No. 16 Squadron RAF

No. 16 (Reserve) Squadron RAF
Active	10 February 1915 – Present
Role	Elementary Flying Training
Garrison/HQ	RAF Wittering
Motto	Operta aperta, (Hidden things are revealed)
Equipment	Grob Tutor
Battle honours	Western Front 1915–1918, Neuve Chapelle, Loos, Somme 1916, Arras, Ypres 1917, France and Low Countries 1940, Dunkirk, Fortress Europe 1943–1944, France and Germany 1944, Normandy 1944, Arnham, Ruhr 1944–1945, Gulf 1991
Insignia
Squadron Badge	Two keys in saltire. The badge symbolises army co-operation duties. The keys indicate the unlocking of the enemy's secrets; the gold key by day, the black key by night.
Squadron Roundel

No. 16 (Reserve) 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,^[1] it instructs pilots in elementary flying using the Tutor.

History

Early years

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 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 (who when the book was originally published had not then attained his later fame) is by no means a flattering one.^[2] For the rest of the Great War, the 'Saints'^[3] 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.^[4] Disbandment occurred on New Year's Eve 1919 followed by reformation at Old Sarum on 1 April 1924. Initially the Bristol Fighter was operated in the tactical reconnaissance role and this was followed by the Atlas and Audax.

Second World War

RAF Supermarine Spitfire Mk.PR.XIX painted in the colours of 16 Squadron, 2nd Tactical Air Force

In May 1938 the Lysander arrived^[5] and the Squadron continued in its tactical role in wartime France from April 1940.^[6] In May 1940 it returned to England and conducted roving sea patrols searching for both downed aircrew and enemy forces.^[7]

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 XIs based at Hartford Bridge. In the build-up to D Day, No 16 supplied photographs instrumental to the planning of the Allied landings.^[8] Afterwards reconnaissance continued to be provided until the end of the war.

Into The Jet Age

No. 16 Squadron English Electric Canberra B(I)8 in 1972 wearing Tiger markings

16 Squadron was disbanded at Celle on 1 April 1946 but reformed at RAF Fassberg the same day and took the 24 cylinder 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.

Buccaneer S.2B of No. 16 Squadron in 1977 wearing the unit's Saint symbol on its fin.

As East-West relations cooled, the Squadron reformed at Laarbruch on 1 March 1958 and would remain there until 1991. 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 Canberra B(I).8 equipped with dual-key nuclear weapons was operated for 14 years.

It was during these years, whilst on exercise in Oman that the Squadron was presented with their new mascot. He was affectionately named Jonesy, after one of the Flt Cdrs of the time. It was rather unfortunate when, in 1975 the Deputy OC ran Jonesy over, ending the short stint of 16 Squadron's mascot. There have been many attempts to acquire a new Squadron mascot but none have succeeded.

A Royal Air Force Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2B aircraft in flight

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.^[9] 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 re-equipped with the Panavia Tornado GR.1 in 1984, retaining its role 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.^[10]

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.^[11] Following hostilities, the Squadron disbanded on 11 September 1991 but reformed in November at RAF Lossiemouth as No. 16(R) 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.^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

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.^[16][17] The Squadron Standard^[18] was laid up in Notre-Dame Cathedral Saint-Omer, France on 20 March 2005 where it remains today - once laid up in a place of worship, a Standard can never be removed.

Current role

16 Squadron's 'Saint' logo. The nickname stems from the original formation at Saint Omer. In the past, the logo has been painted onto 16 Squadron aircraft and worn as a badge on the flying suits. The badge is presented to student pilots after their first solo sortie.

