No. 606 Squadron RAF

Summary

No 606 (Chiltern) Squadron was formed as a Royal Auxiliary Air Force helicopter support squadron in 1996 at RAF Benson and gaining its official number three years later on 1 October 1999.[1] It provides personnel for the RAF tactical support helicopter fleet and does not operate any aircraft itself.[2]

No. 606 (Chiltern) Squadron RAF
Merlin Helicopter carrying 105mm Light Gun with staff from No. 606 Squadron
Active1 October 1999 – present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Part ofRoyal Auxiliary Air Force
Garrison/HQRAF Benson
Motto(s)Steadfast in support
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryA red kite grasping a lightning flash
Squadron CodesBG (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939)

History edit

The squadron code ‘BG’ was allocated to No 606 Squadron RAuxAF in 1939, but it was never activated during the Second World War.[3]

Since its reformation in 1996, personnel from the squadron have deployed on Operations across the globe including Afghanistan, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Iraq.[4]

No. 606 was deployed to Brunei, to assist No. 1563 Flight RAF in their move from temporary home base in Rimba Air Force Base to Medicina Lines.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ "RAF - 606 (Chiltern)". www.raf.mod.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Sqn Histories 600-610_P". www.rafweb.org. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  3. ^ Lake, Alan (1999). Flying units of the RAF : the ancestry, formation and disbandment of all flying units from 1912 (1 ed.). Shrewsbury: Airlife. p. 270. ISBN 1-84037-086-6.
  4. ^ Williams, Simon, ed. (23 September 2016). "606 Squadron hits landmark date". RAF News. No. 1403. Royal Air Force. p. 15. ISSN 0035-8614.
  5. ^ "Members of 606 Squadron, a reserve unit from RAF Benson, have been working hard in Brunei helping 230 Tiger Squadron move to their new permanent base!". British Forces Broadcasting Service. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.

External links edit

  • Squadron history on the official RAF website
  • History of No.'s 605–610 Squadrons at RAF Web
  • Current page on RAF Reserves website