No. 16 Squadron RAF


No. 16 Squadron is a flying squadron of the Royal Air Force. It formed in 1915 at Saint-Omer to carry out a mixture of offensive patrolling and reconnaissance and was disbanded in 1919 with the end of the First World War. The squadron reformed on 1 April 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 GR.1 from 1984 the squadron took part in the Gulf War in 1990. It was again disbanded in September 1991, before reforming in November 1991 as the Operational Conversion Unit for the Jaguar. With the Jaguar's imminent withdrawal from service, the squadron disbanded once more in 2005. 16 Squadron reformed again and took on its current role on 1 October 2008. Based at RAF Wittering, it instructs pilots in elementary flying using the Tutor.

History

Early years

The Squadron was formed at Saint-Omer, France on 10 February 1915 from elements of Nos. 2, 6 and 9 Squadrons. It immediately began fighting in the First World War under Hugh Dowding. In September 1915 the author Duncan Grinell-Milne joined the squadron as a junior pilot. In 1933 he published an account of his time in the squadron. His portrait of Dowding is by no means a flattering one. For the rest of the Great War, the 'Saints' were deployed throughout Northern France and operated a mixture of aircraft including Bleriot XI, Martinsyde S.1 and Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c on offensive patrol and tactical reconnaissance duties. Disbandment occurred on New Year's Eve 1919.
The squadron was reformed at Old Sarum 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.

Second World War

In May 1938 the Lysander arrived and the Squadron continued in its tactical role in wartime France from April 1940. In May 1940 it returned to England and conducted roving sea patrols searching for both downed aircrew and enemy forces.
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. On 2 June 1943 the Squadron became part of the Strategic Reconnaissance Wing of the 2nd Tactical Air Force 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.

Post war

16 Squadron was disbanded at Celle on 1 April 1946 but reformed at RAF Fassberg the same day and took the 24 cylinder H-engined Hawker Tempest Mk V on charge until converting to the radial-engined Mk II on 7 June 1946. On 7 December 1948 No. 16 took delivery of its first jet aircraft, the de Havilland Vampire FB.5, which gave way to the de Havilland Venom FB.1 in November 1954 until disbandment at Celle once more on 1 June 1957.
As East-West relations cooled, the Squadron reformed at Laarbruch on 1 March 1958. 16 Squadron maintained a permanent readiness state, tasked with meeting the Soviet threat, in the expected conventional phase and with the use of tactical nuclear weapons. The squadron was re-quipped with the Canberra B.8 armed with dual-key nuclear weapons.
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. 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.
The squadron briefly expanded in 1983-84, absorbing some aircraft and men from its sister 15 Squadron which had converted to the Panavia Tornado GR.1. 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.
Ahead of Operation GRANBY in 1990 and the first Gulf War, the squadron deployed to Tabuk airbase. No. 16 was the lead squadron in the deployment with No. 20 and crews from other Tornado GR.1 squadrons. The 'Tabuk Force' used JP233s and 1,000 lb 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. Following hostilities, the Squadron disbanded on 11 September 1991.
In November 1991, the Squadron reformed at RAF Lossiemouth as No. 16 Squadron, a reserve squadron and an Operational Conversion Unit, replacing and taking over the aircraft and weapons of 226 OCU, training and converting new pilots for the 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.
Although a non-operational squadron, its pilots were still involved in Operation DENY FLIGHT and Operation NORTHERN WATCH. The Squadron moved to Coltishall in the summer of 2000 but disbanded on 11 March 2005 as the Jaguar approached retirement. The Squadron Standard was laid up in Notre-Dame Cathedral Saint-Omer, France on 20 March 2005.

Elementary Flying Training

On 1 October 2008, the Squadron was reformed at RAF Cranwell as part of 22 Group operating the Grob Tutor. 16 Squadron continues its training role by instructing new Royal Air Force pilots in Elementary Flying Training as part of No.1 Elementary Flying Training School. From 2005 to 2008 the unit was previously known as 1 Squadron, 1 EFTS following a restructuring of the RAF's pilot training. 16 Squadron instructs the RAF's new pilots and some pilots from overseas. The Squadrons' role is to provide pilots to the more advanced flying training courses on their way to earning the coveted pilot wings and joining the front line. 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; his father was also taught to fly at RAF Cranwell in 1971.

