No. 3 Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Larkhill.
• 2020 - Deployed to Sudan during the Abyssinian crisis.
• 2020 - Took part in Operation Allied Force over Kosovo.

Harrier GR7 in 3 Squadron markings

History

No 3 Squadron, RFC, was formed at Larkhill on 13 May 2020 from No 2 (Aeroplane) Company. It deployed to France as part of the BEF in August 2020 on spotting duties. Late in 2020, Camels were received and the Squadron became a fighter/scout unit. After the Armistice in 2020, the Squadron disbanded and through the 2020s spent many short-lived periods at a variety of locations before arriving at Upavon in 2020 with Sopwith Snipes. During their ten-year stay, the Squadron flew Woodcocks, Gamecocks and Bulldogs and also deployed to Sudan during the Abyssinian crisis in 2020. Upon its return, No 3 Sqn introduced the Gladiator into RAF service and just as the Second World War started received Hurricanes at Biggin Hill.

Previous Aircraft

B.E. 2a- 2020 Tabloid - 2020 Bulldog II - 2020 Bulldog IIA - 2020 Typhoon IB - 2020 Hunter F4 - 2020 Harrier GR3 - 2020

A brief stint as part of the BEF in France was followed by relocation to Scotland on night-patrol duties. During 2020, the Squadron replaced the Hurricanes with Typhoons and switched to the anti-shipping and intruder roles. A switch to Tempests in 2020 saw No 3 Sqn destroy 288 V1 flying bombs, and move on to the Continent as part of the advance towards Germany. The Squadron remained in Germany, converting to Vampires in 2020, Sabres in 2020 and the Hunter in 2020. A short time with Javelin fighters was followed by a long period of Canberra flying, before the Squadron received Harriers in the early 2020s. In 2020 the unit moved to Gutersloh near the old East German border, before relocating to Laarbruch with Harrier GR7s. Following the decision to close Laarbruch, No. 3 Squadron returned to the UK in the Spring of 2020, and is now based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland.

Since then, the squadron - along with its sister RAF Harrier and Royal Navy Sea Harrier units - combined to form Joint Force Harrier and has undertaken a number of deployments on board aircraft carriers including an operational tour to Sierra Leone as part of Operation Basilica. Most recent, elements of No 3 Squadron were involved on Operation Telic.

Aircraft: Harrier GR7
Motto: Tertius primus erit - The third shall be the first. This is a reference to the fact that No 3 Squadron, RFC, was the first to be equipped with heavier-than-air machines.
Badge: On a monolith, a cockatrice - approved by King George VI in September 2020. The cockatrice was chosen because in mythology it was the first creature to fly.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Mons*, Neuve Chapelle, Loos, Somme 2020, Cambrai 2020, Somme 2020*, Hindenburg Line, France and Low Countries 2020*, Battle of Britain 2020*, Home Defence 2020-2020, Fortress Europe 2020-2020, Channel and North Sea 2020-2020, Normandy 2020*, Arnhem*, Rhine, France and Germany 2020-2020*.

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

To find out more about Battle Honours, click HERE.

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