (City of Oshawa)
No. 417 Squadron RCAF (City of Windsor)
No. 418 Squadron RCAF (City of Edmonton)
No. 419 Squadron RCAF (Moose)
No. 420 Squadron RCAF (Snowy Owl)
No. 421 Squadron RCAF (Red Indian)
No. 422 Squadron RCAF (Flying Yachtsman)
No. 423 Squadron RCAF (Bald Eagle)
No. 424 Squadron RCAF (Tiger)
No. 425 Squadron RCAF (Alouette)
No. 426 Squadron RCAF (Thunderbird)
No. 427 Squadron RCAF (Lion)
No. 428 Squadron RCAF (Ghost)
No. 429 Squadron RCAF (Bison)
No. 430 Squadron RCAF (City of Sudbury)
No. 431 Squadron RCAF (Iroquois)
No. 432 Squadron RCAF (Leaside)
No. 433 Squadron RCAF (Porcupine)
No. 434 Squadron RCAF (Bluenose)
No. 435 Squadron RCAF (Chinthe)
No. 436 Squadron RCAF (Elephant)
No. 437 Squadron RCAF (Husky)
No. 438 Squadron RCAF (Wildcat)
No. 439 Squadron RCAF (Westmount)
No. 440 Squadron RCAF (City of Ottawa and Beaver)
No. 441 Squadron RCAF (Silver Fox)
No. 442 Squadron RCAF (Caribou)
No. 443 Squadron RCAF (Hornet)

Note: Although squadron numbers 444 to 449 were also reserved for the RCAF, it did not use them during the Second World War.

Royal Australian Air Force (450–467)

Note: Although squadron numbers 465 and 468 to 479 were also reserved for the RAAF during the Second World War, it did not use them.

Royal New Zealand Air Force (485–490)

Note: Although the squadron numbers 491 to 499 were reserved for RNZAF units during the Second World War, no such squadrons were formed.

Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons (Nos. 500–509)

Formed as "Special Reserve" squadrons but absorbed into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force

Note: No. 505, 506, 507, 508 and 509 Squadrons allocated Squadron codes YF, FS, GX, DY and BQ respectively for the period April to September 1939, but were never formed.^[3]

Indian Air Force

No. 1 Squadron IAF
No. 2 Squadron IAF
No. 3 Squadron IAF
No. 4 Squadron IAF
No. 6 Squadron IAF
No. 7 Squadron IAF
No. 8 Squadron IAF
No. 9 Squadron IAF
No. 10 Squadron IAF
No. 12 Squadron IAF
No. 101 Squadron IAF
No.104 Squadron

Regular RAF squadrons (Nos. 510–598)

Note: No No. 599 Squadron seems to have been formed.^[6] There were to have been Reserve squadrons using numbers 551–566 which would have been created by adding 500 to existing Operational Training Unit designations.^[7] In the event the plan was never put into effect, although there was some desultory use of some of the numbers by some of the OTUs for a short period. Despite their lack of formal activation, this block of numbers has never been re-allocated for use by other units.

Advanced Training Squadrons (550–565)

In the event of a German Invasion the Operational Training Units would have been re-formed into the Squadrons below, under plans as part of Operation Saracen, formulated in Spring 1942, which were later revised as Operation Banquet. Some reserve Squadron numbers were used by their respective OTU's during operational tasks until at least May 1944.^[3]

No. 550 Squadron RAF – Air Fighting Development Unit (Banquet)
No. 551 Squadron RAF – 51 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 552 Squadron RAF – 51 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 553 Squadron RAF – 53 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 554 Squadron RAF – 53 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 555 Squadron RAF – 55 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 556 Squadron RAF – 56 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 557 Squadron RAF – 57 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 558 Squadron RAF – 58 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 559 Squadron RAF – 59 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 560 Squadron RAF – 56 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
No. 561 Squadron RAF – 61 Operational Training Unit (Saracen and Banquet)
No. 562 Squadron RAF – 57 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
No. 563 Squadron RAF – 58 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
No. 564 Squadron RAF – 59 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)
No. 565 Squadron RAF – 61 Operational Training Unit (Banquet)

Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadrons (600–616)

Note: No. 606 Squadron RAF was allocated Squadron codes BG for the period April to September 1939, but was not formed.^[3] A non-flying No. 606 Helicopter Support Squadron of the RAuxAF was later formed in 1999.^[8]

Regular RAF squadrons (Nos. 617–650)

Note: Nos. 629, 632–634, 636–638, 641–643 and 645–649 were never formed,^[9] but some were allocated Squadron codes for the period April to September 1939 – 629 (LQ), 632 (LO), 636 (VZ), 637 (UK), 638 (PZ), 641 (EV), 645 (KF), 646 (YG), 647 (ZS), 648 (YT) and 649 (HA).^[3] However a fictitious "633 Squadron" was featured in the eponymous novel and film. In addition, a fictitious 641 Squadron featured in the film "Mosquito Squadron". Also, RAF Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (formerly Volunteer Gliding Schools until 2005) have been numbered in the range 611 to 671 since 1955.

Air Observation Post squadrons

These squadrons were formed during the Second World War to perform artillery spotting and liaison roles, in co-operation with Army units. Most AOP squadron aircrew were provided by the Army. Nos. 661–664 and 666 Squadron were re-formed as Royal Auxiliary Air Force units in 1949. Nos. 651, 652 and 656 Squadron were transferred to the Army Air Corps in 1957.^[10]

No. 651 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 652 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 653 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 654 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 655 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 656 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 657 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 658 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 659 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 660 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 661 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 662 (AOP) Squadron RAF
No. 663 (AOP) Squadron RAF (Polish)
No. 664 (AOP) Squadron RCAF (Canadian) – reformed in 1949 as No. 664 Squadron RAuxAF
No. 665 (AOP) Squadron RCAF (Canadian)
No. 666 (AOP) Squadron RCAF (Canadian) – reformed in 1949 as No. 666 Squadron RAuxAF

Regular RAF squadrons (Nos. 667–695)

Note: Nos. 693–694 and 696–699 Squadrons were never formed.^[9]

Fleet Air Arm squadrons

Main article: List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft squadrons

While still under the control of the RAF, flights of the Fleet Air Arm were organized into squadrons with numbers in the 700 and 800 range. The range 700 to 750 had been previously used for Fleet Air Arm Catapult Flight numbers.^[11]

These squadrons were transferred to the Royal Navy in 1939, becoming Naval Air Squadrons (NAS).^[12] The 700 and 800 range of squadron numbers continued to be used by the Royal Navy for newly formed Naval Air Squadrons.

Training Depot Stations

Training Depot Stations (TDS) were still in use after the formation of the RAF in 1918.^[13]

No. 1 Training Depot Station
No. 2 Training Depot Station
No. 3 Training Depot Station
No. 4 Training Depot Station
No. 5 Training Depot Station
No. 6 Training Depot Station
No. 7 Training Depot Station
No. 8 Training Depot Station
No. 9 Training Depot Station
No. 10 Training Depot Station
No. 11 Training Depot Station
No. 12 Training Depot Station
No. 13 Training Depot Station
No. 14 Training Depot Station
No. 15 Training Depot Station
No. 16 Training Depot Station
No. 17 Training Depot Station
No. 18 Training Depot Station
No. 19 Training Depot Station
No. 20 Training Depot Station
No. 21 Training Depot Station
No. 22 Training Depot Station
No. 23 Training Depot Station
No. 24 Training Depot Station
No. 25 Training Depot Station
No. 26 Training Depot Station
No. 27 Training Depot Station
No. 28 Training Depot Station
No. 29 Training Depot Station
No. 30 Training Depot Station
No. 31 Training Depot Station
No. 32 Training Depot Station
No. 33 Training Depot Station
No. 34 Training Depot Station
No. 35 Training Depot Station
No. 36 Training Depot Station
No. 37 Training Depot Station
No. 38 Training Depot Station
No. 39 Training Depot Station
No. 40 Training Depot Station
No. 41 Training Depot Station
No. 42 Training Depot Station
No. 43 Training Depot Station
No. 44 Training Depot Station
No. 45 Training Depot Station
No. 46 Training Depot Station
No. 47 Training Depot Station
No. 48 Training Depot Station
No. 49 Training Depot Station
No. 50 Training Depot Station
No. 51 Training Depot Station
No. 52 Training Depot Station
No. 53 Training Depot Station
No. 54 Training Depot Station
No. 55 Training Depot Station
No. 56 Training Depot Station
No. 57 Training Depot Station
No. 58 Training Depot Station
No. 59 Training Depot Station
No. 60 Training Depot Station
No. 61 Training Depot Station
No. 98 Depot Squadron
No. 99 Depot Squadron
No. 190 (Depot) Squadron
No. 191 (Depot) Squadron
No. 192 (Depot) Squadron
No. 198 (Depot) Squadron
No. 199 (Depot) Squadron
No. 201 Training Depot Station
No. 202 Training Depot Station
No. 203 Training Depot Station
No. 204 Training Depot Station
No. 205 Training Depot Station
No. 206 Training Depot Station
No. 207 Training Depot Station
No. 208 (Temporary) Training Depot Station
No. 209 (Seaplane) Training Depot Station
No. 210 Training Depot Station
No. 211 Training Depot Station
No. 212 Training Depot Station
No. 213 Training Depot Station

