Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Leeming joined in with centenary celebrations for 100 Sqn.
The Duchess joined Squadron and Station personnel and families to watch a drill display by the renowned Queen’s Colour Squadron, followed by a flypast of 100 Squadron’s distinctive black Hawk T1A jets.
She said:
“I’m honoured to be here on this historic occasion to celebrate the Centenary of 100 Squadron. When I presented their new Standard to them in 2010, who would have known that this generation of pilots would be conducting operations in the skies above Syria and Iraq, in the most intense and sustained air operation that the RAF has conducted in the last 25 years?
“One this very special occasion we honour the heroism, and valour of our predecessors. But let’s not forget that as today marks the passing of the baton to the new generation of Airmen, the next chapter of this Squadron is yet to be written.”
The Duchess was then invited to meet with personnel and families from across RAF Leeming, as well as special guests including 100 Squadron association veterans. For Wing Commander Andy Wright, Officer Commanding 100 Squadron, it was a personally special day. He said:
“It’s been a real honour to have the Duchess of Cornwall with us today - everyone has been walking around with a smile on their face. Before I arrived here, I knew I would be lucky enough to be here for this day. As I was writing my speech for the dinner I researched the Squadron history and there has been so much – on this day in 1917 the Squadron was days away from going to France to take on the Red Baron, for example.
“100 Sqn has a really rich history, but we are also very proud of our current role as the RAF’s sole aggressor unit, and carrying the baton into the future.”
The first Royal Flying Corps squadron to be formed specifically for night bombing, Number 100 Squadron formed at Hingham, Norfolk on 23 February 1917. It continued its bombing role through World War II, operating Lancasters from RAF Grimsby. Now serving as the RAF’s sole Aggressor Squadron ‘The Ton’ delivers a huge range of operational training, including support to the Typhoon force and JTAC serials for the British Army. InNovember 2010, 100 Squadron received a new Squadron Standard from Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall.
Editor: MCO RAF Leeming
MOD Crown Copyright 2017