On 1 October 2008, the Squadron was reformed at RAF Cranwell as part of 22 Group operating the Grob Tutor.^[19] 16(Reserve) Squadron continues its training role by instructing new Royal Air Force pilots in Elementary Flying Training (EFT)^[20] as part of 1 EFTS. From 2005 to 2008 the unit was previously known as 1 Squadron, 1 EFTS following a restructuring of the RAF's pilot training.^[21][22] 16(R) 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;^[23][24][25] his father was also taught to fly at RAF Cranwell in 1971.^[26]

Prior to joining one of the three EFT Squadrons, trainee pilots will have completed Initial Officer Training (IOT) at RAF College Cranwell and are all commissioned officers. Some pilots arrive with no previous military flying experience but others have accrued a number of flying hours during time with a University Air Squadron. Additionally, a number of international pilots are trained to the same standards as RAF pilots. Mainly from the Middle-East, they typically undergo an English language course at York St John University before completing IOT with their RAF colleagues at RAF College Cranwell. Recent international students include pilots from the Air Forces of Iraq,^[27] Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar.

A 16(R) Squadron student pilot flies his first solo formation sortie.

Following an intensive ground school, the EFT course covers the rudiments of flying, stalling and circuits with the pilots flying their first solo after just 10 hours of tuition. They then advance to spinning, aerobatics, instrument flying, formation flying and low level navigation. As the course progresses, emergency handling and airmanship are introduced, this includes simulated engine failures and the use of emergency frequencies. EFT culminates in the Final Handling Test which is a composite sortie comprising any elements taught during the course.

After FHT and approximately 60 hours of flying, successful pilots are selected according to their capability, service need and personal preference to one of the three advanced flying training streams - Fast Jet, Rotary Wing or Multi-Engine. Those selected for Fast Jet training move to RAF Linton-on-Ouse to fly the Tucano with No. 72 Squadron, successful pilots then move to RAF Valley to fly the Hawk. Prospective Rotary Wing pilots go to the DHFS to fly the Squirrel and Griffin. Multi-Engine pilots move to RAF Cranwell and fly the Enhanced Avionics Tutor on the Multi-Engine Lead In (MELIN) course, before moving across the airfield to No. 45 Squadron for Multi-Engine training on the King Air.

Aircraft operated

From	To	Manufacturer	Aircraft
February 1915	March 1915	Royal Aircraft Factory	R.E.5
February 1915	March 1915	Vickers	F.B.5
February 1915	March 1915	Blériot	XI
February 1915	May 1915	Martinsyde	S.1
March 1915	May 1915	Voisin	III
March 1915	May 1917	Royal Aircraft Factory	B.E.2c
May 1915	November 1917	Farman Aviation Works	S.11
March 1915	December 1919	Royal Aircraft Factory	R.E.8
1924	1931	Bristol Aeroplane Company	F.2 Fighter
1931	1934	Armstrong Whitworth	Atlas
1934	1938	Hawker	Audax
1938	1942	Westland	Lysander
1942	1944	North American Aviation	Mustang
1944	1946	Supermarine	Spitfire Mk.XI
1946	1948	Hawker	Tempest V
1948	1948	Hawker	Tempest II
1948	1954	de Havilland	Vampire FB.5
1954	1957	de Havilland	Venom FB.1
1958	1972	English Electric	Canberra B(I).8
1972	1984	Blackburn	Buccaneer S.2B
1984	1991	Panavia	Tornado GR.1
1991	2005	SEPECAT	Jaguar GR.1 and GR.3
2008	Present	Grob	Tutor

Commanding officers

From	To	Rank	Name
8 February 1915	23 July 1915	Major	F V Holt[28]
23 July 1915	January 1916	Major	H C T Dowding[29]
January 1916	5 August 1916	Major	D W Powell[30]
5 August 1916	16 June 1917	Major	P C Maltby[31]
16 June 1918	June 1918	Major	C F A Portal[32] 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[33] MVO
1928	1931	Squadron Leader	D O Mulholland AFC
1931	1933	Squadron Leader	A R Churchman[34] 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[35] 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[36]
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[37]
1991	1992	Wing Commander	N C Rusling
1992	1995	Wing Commander	J W White
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[38]
2009	2013	Squadron Leader	S J Foote
2013	2015	Squadron Leader	F C J Parkinson
2015	Present	Squadron Leader	C A Melen CSM