University Air Squadrons

The majority of Universities in the United Kingdom are, or have been, represented by University Air Squadrons where under-graduates can sample the Royal Air Force and learn to fly, as well as take advantage of scholarship schemes. They operate the Tutor T.1.

Aberdeen University Air Squadron
Aberystwyth University Air Squadron
Aberdeen, Dundee and St. Andrews University Air Squadron
Belfast University Air Squadron
Birmingham University Air Squadron
Bristol University Air Squadron - (RAF Colerne)
Cambridge University Air Squadron - (RAF Wittering)
Cardiff University Air Squadron
Derby University Air Squadron
Durham University Air Squadron
East Lowlands University Air Squadron
East Midlands University Air Squadron - (RAF Wittering)
East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron - (Glasgow Airport)
Edinburgh University Air Squadron
Exeter University Air Squadron
Glasgow University Air Squadron
Hull University Air Squadron
Leeds University Air Squadron
Liverpool University Air Squadron - (RAF Woodvale)
London University Air Squadron
Manchester and Salford Universities Air Squadron - (RAF Woodvale)
Manchester University Air Squadron
Northern Ireland University Air Squadron - (JHFS Aldergrove)
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron - (RAF Leeming)
Nottingham University Air Squadron
Oxford University Air Squadron - (RAF Benson)
Perth University Air Squadron
Queen's University Air Squadron
St. Andrews University Air Squadron
St. Andrews and Dundee Universities Air Squadron
Southampton University Air Squadron - (MOD Boscombe Down)
Swansea University Air Squadron
Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadron - (Leuchars Station)
University of Birmingham Air Squadron - (RAF Cosford)
University of Liverpool Air Squadron
University of London Air Squadron - (RAF Wittering)
University of Wales Air Squadron - (MOD St Athan)
Wales University Air Squadron
Wolverhampton University Air Squadron
Yatesbury University Air Squadron
Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron - (RAF Linton-on-Ouse)

Volunteer Gliding Squadrons

Main article: Volunteer Gliding Squadron

Initially formed as Volunteer Gliding Schools, these squadrons retained their gliding school numbers when reformed as squadrons. Conflicts with the main Squadron numbers resolved by the VGS suffix. Conventional Squadrons operate the Viking TX.1 glider and powered Squadrons fly the Vigilant T.1 motor glider.

611 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 102 GS - (RAF Honington)
612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 104 GS - (Dalton Barracks)
613 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly C122 GS - (RAF Halton)
614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly142 GS, 146 GS and 147 GS - (MDPGA Wethersfield) - Viking
615 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 141 GS and 168 GS - (RAF Kenley) - Viking
616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 106 GS - (RAF Henlow)
617 Volunteer Gliding Squadron
618 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 146 GS and 168 GS - (RAF Odiham)
621 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (RAF Hullavington) - Viking
622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 89 GS - (Trenchard Lines) - Viking
624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 84 GS - (RMB Chivenor)
625 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 83 GS
626 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 82 GS - (RNAS Predannack) - Viking
631 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 186 GS - (RAF Woodvale)
632 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 45 GS - (RAF Ternhill)
633 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (RAF Cosford)
634 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 68 GS - (MOD St Athan)
635 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (RAF Topcliffe)
636 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (Swansea Airport)
637 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (RAF Little Rissington)
642 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 23 GS (RAF Linton-on-Ouse)
643 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 107 EGS (merged with 644 VGS)
644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 29 EGS - (RAF Syerston) - Viking
645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 26 GS - (RAF Topcliffe)
661 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 1 EGS - (RAF Kirknewton)
662 Volunteer Gliding Squadron formerly 2 GS and 5 GS - (RM Condor)
663 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (RAF Kinloss)
664 Volunteer Gliding Squadron - (Newtownards)