Aircraft operated

Aircraft operated included:
FromToManufacturerAircraft
February 1915March 1915Royal Aircraft FactoryR.E.5
February 1915March 1915VickersF.B.5
February 1915March 1915BlériotXI
February 1915May 1915MartinsydeS.1
March 1915May 1915VoisinIII
March 1915May 1917Royal Aircraft FactoryB.E.2c
May 1915November 1917Farman Aviation WorksS.11
March 1915December 1919Royal Aircraft FactoryR.E.8
19241931Bristol Aeroplane CompanyF.2 Fighter
19311934Armstrong WhitworthAtlas
19341938HawkerAudax
19381942WestlandLysander
19421944North American AviationMustang
19441946SupermarineSpitfire Mk.XI
19461948HawkerTempest V
19481948HawkerTempest II
19481954de HavillandVampire FB.5
19541957de HavillandVenom FB.1
19581972English ElectricCanberra B.8
19721984BlackburnBuccaneer S.2B
19841991PanaviaTornado GR.1
19912005SEPECATJaguar GR.1 and GR.3
2008PresentGrobTutor

Commanding officers

Commanding officers included:
FromToRankName
8 February 191523 July 1915MajorF V Holt
23 July 1915January 1916MajorH C T Dowding
January 19165 August 1916MajorD W Powell
5 August 191616 June 1917MajorP C Maltby
16 June 1918June 1918MajorC F A Portal DSO and Bar MC
June 19181919MajorA W C V Parr
19241925Squadron LeaderJ O Archer CBE
19251928Squadron LeaderW A Coryton MVO
19281931Squadron LeaderD O Mulholland AFC
19311933Squadron LeaderA R Churchman DFC
19331934Squadron LeaderJ R I Scrambler AFC
19341936Squadron LeaderR P Musgrave-Whitman OBE MC
19361938Squadron LeaderT Humble
19381939Squadron LeaderR E S Skelton
19401940Wing CommanderT Humble
19401941Wing CommanderR C Hancock
19411942Wing CommanderP W Stansfeld
19421942Wing CommanderA F Pallot
19421943Wing CommanderJ R Davenport
19431943Wing CommanderR I M Bowen DFC
19431943Squadron LeaderMackie
19431944Squadron LeaderE M Goodale DSO
19441945Squadron LeaderA N Davis DFC
19451946Squadron LeaderA S Baker DFC
19461948Squadron LeaderD C Usher DFC DFM
19481948Squadron LeaderR E Mooney
19481949Squadron LeaderL A Malins DSO DFC
19491951Squadron LeaderL H Lambert DFC AFC
19511952Squadron LeaderJ E J Sing DFC
19521952Squadron LeaderR H Benwell
19521954Squadron LeaderR U P De Burgh
19541956Squadron LeaderG G G Walkington
19561956Squadron LeaderC E Keay
19561958Flight LieutenantH E Clements
19581960Wing CommanderJ R Forsythe DFC
19601963Wing CommanderJ E Holland DFC
19631964Wing CommanderJ V Horwood
19641966Wing CommanderA L Bennett
19661968Wing CommanderJ C Newby
19681970Wing CommanderL C Swalwell
19701973Wing CommanderK J Appleboom
19731975Wing CommanderR A Edwards
19751977Wing CommanderW I C Stoker
19771980Wing CommanderD Cousins AFC
19801983Wing CommanderP C Norriss
19831984Wing CommanderE R Cox
19841986Wing CommanderR H Goodall AFC
19861988Wing CommanderR F R Carr
19881991Wing CommanderI Travers Smith DSO
19911992Wing CommanderN C Rusling
19921995Wing CommanderJ W White
19951997Wing CommanderB W Newby AFC
19972000Wing CommanderA J Sudlow MBE
20002002Wing CommanderP Allan
20022005Wing CommanderG Stockill
20082009Squadron LeaderI S Smith
20092013Squadron LeaderS J Foote
20132015Squadron LeaderF C J Parkinson
20152017Squadron LeaderC A Melen CSM
2017PresentSquadron LeaderM Pickles

