No. 1 Squadron RAF
|
|
| No. 1 Squadron | ||
|---|---|---|
| Missing image 1_Squadron_RAF.jpg I Squadron badge | ||
| Information | ||
| Role | Offensive Support | |
| Aircraft Operated | Harrier GR7 | |
| Home Station | RAF Cottesmore | |
| Motto | "In omnibus princeps" | |
| History | ||
| Date Founded | 13 May 1912 (RFC) | |
| Badge | A winged numeral "1" | |
| Notable Battle Honours | Western Front 1915-1918, Ypres 1915, Somme 1916, Independent Force and Germany 1918, France and Low Countries 1939-1940, Battle of Britain 1940, Fortress Europe 1941-1944, France and Germany 1944-1945, South Atlantic 1982, Iraq 2003 | |
No. 1 (F) Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Harrier GR7 from RAF Cottesmore.
History
The squadron motto is "In omnibus princeps" (first in all things,) appropriate for the RAF's oldest squadron and one that has been involved in almost every major British military operation since World War I. This includes World War II, Suez, Falklands War, Gulf War, Kosovo War and Operation Telic (Iraq.)
The squadron became the world's first operator of a STOVL aircraft with the arrival of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier in 1969, declared operational the following year.
During the Kosovo war the Squadron flew over 800 sorties as part of NATO's Operation Allied Force.
No. 1 Sqn left the "home of the Harrier" at RAF Wittering for RAF Cottesmore on July 28 2000. Cottesmore can now claim that title, housing all operational RAF Harrier squadrons. Only No. 20 (Reserve) Squadron, the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit remains at Wittering.
Previous Aircraft Operated
- Nieuport - 1917
- SE5a - 1918
- Sopwith Snipe - 1920
- Armstrong Whitworth Siskin - 1927
- Hawker Fury - 1933
- Hawker Hurricane - 1937
- Hawker Typhoon - 1943
- Gloster Meteor - 1950
- Hawker Hunter - 1956
- Hawker Siddeley Harrier - 1969 to present