Stations

From	To	Location	Notes
10 February 1915	5 March 1915	Saint-Omer	Formation.
6 March 1915	31 May 1915	La Gorgue	Detachment to Aire. Battle of Neuve Chapelle began 10 March 1915.
1 June 1915	17 July 1915	Choques
18 July 1915	11 December 1915	Merville	Battle of Loos between 25 and 28 September 1915.
12 December 1915	30 August 1916	La Gorgue
31 August 1916	24 May 1917	Bruay	Battle of the Somme between 1 July and 18 November 1916.
25 May 1917	20 October 1918	Camblain-l'Abbe
21 October 1918	24 October 1918	La Brayelle
25 October 1918	13 February 1918	Auchy
14 February 1918	31 December 1918	Fowlmere	Disbanded following cessation of hostilities.
1 April 1924	16 February 1940	Old Sarum	Reformed as Army co-operation squadron. 1938 - First squadron to operate the Lysander.
17 February 1940	12 April 1940	Hawkinge
13 April 1940	13 April 1940	Amiens
14 April 1940	18 May 1940	Bertangles	Battle of France commenced 10 May 1940.
19 May 1940	2 June 1940	Lympne	Dunkirk evacuation between 26 May and 4 June 1940.
3 June 1940	28 June 1940	Redhill	First RAF squadron to operate there.
29 June 1940	2 August 1940	Cambridge
3 August 1940	14 August 1940	Okehampton	Detachment to Cambridge.
15 August 1940	3 June 1941	Western Zoyland	Detachments to Okehampton, Roborough, RAF Tilshead, St Just and Bolt Head. Battle of Britain occurred between 10 July and 31 October 1940.
4 June 1941	5 June 1941	Okehampton
6 June 1941	8 September 1941	Weston Zoyland	Detachments to Lee-on-Solent and RAF Tilshead.
9 September 1941	10 September 1941	Okehampton
11 September 1941	24 September 1941	Weston Zoyland
25 September 1941	2 October 1941	Thruxton
3 October 1941	22 November 1941	Weston Zoyland	Detachment to Farnborough.
23 November 1941	26 November 1941	Lympne
27 November 1941	31 December 1942	Weston Zoyland	Detachment to Okehampton.
1 January 1943	25 February 1943	Andover
26 February 1943	12 March 1943	Ford
13 March 1943	5 April 1943	Andover
6 April 1943	8 April 1943	Weston Zoyland
9 April 1943	15 May 1943	Andover
16 May 1943	21 May 1943	Weston Zoyland
22 May 1943	31 May 1943	Andover
1 June 1943	28 June 1943	Middle Wallop
29 June 1943	15 April 1944	Hartford Bridge	Operated in Strategic Reconnaissance Wing of the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
16 April 1944	19 September 1945	Northolt	D-Day on 6 June 1944. Based a several ALGs as part of 2TAF. Disbanded following cessation of hostilities.
19 September 1945	1 April 1946	Celle	Reformed and disbanded. Renumbered from 268 Squadron.
1 April 1946	31 May 1946	Fassberg	Reformed from 56 Squadron.
1 June 1946	11 June 1946	Manston
12 June 1946	20 June 1946	Fassberg
21 June 1946	13 July 1946	Sylt
14 July 1946	4 September 1946	Fassberg
5 September 1946	15 September 1946	Manston
16 September 1946	3 February 1947	Fassberg
4 February 1947	20 March 1947	Gatow
21 March 1947	7 May 1947	Fassberg
8 May 1947	19 May 1947	Ahlhorn
20 May 1947	12 July 1947	Fassberg
13 July 1947	11 August 1947	Zeltweg
12 August 1947	5 October 1947	Fassberg
6 October 1947	16 October 1947	Middle Wallop
17 October 1947	2 November 1947	Fassberg
3 November 1947	23 November 1947	Lübeck
24 November 1947	31 November 1947	Fassberg
1 December 1947	5 January 1948	Gütersloh
6 January 1948	1 February 1948	Gatow
2 February 1948	13 July 1948	Gütersloh	Berlin Airlift begins on 24 June 1948.
14 July 1948	6 August 1948	Lübeck
7 August 1948	1 November 1950	Gütersloh	Berlin Airlift ends 11 May 1949.
2 November 1950	1 June 1957	Celle	Disbanded.
1 March 1958	6 June 1972	Laarbruch	Cuban Missile Crisis between 8 and 28 October 1962.
8 Jan 1973	29 Feb 1984	Laarbruch
1 Mar 1984	11 Sep 1991	Laarbruch	Squadron took part in Operation GRANBY.
1 November 1991	20 July 2000	Lossiemouth	Became a Reserve squadron as Jaguar OCU.
21 July 2000	11 March 2005	Coltishall	Coltishall, the last surviving operational RAF base involved in the Battle of Britain, closed on 30 November 2006.
1 October 2008	16 May 2015	Cranwell	Elementary flying training.
16 May 2015	Present	Wittering	Elementary flying training.

