THE SQUADRON
30 Squadron is the newest operational unit to use the Airbus A400M Atlas in Global operations, war-fighting, humanitarian and disaster relief scenarios.
Flat out
BASED AT
WHAT WE DO
As the Worlds’ first Aerial Delivery Squadron, resupplying the besieged Fort of Al Amara, Iraq in April 1916. It has been active in offensive operations during both World Wars and more latterly transport and parachuting operations, as well as air-to-air refuelling for military support and Humanitarian Aid response.
30 Squadron has operated aircraft including the Henry Farman, Wapiti, Scout, Blenheim, Hurricane, Thunderbolt, Dakota, Valetta and Beverley. Since 1971, the Squadron's Hercules fleet has been involved in almost every RAF operation including sustained deployed support to the Falkland Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq.
In December 2016 the Squadron ceased flying the C-130J Hercules and entered a period of transition preparing to operate the A400M Atlas.
What we fly
History
1914 A reconnaissance unit formed at Farnborough in 1914, although the Squadron number was not allocated until 1915.
1916 Became the World’s first Aerial Delivery unit resupplying the besieged Fort of Al Amara.
1938 Declared as a Bomber Squadron operating Blenheim aircraft.
1941 Officially became a fighter unit on converting to Hurricanes.
1948 Played an integral part in the Berlin Airlift.
2011 Moved to RAF Brize Norton.
2021 Newest operational unit to use the Airbus A400M Atlas.
BATTLE HONOURS
1915 Egypt
1915 Mesopotamia
1940 - 1942 Egypt and Libya
1940 - 1941 Greece
1940 1941 Mediterranean
1942 Ceylon April
1944 Arakan
1944 - 1945 Burma
Recognition of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq (not emblazoned).