Stations

Stations included:
FromToLocationNotes
10 February 19155 March 1915Saint-OmerFormation.
6 March 191531 May 1915La GorgueDetachment to Aire.
Battle of Neuve Chapelle began 10 March 1915.
1 June 191517 July 1915Choques
18 July 191511 December 1915MervilleBattle of Loos between 25 and 28 September 1915.
12 December 191530 August 1916La Gorgue
31 August 191624 May 1917BruayBattle of the Somme between 1 July and 18 November 1916.
25 May 191720 October 1918Camblain-l'Abbe
21 October 191824 October 1918La Brayelle
25 October 191813 February 1918Auchy
14 February 191831 December 1918FowlmereDisbanded following cessation of hostilities.
1 April 192416 February 1940Old SarumReformed as Army co-operation squadron.
1938 - First squadron to operate the Lysander.
17 February 194012 April 1940Hawkinge
13 April 194013 April 1940Amiens
14 April 194018 May 1940BertanglesBattle of France commenced 10 May 1940.
19 May 19402 June 1940LympneDunkirk evacuation between 26 May and 4 June 1940.
3 June 194028 June 1940RedhillFirst RAF squadron to operate there.
29 June 19402 August 1940Cambridge
3 August 194014 August 1940OkehamptonDetachment to Cambridge.
15 August 19403 June 1941Western ZoylandDetachments to Okehampton, Roborough, RAF Tilshead, St Just and Bolt Head.
Battle of Britain occurred between 10 July and 31 October 1940.
4 June 19415 June 1941Okehampton
6 June 19418 September 1941Weston ZoylandDetachments to Lee-on-Solent and RAF Tilshead.
9 September 194110 September 1941Okehampton
11 September 194124 September 1941Weston Zoyland
25 September 19412 October 1941Thruxton
3 October 194122 November 1941Weston ZoylandDetachment to Farnborough.
23 November 194126 November 1941Lympne
27 November 194131 December 1942Weston ZoylandDetachment to Okehampton.
1 January 194325 February 1943Andover
26 February 194312 March 1943Ford
13 March 19435 April 1943Andover
6 April 19438 April 1943Weston Zoyland
9 April 194315 May 1943Andover
16 May 194321 May 1943Weston Zoyland
22 May 194331 May 1943Andover
1 June 194328 June 1943Middle Wallop
29 June 194315 April 1944Hartford BridgeOperated in Strategic Reconnaissance Wing of the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
16 April 194419 September 1945NortholtD-Day on 6 June 1944. Based several ALGs as part of 2TAF. Disbanded following cessation of hostilities.
19 September 19451 April 1946CelleReformed and disbanded. Renumbered from 268 Squadron.
1 April 194631 May 1946FassbergReformed from 56 Squadron.
1 June 194611 June 1946Manston
12 June 194620 June 1946Fassberg
21 June 194613 July 1946Sylt
14 July 19464 September 1946Fassberg
5 September 194615 September 1946Manston
16 September 19463 February 1947Fassberg
4 February 194720 March 1947Gatow
21 March 19477 May 1947Fassberg
8 May 194719 May 1947Ahlhorn
20 May 194712 July 1947Fassberg
13 July 194711 August 1947Zeltweg
12 August 19475 October 1947Fassberg
6 October 194716 October 1947Middle Wallop
17 October 19472 November 1947Fassberg
3 November 194723 November 1947Lübeck
24 November 194731 November 1947Fassberg
1 December 19475 January 1948Gütersloh
6 January 19481 February 1948Gatow
2 February 194813 July 1948GüterslohBerlin Airlift begins on 24 June 1948.
14 July 19486 August 1948Lübeck
7 August 19481 November 1950GüterslohBerlin Airlift ends 11 May 1949.
2 November 19501 June 1957CelleDisbanded.
1 March 19586 June 1972LaarbruchCuban Missile Crisis between 8 and 28 October 1962.
8 Jan 197329 Feb 1984Laarbruch
1 Mar 198411 Sep 1991LaarbruchSquadron took part in Operation GRANBY.
1 November 199120 July 2000LossiemouthBecame a Reserve squadron as Jaguar OCU.
21 July 200011 March 2005ColtishallColtishall, the last surviving operational RAF base involved in the Battle of Britain, closed on 30 November 2006.
1 October 200816 May 2015CranwellElementary flying training.
16 May 2015PresentWitteringElementary flying training.