HQ No. 2 Flying Training School RAF - (RAF Syerston)
Central Gliding School - (RAF Syerston)

Independent Flights

The RAF maintains a number of independent flights, some on a permanent basis, others on an ad-hoc basis as required. For a full list, see List of Royal Air Force aircraft independent flights.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - 7 x Spitfire (various Marks), 2 x Hurricane, 1 x Lancaster, 2 x Dakota, 2 x Chipmunk - (RAF Coningsby)
1435 Flight - 4 x Typhoon FGR.4 (Faith, Hope, Charity & Desperation) - (RAF Mount Pleasant)
1310 Flight - Puma HC.2 - (Kabul International Airport)
1312 Flight - 1 x Voyager KC.2, 1 x Hercules C.3 - (RAF Mount Pleasant)
1564 Flight - 2 x Sea King HAR.3 - (RAF Mount Pleasant)

Air Experience Flights

These units are co-located with UAS units (or regular Air Force units) to pool resources and share aircraft. Air Experience Flights provide flying experience to Air Cadets and CCF cadets.

No. 1 Air Experience Flight - (MOD St Athan) - Wales UAS
No. 2 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Boscombe Down) - Southampton UAS
No. 3 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Colerne) - Bristol UAS
No. 4 Air Experience Flight - (Glasgow Airport) - Glasgow & Strathclyde UAS
No. 5 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Wittering) - London/Cambridge/East Midlands UAS
No. 6 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Benson) - Oxford UAS
No. 7 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Cranwell)
No. 8 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Cosford) - Birmingham UAS
No. 9 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Linton-on-Ouse) - Yorkshire UAS
No. 10 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Woodvale) - Liverpool/Manchester UAS
No. 11 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Leeming) - Northumbria UAS
No. 12 Air Experience Flight - (RAF Leuchars) - East of Scotland UAS

Other Squadrons

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

The Royal Air force and Royal flying corps has always comprised a certain number of non-numbered Squadrons to fulfil special duties, experimental or one-off tasks.

Air Command Southeast Asia (Internal Air Service) Squadron
Air Council Inspection Squadron
Air Despatch Letter Service Squadron
Air Training Squadron
All-Weather Development Squadron
All-Weather Fighter Combat Squadron
Andover Training Squadron
Antler Squadron
Arrow Squadron
Artillery Co-operation Squadron
Auxiliary Fighter Squadron (Malaya)
Auxiliary Fighter Squadron (Singapore)
Singapore Squadron
B-29 Training Squadron
Burmese Conversion Squadron
Composite Fighting Squadron
Composite Royal Naval Air service/Royal Flying Corps Squadron
Communications Electronics Basic Training Squadron
Demonstration Squadron
Development Squadron, Gosport
Elementary Flying Training Squadron
Experimental Armament Squadron
Far East Air Force Examining Squadron
Far East Air Force Training Squadron
Ferry Squadron
Ferry Support Squadron
Floatplane Training Squadron
Flying Selection Squadron
Glider Exercise Squadron
Glider Training Squadron
Ground Controlled Approach Squadron
Guided Weapons Development Squadron
No.1 Guided Weapons Trials Squadron
Headquarters Service Ferry Pools/Squadron
Home Defence Squadron
Hong Kong Auxiliary Squadron
Hong Kong Fighter Squadron
Javelin Instrument Rating Squadron
Joint Trials and Training Squadron
Kuala Lumpur Fighter Squadron
Kuala Lumpur Squadron
Low Level and Air Defence Training Squadron - See No. 6 Flying Training School RAF
No. 44 Mobile Air Movements Squadron
No. 45 Mobile Air Movements Squadron
Multi-Engine Training Squadron - See No. 6 Flying Training School RAF
Nimrod Line Squadron
Parachute Exercise Squadron
Penang Squadron
Penang Fighter Squadron
Radar Research Squadron
Refresher Flying Squadron
Reserve Training Squadron
Royal Air Force College Air Squadron
Royal Naval Fighter Squadron
Seaplane Squadron, Alexandria
Seaplane Squadron, Port Said
Seaplane Training Squadron
Sentry Training Squadron
Service Ferry Squadron
Service Ferry Training Squadron
Signals Command Development Squadron
Signals Squadron
Southeast Asia (Internal Air Service) Squadron
Special Installation Squadron
Special Transport Squadron
No. 1 Torpedo Training Squadron
Training Squadron, Sylt
Western Union Examining Squadron
UK Mobile Air Movements Squadron
No. 1435 Squadron RAF
'B' Squadron
'B' Squadron, Aegean
'C' Squadron, Aegean
'D' Squadron, Aegean
'S' Squadron
'T' Squadron, Egypt
'X' (Canadian) Reserve Squadron
'X' Squadron
'X' Squadron, Egypt
'Y' (Canadian) Reserve Squadron
'Y' Squadron, Egypt - See No. 4 Flying Training School RAF
'Y' Squadron, Iraq - See No. 4 Flying Training School RAF
'Z' Squadron, Aegean
'Z' Squadron, Egypt

