Flying squadron of the Royal Air Force
53°01′39″N
0°28′40″W
/
53.02743°N 0.47773°W
/
53.02743; -0.47773
Military unit
Number 16 Squadron Royal Air Force
, nicknamed 'the Saints', is a
flying squadron
of the
Royal Air Force
(RAF) who currently provide
elementary flying training
(EFT) with the
Grob Tutor T1
, presently based at
RAF Wittering
, an RAF
airbase
in Cambridgeshire, England.
[3]
It originally formed as a
squadron
of the
Royal Flying Corps
(RFC) on 10 February 1915
; 109 years ago
(
1915-02-10
)
, at
Saint-Omer
, France, 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 as part of the recently formed
Royal Air Force
(RAF) on 1 April 1924
; 100 years ago
(
1924-04-01
)
, 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 again disbanded in September
1991
, before reforming in November 1991 as the
operational conversion unit
(OCU) for the
Jaguar
. With the Jaguar's imminent withdrawal from service, the squadron disbanded once more in
2005
. No. 16 Squadron reformed again and took on its current role on 1 October 2008
; 15 years ago
(
2008-10-01
)
.
History
[
edit
]
Early years
[
edit
]
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.
The
squadron
was formed at
Saint-Omer
, France on 10 February 1915
; 109 years ago
(
1915-02-10
)
, from elements of Numbers.
2
,
6
, and
9
Squadrons. It immediately began fighting in the First World War under
Hugh Dowding
,
[4]
and for some time was based at the aerodrome at the
Beaupre-sur-la-Lys Abbey
in
La Gorgue
.
[5]
For the rest of the Great War, the 'Saints'
[6]
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.
[7]
Disbandment occurred on New Year's Eve 1919.
[8]
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
; 100 years ago
(
1924-04-01
)
. Initially, it operated the
Bristol Fighter
, but this was replaced by the
Atlas
in January
1931
, and by the
Audax
in December
1933
.
[8]
Second World War
[
edit
]
North American Mustang I
AG346, as used by 16 Squadron in 1944.
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
; 81 years ago
(
1943-06-02
)
, 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]
Cold War (1946?1991)
[
edit
]
No. 16 Squadron
English Electric Canberra B(I)8
XM275 in
1972
wearing shark mouth
nose art
.
No. 16 Squadron was disbanded at
RAF Celle
on 1 April 1946
; 78 years ago
(
1946-04-01
)
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
; 75 years ago
(
1948-12-07
)
, the squadron took delivery of its first
jet engined
aircraft, the
de Havilland Vampire FB.5
, which subsequently gave way to the
de Havilland Venom FB.1
in November
1954
until disbandment at Celle once more on 1 June 1957
; 67 years ago
(
1957-06-01
)
.
[8]
Buccaneer S.2B
XW526 of No. 16 Squadron in 1977 (this aircraft was lost over
West Germany
in July 1979.)
As East-West relations cooled, the Squadron reformed at
RAF Laarbruch
in
West Germany
on 1 March 1958
; 66 years ago
(
1958-03-01
)
. No. 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(I).8
armed with the
WE.177
, a
dual-key
free-fall
nuclear bomb
.
[8]
The Canberra gave way to the
Buccaneer S.2B
on 16 October 1972
; 51 years ago
(
1972-10-16
)
. 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
Tabuk
airbase
. 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
; 32 years ago
(
1991-09-11
)
.
[17]
SEPECAT Jaguar (1991?2005)
[
edit
]
SEPECAT Jaguar GR1A
XX116 of No. 16(R) Squadron in a commemorative livery, displaying 'the Saint' on its tail fin, 1995.
On 1 November 1991
; 32 years ago
(
1991-11-01
)
, 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]
Although a non-operational squadron, its pilots were still involved in
Operation DENY FLIGHT
and
Operation NORTHERN WATCH
. The squadron moved to
RAF Coltishall
in
Norfolk
, on 21 July
2000
, thus consolidating the RAF's entire Jaguar force at one
airbase
, joining numbers
6
,
41
, and
54
squadrons.
[8]
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
; 19 years ago
(
2005-03-11
)
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)
[
edit
]
On 1 October 2008
; 15 years ago
(
2008-10-01
)
, 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]
his
father
was also taught to fly at RAF Cranwell in
1971
.
[33]
In the first half of
2015
, No. 16(R) Squadron, along with
No. 115(R) Squadron
relocated to
RAF Wittering
,
Cambridgeshire
, which saw flying return to the base for the first time since
2010
.
[34]
Aircraft operated
[
edit
]
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.
Aircraft operated included:
Commanding officers
[
edit
]
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.
Commanding officers included:
Officer commanding, No. 16 Squadron RFC / RAF
date from
|
date to
|
rank
|
name
|
8 February 1915
|
23 July 1915
|
Major
|
F V Holt
[35]
|
23 July 1915
|
January 1916
|
Major
|
H C T Dowding
[36]
|
January 1916
|
5 August 1916
|
Major
|
D W Powell
[37]
|
5 August 1916
|
16 June 1917
|
Major
|
P C Maltby
[38]
|
16 June 1918
|
June 1918
|
Major
|
C F A Portal
,
[39]
DSO
and
Bar
,
MC
|
June 1918
|
1919
|
Major
|
A W C V Parr
|
1924
|
1925
|
Squadron leader
|
J O Archer,
CBE
|
1925
|
1928
|
Squadron leader
|
W A Coryton
,
[40]
MVO
|
1928
|
1931
|
Squadron leader
|
D O Mulholland,
AFC
|
1931
|
1933
|
Squadron leader
|
A R Churchman,
[41]
DFC
|
1933
|
1934
|
Squadron leader
|
J R I Scrambler,
AFC
|
1934
|
1936
|
Squadron leader
|
R P Musgrave-Whitman,
OBE
,
MC
|
1936
|
1938
|
Squadron leader
|
T Humble
|
1938
|
1939
|
Squadron leader
|
R E S Skelton
|
1940
|
1940
|
Wing commander
|
T Humble
|
1940
|
1941
|
Wing commander
|
R C Hancock
|
1941
|
1942
|
Wing commander
|
P W Stansfeld
|
1942
|
1942
|
Wing commander
|
A F Pallot
|
1942
|
1943
|
Wing commander
|
J R Davenport
|
1943
|
1943
|
Wing commander
|
R I M Bowen,
DFC
|
1943
|
1943
|
Squadron leader
|
Mackie
|
1943
|
1944
|
Squadron leader
|
E M Goodale,
DSO
|
1944
|
1945
|
Squadron leader
|
A N Davis
,
DFC
|
1945
|
1946
|
Squadron leader
|
A S Baker,
DFC
|
1946
|
1948
|
Squadron leader
|
D C Usher,
DFC
,
DFM
|
1948
|
1948
|
Squadron leader
|
R E Mooney
|
1948
|
1949
|
Squadron leader
|
L A Malins,
DSO
,
DFC
|
1949
|
1951
|
Squadron leader
|
L H Lambert,
DFC
,
AFC
|
1951
|
1952
|
Squadron leader
|
J E J Sing,
DFC
|
1952
|
1952
|
Squadron leader
|
R H Benwell
|
1952
|
1954
|
Squadron leader
|
R U P De Burgh
|
1954
|
1956
|
Squadron leader
|
G G G Walkington
|
1956
|
1956
|
Squadron leader
|
C E Keay
|
1956
|
1958
|
Flight lieutenant
|
H E Clements
|
1958
|
1960
|
Wing commander
|
J R Forsythe,
[42]
DFC
|
1960
|
1963
|
Wing commander
|
J E Holland,
DFC
|
1963
|
1964
|
Wing commander
|
J V Horwood
|
1964
|
1966
|
Wing commander
|
A L Bennett
|
1966
|
1968
|
Wing commander
|
J C Newby
|
1968
|
1970
|
Wing commander
|
L C Swalwell
|
1970
|
1973
|
Wing commander
|
K J Appleboom
|
1973
|
1975
|
Wing commander
|
R A Edwards
|
1975
|
1977
|
Wing commander
|
W I C Stoker
|
1977
|
1980
|
Wing commander
|
D Cousins
,
AFC
|
1980
|
1983
|
Wing commander
|
P C Norriss,
KBE
|
1983
|
1984
|
Wing commander
|
E R Cox
|
1984
|
1986
|
Wing commander
|
R H Goodall,
AFC
|
1986
|
1988
|
Wing commander
|
R F R Carr
|
1988
|
1991
|
Wing commander
|
I Travers Smith,
DSO
[43]
|
1991
|
1992
|
Wing commander
|
N C Rusling
|
1992
|
1995
|
Wing commander
|
J W White,
CBE
|
1995
|
1997
|
Wing commander
|
B W Newby,
AFC
|
1997
|
2000
|
Wing commander
|
A J Sudlow,
MBE
|
2000
|
2002
|
Wing commander
|
P Allan
|
2002
|
2005
|
Wing commander
|
G Stockill
|
2008
|
2009
|
Squadron leader
|
I S Smith
[44]
|
2009
|
2013
|
Squadron leader
|
S J Foote
|
2013
|
2015
|
Squadron leader
|
F C J Parkinson
|
2015
|
2017
|
Squadron leader
|
C A Melen,
CSM
|
2017
|
present
|
Squadron leader
|
M Pickles
|
Stations
[
edit
]
Stations included:
See also
[
edit
]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
"16 Squadron at RAF Wittering graduates newly qualified pilots"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
Royal Air Force
. 10 October 2018
. Retrieved
29 September
2020
.
- ^
Pine, L.G. (1983).
A dictionary of mottoes
(1 ed.).
London
, England: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p.
163
.
ISBN
0-7100-9339-X
.
- ^
"Former Royal Navy pilot becomes instructor at RAF Wittering"
.
PeterboroughToday.co.uk
. Peterborough Today. 13 February 2019
. Retrieved
10 June
2019
.
- ^
a
b
Wind in the Wires
, by
Duncan Grinnell-Milne
. London 1933. Revised by the author and republished by Doubleday, New York 1968.
- ^
"Beaupre-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.
- ^
"From the diary of Capt W T L Allcock RFC 1915-17"
.
WTLA.Airwar1.org.uk
. Airwar1. 2004
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
"No 16 - 20 Squadron Histories"
.
RAFWeb.org
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10 June
2019
.
- ^
"Westland Lysander"
.
HistoryOfWar.org
. J Rickard. 2007
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"16(AC) Sqn activities, May to Jun 1940"
.
Traces of World War 2 website
.
Bart FM Droog
. 2008
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"16 Sqn during 2nd World War"
.
HistoryOfWar.org
. J Rickard. 2007
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"Gp Capt P W Stansfield's account of D-Day"
.
DDayMuseum.co.uk
. Memories of D-Day,
Portsmouth City Council
. 2009. Archived from
the original
on 22 February 2012
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1973"
.
Nuclear-Weapons.info
.
- ^
"1979"
.
sites.Google.com
.
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. Retrieved
10 June
2019
.
- ^
"RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1984"
.
Nuclear-Weapons.info
.
- ^
"RAF aircraft deployed during Op GRANBY"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
Royal Air Force
,
Ministry of Defence
. 2004. Archived from
the original
on 27 October 2008
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"No. 16 Squadron"
.
NationalColdWarExhibition.org
. National Cold War Exhibition
. Retrieved
16 July
2020
.
- ^
"Weapon overview"
.
Nuclear-Weapons.info
.
- ^
"RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1992"
.
Nuclear-Weapons.info
.
- ^
"RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1993"
.
Nuclear-Weapons.info
.
- ^
"RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1994"
.
Nuclear-Weapons.info
.
- ^
"16(R) and 54(F) Squadrons stood down"
.
Target Aviation Photography website
. Targeta. 2004. Archived from
the original
on 8 December 2008
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"Come in Numbers 16 and 54, your time is up"
.
AirsceneUK.org.uk
. Airscene UK. 2004. Archived from
the original
on 16 October 2010
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"RAF Squadron Standards"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
Royal Air Force
,
Ministry of Defence
. 2009. Archived from
the original
on 8 October 2008
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"Saint Omer Aerodrome"
.
WebMatters.net
. Retrieved
10 June
2019
.
- ^
"EFT Squadrons"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
RAF Cranwell
,
Ministry of Defence
. 2009. Archived from
the original
on 1 May 2009
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"RAF Flying Training"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
No. 22 Group RAF
,
Ministry of Defence
. 2009. Archived from
the original
on 17 May 2009
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"Brief history of JEFTS"
.
RAFChurchFenton.org.uk
. I Herbert,
RAF Church Fenton
. 2008
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"Letter regarding the Marston Report"
.
Bris.ac.uk
. Bristol MEC,
University of Bristol
. 2005
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
– via Google.
- ^
"
'Sharp eyes' William's first solo flight"
.
News.BBC.co.uk
.
BBC News
. 17 January 2008
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"Prince thrilled to fly solo"
.
News.BBC.co.uk
.
BBC News
. 17 January 2008
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
"Prince William joins the RAF"
.
MoD.uk
.
Ministry of Defence
. 2008
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"Biography of Prince Charles"
.
PrinceOfWales.gov.uk
.
Prince of Wales
,
GOV.UK
. 2009. Archived from
the original
on 5 August 2012
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"Veteran Harrier pilot helps rebirth of flying at RAF airbase"
.
RoyalNavy.MoD.uk
.
Royal Navy
,
Ministry of Defence
. 27 January 2015
. Retrieved
29 September
2020
.
- ^
Barrass, M.B. (2007).
"Biography of Air Vice-Marshal Felton Holt"
.
RAFWeb.org
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2009
.
- ^
Barrass, M.B. (2007).
"Biography of Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding of Bentley Priory"
.
RAFWeb.org
. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"List of 16 Sqn personnel - Feb to May 1916"
.
Airwar1.org.uk
. Airwar1. 2004
. Retrieved
17 May
2009
.
- ^
Barrass, M.B. (2007).
"Biography of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Paul Maltby"
.
RAFWeb.org
. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
. Retrieved
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2009
.
- ^
Barrass, M.B. (2007).
"Biography of Marshal of the RAF Viscount Portal of Hungerford"
.
RAFWeb.org
. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
. Retrieved
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2009
.
- ^
Barrass, M.B. (2007).
"Biography of Air Chief Marshal Sir Alec Coryton"
.
RAFWeb.org
. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
Barrass, M.B. (2007).
"Biography of Air Commodore Alan Churchman"
.
RAFWeb.org
. Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"Obituary for Air Commodore Paddy Forsythe"
.
TimesOnline.co.uk
.
London
, England: Times Newspapers Ltd. 4 September 2009
. Retrieved
25 September
2009
.
- ^
"RAF honours awarded during Operation GRANBY"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
Royal Air Force
,
Ministry of Defence
. 2004
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
- ^
"BBMF fighter pilots 2009"
.
RAF.MoD.uk
.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
,
Royal Air Force
. 2009
. Retrieved
16 May
2009
.
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