202 Squadron

202 SQUADRON

202 Squadron's origins started with the formation of No. 2 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) at Eastchurch on 17 October 1914.

Equipped with a variety of aircraft it moved to Dover in February 1915 but lost its identity in June when it became No. 2 Wing. Reformed again at Dunkirk in November 1916, No 2 Squadron RNAS Flew reconnaissance, bombing and escort sorties for the remainder of the War and was renumbered No. 202 Squadron on 1 April 1918.

Supermarine Scapas, the Squadron's first flying boats, were received in May 1935 and these were replaced in September 1937 with Saro Londons which were flown on anti-submarine patrols.

WW II

A move to Alexandria was made in September 1938 but, at the outbreak of WWII, the Squadron moved to Gibraltar to patrol the approaches to the Mediterranean. In September 1940 Swordfish floatplanes were added for local patrol duties, but 1941 saw the arrival of the Catalina and Sunderland flying boats. The Squadron moved to Northern Ireland in September 1944 for U-boat patrols off the west coast, disbanding on 12 June 1945.

Post War

202 Squadron reformed at Aldergrove on 1 October 1946 equipped with Halifaxs for meteorological flights over the Atlantic. Hastings were received in October 1950 and flown until the Squadron disbanded on 31 July 1964. On 1 September 1964, No 228 Squadron, which had formed at Leconfield in 1959 to operate Whirlwind HAR10s in the search and rescue role, was renumbered No. 202 Squadron. Search and Rescue (SAR) Flights were operated from Coltishall, Acklington and Leuchars as well as the HQ at Leconfield.

The Sea King Arrives

In January 1976 the HQ moved to Finningley where, with HQ 22 Squadron, SAR Wing was formed. The Whirlwind aircraft were replaced by Sea King HAR3s in 1978/9 and these aircraft then equipped No. 202 Squadron detached Flights at Boulmer, Brawdy, Coltishall and Lossiemouth. Immediately after the South Atlantic campaign in 1982, 'C' Flight was sent from Coltishall to provide SAR cover in the Falkland Islands, being later renumbered No. 1564 Flight as an independent unit.

Reorganisation

On 2 September 1985 'C' Flight was reformed with Sea Kings at Coltishall moving to Manston on 1 September 1988 and 'E' Flight later formed at Leconfield. In December 1992 the Squadron's second-line-engineering facility moved to St. Mawgan and its Headquarters joined 'A' Flight at Boulmer. In July 1994 the Squadron reorganised with 'B' Flight moving from Brawdy to Chivenor and 'C' Flight moving to Wattisham. Simultaneously they became 'A' and 'B' Flights of No. 22 Squadron. In 2008, both HQ No. 22 Sqn and HQ No. 202 Sqn moved together with the SARF HQ to co-locate in a new build at RAF Valley leaving No. 202 Squadron with HQ at RAF Valley, 'A' Flight at Boulmer, 'D' Flight at Lossiemouth and 'E' Flight at Leconfield. At the same time engineering support was civilianised under the Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) contract with Augusta Westland.

Squadron Standard

The origin of Royal Air Force Colours and Standards dates back to World War War II when, on the 25th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force, King George VI announced his intention to award ceremonial flags, to be known as Standards, to operational squadrons. To qualify for the award of a Standard, the King decreed that a squadron must have completed either 25 years of service in the Royal Air Force, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Naval Air Service or Royal Flying Corps, or have earned the King's appreciation for outstanding operations.

Unlike Colours (which, in ceremonial terms, have precedence over Standards on the parade ground and can only be presented by the Sovereign), Standards are generally presented by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Command to which the squadron belongs. Upon its presentation, the Standard is blessed by an officiating chaplain at a dedication ceremony.

All Squadron Standards are 4ft x 2ft 8in in size and hand-made in silk. In the centre is embroidered the squadron's badge, with scrolls on either side detailing up to a maximum of 10 battle honours.

Award of No. 202 Squadron’s standard was originally announced on 15 January 1952, to be effective from 1 April 1951 and was presented by Air Chief Marshal Sir Douglas Evill on 6 September 1957. The squadron was presented with a new standard by Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Terry in 1987 and the original standard was laid up in St George’s Chapel in The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Gibraltar. The squadron’s 5 Battle Honours are proudly displayed on the standard for its role in operations on the Western Front and in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, North Africa and Biscay between 1916 and 1944.