16 Squadron

History

• No 16 Squadron was formed on 10 Feb 1915 at St Omer and immediately began fighting in the First World War in Northern France, flying offensive patrol and tactical reconnaissance missions.
• Early Squadron Commanders included Majors Hugh Dowding, Charles Portal, and Paul Maltby, all of whom went on to become senior leaders of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. 
• Photos, anecdotes, and links to archive material from No 16 Squadron in  the First World War can be found at http://www.design-phoenix.com/saint-omer-2018
• No 16 Squadron flew the Armistice Patrol on 11 November 1918.  The Squadron disbanded in Dec 1919.
• Between 1924 to 1942 No 16 Squadron flew aircraft ranging from the Bristol Fighter, Hawker Audax, and Westland Lysander in Army Co-operation roles.
• From 1942 to 1945 the Squadron was equipped with the Mustang and Spitfire XI, mainly flying photographic reconnaissance sorties.
• After the Second World War No 16 Squadron remained in Germany and from 1958 contributed to the Tactical Nuclear Strike role flying Canberra, Buccaneer, and Tornado GR1 aircraft.
• No 16 Squadron took part in the 1991 Gulf War, flying the Tornado GR1 from Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
• At the end of 1991 the Squadron was disbanded as a front-line unit and subsequently operated as the Jaguar operational conversion unit until 2002.  On disbandment, the No 16 Squadron Standard was laid up in St Omer Cathedral where it is visible today.
• No 16 Squadron was reformed in 2008 as one of the Elementary Flying Training squadrons at RAF Cranwell, before moving to RAF Wittering in 2015 where it flies today.