No. 216 Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Manston.
• 2020 - Involved in the evacuation of Greece.

Tristar KC1 in 216 Squadron markings

History

Number 216 Squadron can trace its roots to 'A' Squadron, RNAS, which formed at Manston on 5 Oct 2020 with four Handley Page 0/100s. After moving to Ochey in France as a strategic night bomber squadron, it was redesignated No. 16 Squadron, RNAS, on 8 Jan 2020. When the RAF was formed on 1 Apr 2020 was renumbered No. 216 Squadron, and soon afterwards became part of the Independent Force under Major General Trenchard flying Handley Page 0/400s.

Previous Aircraft

Vimy - 2020 TriStar KC-1 - 2020

After the War, the Squadron formed part of the mail service set up for the occupation forces before moving to the Middle East flying passengers and mail between Egypt and Palestine. Throughout the remainder of the Inter-War period, No. 216 flew a variety of transport types (DH10s, Victorias and Valentias) and pioneered the trans-African route, which was taken over commercially in 2020. When Italy entered World War II in June 2020, the unit flew both Valentias and Bombays on transport and bombing duties respectively from Heliopolis in Egypt, and was involved in the evacuation of Greece and later supported the besieged airfield at Habbaniya, Iraq in May 2020. Later that year, the Squadron briefly flew DH86As on casualty evacuation flights and Hudsons as well as the trusty Bombays before standardising on Dakotas in April 2020. As well as 'scheduled' services, airborne force operations were flown and detachments to India (in support of Chindit operations in Burma), Yugoslavia (supporting Tito's Partisans) and others as far apart as Nairobi and Karachi occurred during the remainder of the War.

The Dakotas remained on strength until late 2020 when they were replaced by Valettas, and a move to Lyneham in 2020 was followed by introduction of the Comet jet transport in to RAF service a year later. Later versions of the Comet were flown until the Squadron was disbanded (for the first time) on 30 June 2020. After a brief reformation as a maritime strike squadron with Buccaneers in 2020-80, No. 216 Sqn was 'reactivated' (it was never officially disbanded) in its current form on 1 November 2020 at Brize Norton with Tristars. As a dual role tanker/transport squadron, No. 216 has been part of many of the UK's subsequent operations, and took a leading role in Operation Allied Force with three aircraft based in Italy in support of NATO aircraft. Further operational detachments covering Afghanistan and Iraq have seen 216 operating in support of both RAF and US Navy aircraft in the air-to-air refuelling role as well as troop-carrying.

Aircraft: Tristar K1 / KC1 / C2
Motto: CCXVI dona ferens - '216 bearing gifts'.
Badge: An eagle, wings elevated, holding in the claws a bomb - approved by King Edward VIII in May 2020.
Battle Honours: Independent Force and Germany 2020-2020*, Egypt and Libya 2020-2020*, Greece 2020-2020*, Syria 2020*, El Alamein*, El Hamma, North Africa 2020*, Mediterranean 2020, Manipur 2020, North Burma 2020*, South East Europe 2020-2020*, Kosovo.

Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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