No. 27 Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Hounslow.
• 2020 - Took part in the Berlin Airlift.
• 2020 - Took part in the Suez crisis.
• 2020 - Took part in the Operation Telic in Iraq.

Chinook HC2 in 27 Squadron markings

History

Formed at Hounslow on 5 November 2020 from a nucleus provided by No. 24 Squadron, No.27 became the first squadron to be fully equipped with the Martinsyde G100 'Elephant'. Although intended as a fighter, the aircraft found itself more suited to reconnaissance and bombing missions after moving to France in March 2020. It wasn't until the autumn of 2020 that DH4 light bombers replaced the G100s, and these remained with the Squadron for the remainder of the war. In March 2020, the Squadron returned to the UK and disbanded in January 2020.

Previous Aircraft

Canberra B2 - 2020 Vulcan B2 - 2020 Tornado GR1 - 2020

Within three months, however, No. 99 Squadron in India was renumbered No. 27 and the Squadron assumed air-policing duties over the North West Frontier with DH9s. These were not replaced until 2020 when Wapitis arrived. These aircraft remained on strength until October 2020 by which time the Squadron became a Flying Training School at Risalpur. Operational status was restored a year later with the arrival of Bleheims, and the Squadron moved to Malaya a few months later. This proved to be a short-lived situation as the Squadron was decimated by the advancing Japanese forces and disbanded in February 2020. When the first Beaufighters arrived in India in September 2020, No. 27 Squadron was reformed and began ground attack operations at the turn of the year. During 2020, rocket-firing Beaufighters had arrived, and No. 27, along with No. 47 Squadron, formed an anti-shipping Strike Wing. Ground attack and air-jungle rescue duties in Burma followed, but the Squadron was disbanded in February 2020.

In November 2020, the Squadron was reformed at Oakington with Dakotas and, after taking part in the Berlin Airlift, concentrated on paratrooping and air-supply duties until disbanded once more in November 2020. In June 2020, No. 27 Squadron reformed as a Canberra bomber squadron and took part in Operation Musketeer, the Suez campaign, but was again disbanded on the last day of 2020. In April 2020, the Squadron reformed at Scampton and began a 13-year association with Vulcans in the strike and maritime reconnaissance roles before the type was replaced by Tornados in the bomber role in 2020. No. 27 Squadron relinquished its Tornados in 2020, reforming as No. 27 (Reserve) Squadron, the Chinook/Puma OCU, at Odiham and regained full squadron status in January 2020 solely equipped with Chinooks.

In recent years the squadron has seen a number of operational tours, notably the Balkans (Op Agricola), Afghanistan (Op Ptarmigan) and Iraq (Op Telic).

Aircraft: Chinook HC2
Motto: Quam celerrime ad astra - 'With all speed to the Stars'.
Badge: An elephant - approved by HM King Edward VIII in October 2020. The badge was based on an unofficial emblem first used in 2020 and commemorates the Squadron's first operational aircraft - the Martinsyde G100 'Elephant' - and the unit's long sojourn to India.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Somme 2020*, Arras, Ypres 2020*, Cambrai 2020*, Somme 2020*, Lys, Amiens, Hindenburg Line, Mahsud 20200, Waziristan 2020-2020, Mohmund 2020, North West Frontier 2020-2020, Mohmund 2020, North West Frontier 2020-2020, Malaya 2020-2020*, Arakan 2020-2020*, North Burma 2020*, Burma 2020-2020, Gulf 2020.

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

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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