609 (West Riding)
Station name: RAF Leeming
Station address: Northallerton, North Yorkshire
DL7 9NJ
Squadron contact: Flight Sergeant Vic Rose, 01677 457 127 (Mon–Fri 08.30–17.00)
Motto: Tally ho
Mission: To provide RAF Regiment Gunners and force protection specialists to support RAF operations at home and overseas.
More about this squadron
Having operated as a fighter squadron since the 1930s, the modern-day 609 Squadron was formed as a force protection squadron in 1999. Today, our squadron is mainly made up of Gunners, trained in infantry skills. We also have a limited number of support roles.
History and heritage
609 Squadron was formed at Yeadon in 1936 as a bomber squadron, although we were converted to fighters in 1938. In 1939, we were mobilised with just two Spitfires and a single Battle because of a shortage of aircraft.
Our record from the Second World War is very distinguished. We were the first Spitfire squadron to achieve 100 air-to-air ‘kills’ and were also responsible for the first confirmed kill by an American airman. We went on to pioneer the use of the Hawker Typhoon in the ground-attack role, and performed this vital and dangerous work until the end of the war.
After the war, we returned to our ‘ancestral’ home in Leeds and converted to the early jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, winning the Esher Trophy. In 1999, we formed an Airfield Defence Support Squadron and, in 2000, we were awarded our current name.
Roles and specialist skills
As a Gunner, you will have to master a range of skills, which include infantry tactics, covert observation, target acquisition and close combat skills. Gunners also receive specialist weapons training, so you will become expert at handling everything from a bayonet to an anti-tank missile.
Combat training is physically and mentally demanding and can take place anywhere in the world, from the jungle to the Arctic. Gunners need to be fit, active and prepared to endure difficult and demanding situations. For reasons of combat effectiveness, women cannot be accepted for this role.
Recent deployments
More than 60 of our Reservists were mobilised and deployed to the Gulf in 2003 to support Operation Telic in Iraq. Since then, our Gunners have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, while our other personnel have been deployed to Cyprus and around the world on exercises and operations.