Communication Squadrons

To allow rapid transport of Air Officers, staff and other important people many units and Headquarters operated communication Sections, Flights, Squadrons or wings.

Aden Communication Squadron
Aden Protectorate Communication and Support Squadron
Air Command Far East and Air Headquarters Malaya Communication Squadron
Air Component Field Force Communication Squadron
Air Defence of Great Britain Communication Squadron
Air Division Communication Squadron
Air Forces Gulf Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters Burma Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters East Africa Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters Hong Kong Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters India Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters Italy Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters Malaya Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters Malta Communication Squadron
Air Headquarters Netherlands East Indies Communication Squadron
Allied Air Forces Central Europe Communication Squadron
Allied Expeditionary Air Force Communication Squadron
2nd Allied Tactical Air Force Communication Squadron
Base Air Forces, Southeast Asia Communication Squadron
Bengal/Burma Communication Squadron
Bomber Command Communication Squadron
Bomber/Fighter/Coastal Command Communication Squadron
British Air Forces of Occupation Communication Squadron
British Air Forces Southeast Asia Communication Squadron
British Commonwealth Air Communication Squadron
Burma Communication Squadron
Coastal Command Communication Squadron
Colerne Communication Squadron
Communication Squadron, GHQ Royal Flying Corps, France
Communication Squadron, GHQ Royal Air Force, France
Communication Squadron, Hendon
Far East Communication Squadron
Fighter Command Communication Squadron
Flying Training Command Communication Squadron
No. 2 Group Communication Squadron
No. 83 Group Communication Squadron
No. 84 Group Communication Squadron (Air 29/2354)
No. 85 Group Communication Squadron
No. 88 Group Communication Squadron
No. 221 Group Communication Squadron
No. 232 Group Communication Squadron
No. 238 Group Communication Squadron
Headquarters Air Command Southeast Asia (Communication) Squadron
Headquarters British Forces Aden Communication Squadron
Headquarters Communication Squadron, Royal Air Force
Headquarters Communication Squadron, Royal Flying Corps
Headquarters Middle East Air Force Communication Squadron
Headquarters Middle East Communication Squadron
Headquarters Royal Air Force Burma Communication Squadron
Headquarters Royal Air Force Northern Ireland Communication Squadron
Home Command Communication Squadron
Maintenance Command Communication Squadron
Maintenance Command Communication and Ferry Squadron
Malaya Communication Squadron
Malta Communication and Target Towing Squadron
Mediterranean and Middle East Communication Squadron
Metropolitan Communication Squadron
Middle East Communication Squadron
Northern Communication Squadron
Reserve Command Communication Squadron
Royal Air Force Bengal/Burma Communication Squadron
Royal Air Force Germany Communication Squadron
Southeast Asia Communication Squadron
Southern Communication Squadron
Strike Command Communication Squadron
Special Communication Squadron
No. 1 (Communication) Squadron
No. 2 (Communication) Squadron
No. 3 (Communication) Squadron
No. 4 (Communication) Squadron
No. 5 (Communication) Squadron
No. 6 (Communication) Squadron
No. 7 (Communication) Squadron
No. 8 (Communication) Squadron
Supreme Commander's Headquarters (Air) Communication Squadron
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (RAF) Communication Squadron
Tactical Air Force (Burma) Communication Squadron
2nd Tactical Air Force Communication Squadron
3rd Tactical Air Force Communication Squadron
2nd Tactical Communication Squadron
Training Commands Communication Squadron
Transport Command Communication Squadron
Turnhouse Communication Squadron
West Africa Command Communication Squadron
West Africa Communication Squadron
West Africa Transport and Communication Squadron
Western Communication Squadron
No. 85 Wing Communication Squadron

Barrage Balloon Squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force

No. 901 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 902 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 903 (County of London) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 904 (County of Surrey) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 905 (County of Surrey) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 906 (County of Middlesex) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 907 (County of Middlesex) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 908 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 909 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 910 (County of Essex) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 911 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 912 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 913 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 914 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 915 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 916 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 917 (County of Warwick) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 918 (County of Derby) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 919 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 920 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 921 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 922 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 923 (West Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 924 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 925 (East Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 926 (East Lancashire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 927 (County of Gloucester) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 928 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 929 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 930 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 931 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 932 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 933 (Hampshire) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 934 (County of Devon) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 935 (County of Glamorgan) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 936 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 937 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 936/937 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 938 (County of Northumberland) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 939 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 940 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 941 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 942 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 943 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 942/943 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 944 (East Riding) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 945 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 946 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 947 (City of Glasgow) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 948 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 949 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 950 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 951 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 952 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 953 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 954 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 955 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 956 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 957 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 958 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 959 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 960 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 961 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 962 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 963 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 964 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 965 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 966 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 967 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 968 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 969 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 970 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 971 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 972 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 973 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 974 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 975 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 976 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 977 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 978 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 979 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 980 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 981 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 982 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 983 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 984 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 985 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 986 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 987 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 988 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 989 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 990 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 991 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 992 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 993 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 994 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 995 (Mobile) Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 996 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 997 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 998 Balloon Squadron AAF
No. 999 Balloon Squadron AAF

^[14]

Squadron codes

Main article: List of RAF Squadron Codes

Most units of the Royal Air Force are identified by alphabetical (or similar) characters, known as a "squadron code", that is painted on all aircraft belonging to that unit. When individual units are assigned unusually large numbers of aircraft, multiple squadron codes have been used.

Other air forces, especially those from other Commonwealth countries, have often used similar systems of identification. During the Second World War, when units from other air forces were attached to the RAF – such as the Article XV squadrons (also known as "400 series squadrons") – their squadron codes were often changed, to avoid confusion with RAF units.

Historically, the codes have usually been two letters of the alphabet, painted on the rear fuselage next to the RAF roundel. These formed a suffix or prefix to the call sign of each aircraft (on the other side of the roundel) which was usually a single letter (e. g. "G for George"). In general, when an aircraft is lost or withdrawn from use, its call sign has been applied to its replacement or another aircraft.

Notes

References

Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
Lake, Alan. "Flying Units of the RAF".Airlife Publishing. Shrewsbury. 1999. ISBN 1-84037-086-6

External links

a list of current squadrons from the RAF website

Royal Air Force

Royal Air Force portal

Formations and units	Commands Groups Stations Wings Squadrons Flights Conversion units Operational Training units Schools / Training units Ferry units Glider units Misc units Regiment squadrons

Branches and components	RAF Regiment RAF Chaplains Branch RAF Intelligence RAF Legal Branch RAF Medical Services Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service RAF Police Search and Rescue Force Mountain Rescue Service RAF Marine Branch

Reserve forces	Royal Auxiliary Air Force RAF Volunteer Reserve

Associated civil organizations	Air Training Corps RAF Association RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine RAF Football Association

Equipment	List of RAF aircraft List of RAF missiles

Personnel	Officer ranks Other ranks List of personnel

Appointments	Chief of Air Staff Assistant Chief of the Air Staff Air Member for Personnel Air Secretary Air Member for Materiel Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment Chief of the Air Staff's Warrant Officer

Symbols and uniform	Ensign Badge Roundels Uniform

History Timeline Future

Royal Air Force flying squadrons

Currently active

Inactive

Australian Flying Corps (AFC) units attached
to the RAF during the First World War

67 (1 Sqn AFC)
68 (2 Sqn AFC)
69 (3 Sqn AFC)
71 (4 Sqn AFC)

Commonwealth air force units attached to
the RAF during the Second World War

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)	400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)	450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 466 467

Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)	485 486 487 488 489 490

Squadrons formed from non-Commonwealth
personnel during the Second World War

Argentine	164

Belgian	349 350

Czechoslovak	310 311 312 313

Dutch	320 321 322

French	326 327 328 329 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347

Greek	13 335 336

Norwegian	330 331 332 333 334

Polish	300 301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 315 316 317 318 663

United States	71 121 133

Yugoslav	351 352

Royal Auxiliary Air Force

Special Reserve	500 501 502 503 504

Auxiliary Air Force	600 601 602 603 604 605 606 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616

Fleet Air Arm of the RAF (1924–1939)

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