No. 6 Squadron RAF
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No. 6 Squadron | ||
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Missing image 6_Squadron_RAF.jpg 6 Squadron badge Squadron badge | ||
Information | ||
Role | Offensive Support | |
Aircraft Operated | SEPECAT Jaguar | |
Home Station | RAF Coltishall | |
Motto | "Oculi exercitus (The eyes of the Army)" | |
History | ||
Date Founded | 31 January 1914 | |
Badge | An eagle, wings elevated, preying on a serpent | |
Notable Battle Honours |
No. 6 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Jaguar GR.3 from RAF Coltishall, Norfolk.
Contents |
Current Role
As an offensive support unit, the Squadron uses the Jaguar in the Close air support (CAS) and tactical reconnaissance roles.
The Jaguar is scheduled to be replaced by the Eurofighter Typhoon in RAF service. The RAF has announced that No. 6 Sqn will be the third operational front line squadron equipped with the Eurofighter Typhoon and the first with Tranche 2 aircraft. No. 6 Sqn will disband and reform with the Typhoonat RAF Leuchars, Scotland.
History
No. 6 squadron's motto is ‘Oculi Exercitus,’ (The Eyes of the Army), and the badge depicts an eagle attacking a serpent. The squadron gained this motto and badge as a result of fighter defence of army units during World War I.
In 1969 the squadron was the first to receive the Phantom FGR2 from RAF Coningsby, before receiving the Jaguar GR1 and T2 at RAF Lossiemouth in 1974. The squadron then moved to its present home at Coltishall. From here the squadrons aircraft were deployed to the Gulf as part of Operation Granby (Gulf War,) for which it received Battle Honours and later as part of the Northern No-Fly-Zone. The squadron deployed to Italy for operations over Bosnia from 1993.
RAF Jaguar units
- No.6 Squadron
- No. 41 Squadron
Future Typhoon squadrons
- No. 3 Squadron - Current Harrier GR7 squadron - Reforming at RAF Coningsby (Tranche 1)
- No. 11 Squadron RAF - Current Tornado F3 squadron - Reforming at RAF Leeming (Tranche 1)
- No. 6 Squadron - Reforming at RAF Leuchars (Tranche 2)