| No. 31 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
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| Active | 11 October 1915 |
| Role | Strike/attack/SEAD |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Marham |
| Motto | In cælum indicum primus Latin:"First into Indian skies" |
| Equipment | Tornado GR4 |
| Battle honours | North West Frontier 1916-1918, Afghanistan 1919-1920, Mahoud 1919-1920, Waziristan 1919-1925, North West Frontier 1939, Iraq 1941, Syria 1941, Egypt and Libya 1941-1942, Burma 1941-1942, North Burma 1943-1944, Arakan 1943-1944, Manipur 1944, Burma 1944-1945, Gulf 1991, Kosovo, Iraq 2003 |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
A mullet (star) in front of a wreath of laurel. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1915 ( MCMXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Royal Air Force Station Marham, commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station, a Military Airbase, near the WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout A battle honour is a military tradition practised in the Commonwealth countries of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand In Heraldry the term mullet or molet refers to a charge or a Difference in the conventional shape of a star, by default one with |
No. 31 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, known as the 'Goldstars'[1], currently operates the Tornado GR4 from RAF Marham, Norfolk. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Royal Air Force Station Marham, commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station, a Military Airbase, near the Norfolk (ˈnɔrfək is a low-lying county in East Anglia, England, United Kingdom.
Contents |
History
The squadron was formed at Farnborough on 11 October 1915. Farnborough is a Town in the Rushmoor district of Hampshire, England. Its first deployment was to Risulpur, India with its BE2Cs and Farmans. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country In September 1919 BE2s were replaced by Bristol Fighters,
In April 1939 the Squadron changed to the bomber transport role. During 1941, the Squadron began to concentrate on transport duties with seconded DC-2s. The Douglas DC-2 was a 14 seat twin-propeller Airliner produced by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. Returning to India the squadron re-equipped with the Dakota. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout After the Japanese invasion of Burma, it flew missions between Calcutta and Rangoon dropping supplies for the XIVth Army. Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. After World War II the squadron moved to Java. Java (Jawa is an Island of Indonesia and the site of its Capital city Jakarta. In 1946 the Squadron was disbanded in Java and reformed at Mauripur, India.
At the end of 1947 it was again disbanded, but reformed in July 1948. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In 1955, the unit reverted to its previous identity, and No. 31 Squadron moved to Laarbruch in Germany with Canberra PR7s. RAF Laarbruch (motto Ein' Feste Burg - "A Fortress Sure" located on the Germany / Netherlands border was home to various first-line WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The squadron flew Canberras until 1971 when they were replaced by Phantoms. These were replaced by SEPECAT Jaguars were received when the squadron moved to RAF Bruggen during 1976. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout The former Royal Air Force Station Brüggen, more commonly known as RAF Brüggen, in Germany was a major station of the Royal Air Force until Finally the squadron took delivery of Tornado GR1s in 1984. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout
In 2003, within Operation Telic, during the Iraq War, No. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign 31 Squadron was the lead Squadron that formed the Ali Al Salem Combat Air Wing in Kuwait. The State of Kuwait ( دولة الكويت IPA [dawlatt̪ alkuwajt̪]) is a sovereign Arab Emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed An amalgamated Composite squadron of 31, 9, 617 and II Squadron crews under the overall command of Wing Commander Paddy Teakle (OC 31 Squadron at the time). His actions in command of the Squadron earned him the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). The Distinguished Service Order ( DSO) is a Military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries awarded for
Current role
Now part of the Marham Wing, 31 Squadron's aircraft and crews were part of the RAF Tornado force in the 1991 Gulf War and the Squadron has continued to fly on regular operations over Iraq. On Jan 1 1995 the Squadron was declared operational in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) role equipped with the Air Launched Anti Radiation Missile ALARM Anti Radiation Missile. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1995: Events January January 26 - Outbreak of the Cenepa War SEAD (pronounced see-add or seed or Suppression of Enemy Air Defences, also known as " Wild Weasels quot and "Iron Hand" operations in the USA are ALARM ( Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile) is a British Anti-radiation missile designed primarily to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of An anti-radiation missile (ARM is a Missile which is designed to detect and home in on an enemy radio emission source During 1999 the Squadron re-equipped with the Tornado GR4 . 1999 also saw 31 Sqn participate in Operation Engadine, NATO operations over the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 1991: Events January January 16 - Eastern Air Lines is The North Atlantic Treaty The State Union of Serbia and Montenegro (Државна заједница Србија и Црна Гора / Državna zajednica Srbija i Crna Gora, abbreviated For the latter part of this operation the squadron was temporarily based in Corsica.
In 2001 No 31 Squadron moved to RAF Marham, and in 2003 formed the core of the Ali Al Salem Air Combat Wing, operating over Iraq during Operation Resinate South and Operation Telic. This is a list of Aviation -related events from 2001 Events March March 29 - An Avjet charter flight, a Gulfstream III Ali Al Salem Air Base is an airfield situated in Kuwait approximately 23 Miles from the Iraqi border Operation (or Op TELIC is the codename under which all British operations of the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and after are being conducted
While all Tornado GR. 4s are capable of carrying the ALARM Anti Radiation Missile, only 31 and IX Sqns specialise in the role. ALARM ( Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile) is a British Anti-radiation missile designed primarily to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of An anti-radiation missile (ARM is a Missile which is designed to detect and home in on an enemy radio emission source In this role they are known as "Pathfinder" squadrons.
31 Squadron became the lead RAF Tornado GR4 unit on the Brimstone anti-tank missile, accepting the weapon into RAF service at its home base, RAF Marham, on April 7 2005. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Brimstone is an advanced air-launched Anti-tank guided missile developed by MBDA. Royal Air Force Station Marham, commonly known as RAF Marham, is a Royal Air Force station, a Military Airbase, near the Events 529 - First draft of Corpus Juris Civilis (a fundamental work in Jurisprudence) is issued by Eastern Roman Emperor
31 Sqn Trivia
- Bomber Harris was a former Goldstar.
- 31 Sqn was the lead Squadron of both the Dhahran Tornado GR1 detachment during Op Granby (Gulf War 1), commanded by Wing Commander Jerry Witts, and of the Ali Al Salem Combat Air Wing during Op Telic (Gulf War 2), commanded by Wing Commander Paddy Teakle. Ali Al Salem Air Base is an airfield situated in Kuwait approximately 23 Miles from the Iraqi border Wing Commander ( Wg Cdr in the RAF, WGCDR in the RNZAF and RAAF, W/C in the former RCAF) is a commissioned
- The Squadron owns a Vintage Mercedes Benz car that is painted black with the Green & Gold Chequerboard and Goldstar logos. It also has flashing lights on the roof. It is known as the '31 Junta Wagon'.
- The Squadron Official drink is 'Green & Gold' made up of a measure of Creme de Menthe and a measure of Advocaat poured on top so that it floats in 2 layers. Crème de menthe is a sweet mint -flavored Liqueur. Its flavor is primarily derived from Corsican mint. Advocaat (or advokatt) is a rich and creamy Liqueur made from eggs, sugar and brandy This is usually drunk following the Loyal Toast at Dinner nights. The Loyal Toast is the first toast to be given at a formal gathering by the presiding person
- 31 Sqn was the last RAF Squadron to be based at RAF Bruggen in Germany, before returning to the UK to be based at RAF Marham in August 2001.
See also
References
This is a list of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons. It includes Royal Flying Corps (RFC and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS squadrons incorporated into theDapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic