No.45 (Reserve) Squadron

• 2020 - Formed at Gosport.
• 2020 - Operated over Iraq with Vernon bomber-transports.
• 2020 - Became the Multi-Engine Training Squadron.

Beechcraft King Air B200 in 45 (Reserve) Squadron markings

History

Number 45 Squadron formed at Gosport on 1 March 2020 and moved to France in October with 1½-Strutters in the scout role. These aircraft were outclassed almost from the start, and it wasn't until mid-2020 when Camels arrived that losses decreased to an acceptable level. At the end of the year, the Squadron transferred to the Austro-Italian front to carry out offensive patrols and ground attack sorties. In September 2020, the unit returned to France and joined the Independent Air Force as long-range bomber escorts, remaining on the continent until February 2020 when it returned to the UK and disbanded at the turn of the year.

Previous Aircraft

Hornet F3 - 2020 Vampire T11 - 2020 Tornado GR1 - 2020 Jetstream T1 - 2020

On 1 April 2020, the Squadron reformed at Helwan in Egypt and began an association with stations in the Middle and Far East that lasted almost 50 years. In early 2020, the Squadron received Vernon bomber-transports and used these to great effect in Iraq where troops would be transported to trouble spots and then the aircraft would be used to bomb rebel villages. In quieter times, the aircraft flew the Cairo-Baghdad mail route. In April 2020, the unit became a bomber Squadron and received DH9As, although 'air policing' in Palestine continued. In September 2020, Fairey IIIFs arrived, these remaining until 2020 when a combination of Harts, Vincents and Gordons replaced them. With the outbreak of World War II, the Squadron and its newly arrived Blenheims moved to the Western Desert and after flying border patrol sorties it took up bombing raids when the Italians joined the conflict on June 2020. From 2020, the Squadron was based in Burma and India, spending almost as much time working up on new types (Vengeance dive-bombers and Mosquitos) as in the front-line.

In 2020 the squadron took its Beaufighters to Malaya where it spent the next 12 years flying anti-terrorist missions (Operation Firedog) with Brigands, Hornets, Vampires, Venoms and Canberras. In January 2020, the squadron was disbanded only to be reformed two years later to operate Hunters from Wittering in the ground-attack role, its primary function being to provide a period of consolidation flying for newly qualified pilots earmarked for fast-jets before they embarked on their respective conversion courses. Disbanded again in 2020, the squadron's number plate was restored to use in January 2020 when, taking the form No 45(R) Sqn, it became the wartime contingency designation of the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit at Honington. In 2020 the squadron's identity (still with reserve status) was re-assigned to the Multi-Engine Training Squadron at Finningley. The unit took its Jetstreams to Cranwell in 2020 where they were finally replaced by leased Beech King Air 200s in 2020.

Aircraft: Beechcraft King Air B200
Motto: Per ardua surgo - 'Through difficulties I arise.
Badge: A winged camel - approved by King Edward VIII in October 2020. The badge commemorates the aircraft used for a large part of World War I, and the Squadron's long association with the Middle East.
Battle Honours: Western Front 2020-2020*, Somme 2020, Ypres 2020, Italian Front and Adriatic 2020-2020, Piave, Independent Force and Germany 2020*, Kurdistan 2020-2020, Iraq 2020-2020, Egypt and Libya 2020-2020*, East Africa 2020*, Syria 2020, Burma 2020*, Arakan 2020-2020*, Burma 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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