The Squadron

The origins of 78 Sqn also lie in the Royal Flying Corps having been formed in 1916 for home defence, protecting the South East coast. Its Battle Honours include the First World War, Second World War, Iraq and Afghanistan until its disbandment in 2014 operating Merlin helicopters from RAF Benson. The squadron will now represent RAF(U) Swanwick and their delivery of Area Air Traffic Management, Airspace Management, Air Defence Resilience Entity and Northolt Radar, ensuring the safe passage of military and civil aircraft across the UK.

Nobody unprepared

A heraldic tiger rampant and double queued - approved by King George VI in November 1939. The theme of the badge was based on the Squadron's aircraft at the time, the Whitley, which had Tiger engines and twin tails.

Based at

Swanwick (78 Squadron)

History

1916 - Formed at Newhaven.

1940 - Flew the duration of WWII as part of Bomber Command.

1986 - Provides transportation and SAR in the Falkland Islands.

2007 - Relocated to RAF Benson and was re-equipped with Merlin HC Mk3/3a helicopters

2014 - Squadron Disbanded

2021 - Reformed and relocated to RAF(U) Swanwick

Battle Honours

Home Defence 1916-1918*

Fortress Europe 1940-1944*

Ruhr 1940-1945*

Invasion Ports 1940

Biscay ports 1940-1943

Berlin 1940-1944*

Channel and North Sea 1942-1945*

Normandy 1944*

Walcheren

France and Germany 1944-1945*

Rhine*

IRAQ 2003 – 2011

Afghanistan 2001-2014

(Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard)