78 Squadron 'Tigers'

United Kingdom » Air Force

Unit Motto: Nemo Non Paratus

History:

Formed at Newhaven on 1 November 1916, Number 78 Squadron and its BE2s was designated as a Home Defence unit, responsible for intercepting marauding Zeppelins as they attacked targets on the south coast, moving some six months later to London to defend the capital when German bomber raids started. Shortly before the Armistice in November 1918, the unit started to re-equip with 1½-Strutters, but never received its full complement before disbanding, like many other squadrons, in 1919. The Squadron was not reformed until 1 November 1936 when 'B' Flight of No 10 Squadron based at Boscombe Down was retitled. Now flying Heyford night bombers, the Squadron moved to Dishforth in Yorkshire and became part of the newly created No 4 Group. In the Summer of 1937, No 78 began converting to Whitleys, and following the outbreak of World War II, was tasked with the training of newly formed crews prior to posting on to operational squadrons. The unit joined the front line bomber force in July of 1940, taking up night bomber duties until re-equipping with Halifaxes in 1942. For the remainder of the European War, the unit continued in this role, but in May 1945 it was transferred to Transport Command and, after converting to Dakotas, moved to Egypt. Here, No 78 took up route flying around the Mediterranean, North Africa and Middle East, receiving Vallettas in 1950, before disbanding at Fayid, Egypt at the end of September 1954. On 24 April 1956, No 78 Squadron reformed, this time in Aden as a tactical transport unit equipped initially with Pioneers and then the larger Twin Pioneer. Detachments were undertaken all around the region, and it was felt that some sort of firepower capability should be added to the aircraft, and so guns were mounted in the rear entrance and missiles fitted under the wings. In 1962, the unit achieved what is believed to be the first firing of a guided missile by the RAF in an attack against rebel forces in Aden - quite an achievement for a transport squadron! Between 1965 and 1971, No 78 was based at Sharjah and flew the Wessex until disbanded in December 1971. Since reforming in the Falklands on 22 May 1986, the Squadron has flown Chinooks and Sea Kings, the latter having a secondary search and rescue role. On 3 Dec 2007, No 78 Sqn relocated to RAF Benson and was re-equipped with Merlin HC Mk3/3a helicopters as a dedicated Support Helicopter squadron. Having ‘inherited’ an existing operational flight from its sister Merlin squadron, No 78 Squadron personnel and aircraft were immediately deployed on operations in Iraq.

External link: http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/78squadron.cfm