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons

References

1. "Centennial 16 (Reserve Squadron arrives at RAF Wittering". 2015-05-17. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
2. Wind in the Wires by Duncan Grinell-Milne. London 1933. Revised by the author and republished by Doubleday, New York 1968.
3. 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 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.
4. "From the diary of Capt W T L Allcock RFC 1915-17". Airwar1 web site. Airwar1.org. 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
5. "Westland Lysander". History of War web site. J Rickard. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
6. "16(AC) Sqn activities, May to Jun 1940". Traces of World War 2 web site. Bart FM Droog. 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
7. "16 Sqn during 2nd World War". History of War web site. J Rickard. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
8. "Gp Capt P W Stansfield's account of D-Day". Memories of D-Day web site. Portsmouth City Council. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
9. RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1973
10. RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1984
11. "RAF Aircraft deployed during Op GRANBY". Royal Air Force web site. MOD. 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
12. Weapon overview @ www.nuclear-weapons.info/vw.htm#WE.177 Carriage
13. RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1992
14. RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1993
15. RAF nuclear frontline Order-of-Battle 1994
16. "16(R) and 54(F) Squadrons Stood Down". Target Aviation Photography web site. Targeta. 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
17. "Come In Numbers 16 And 54, Your Time Is Up". Airscene UK web site. Airscene UK. 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
18. "RAF Squadron Standards". Royal Air Force web site. MOD. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
19. "EFT Squadrons". RAF Cranwell web site. MOD. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
20. "RAF Flying Training". 22 Group web site. MOD. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
21. "Brief history of JEFTS". Unofficial RAF Church Fenton web site. I Herbert. 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
22. "Letter regarding the Marston Report" (PDF). University of Bristol. Bristol MEC. 2005. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
23. "'Sharp eyes' William's first solo flight". BBC News. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
24. "Prince thrilled to fly solo". BBC News. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
25. "Prince William Joins The RAF". Ministry of Defence web site. MOD. 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
26. "Biography of Prince Charles". Prince of Wales web site. UK Gov. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
27. "Chocks away for Iraq's RAF pilot graduate". RAF web site. MOD. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
28. "Biography of Air Vice-Marshal Felton Holt". Air of Authority web site. M B Barrass. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
29. "Biography of Air Chief Marshal Lord Dowding of Bentley Priory". Air of Authority web site. M B Barrass. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
30. "List of 16 Sqn personnel - Feb to May 1916". Airwar1 web site. Airwar1.org. 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
31. "Biography of Air Vice-Marshal Sir Paul Maltby". Air of Authority web site. M B Barrass. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
32. "Biography of Marshal of the RAF Viscount Portal of Hungerford". Air of Authority web site. M B Barrass. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
33. "Biography of Air Chief Marshal Sir Alec Coryton". Air of Authority web site. M B Barrass. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
34. "Biography of Air Commodore Alan Churchman". Air of Authority web site. M B Barrass. 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
35. "Obituary for Air Commodore Paddy Forsythe". Times Online web site (London: Times Newspapers Ltd.). 4 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
36. KBE awarded in 2000.
37. "RAF Honours awarded during Operation GRANBY". Royal Air Force web site. Royal Air Force. 2004. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
38. "BBMF Fighter Pilots 2009". Royal Air Force web site. Royal Air Force. 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-16.

External links

• Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation - No 16 - 20 Squadron Histories - No 16 Squadron

Coordinates: 53°01′39″N 0°28′40″W / 53.02743°N 0.47773°W