Queen's Colour Squadron

The drill and ceremonial face of the RAF Regiment, and an active field squadron.

Badge for Queen's Colour Squadron

About

  • The custodian of the Queen’s Colour for the RAF in the United Kingdom and has the honour of providing the Escort Squadron whenever the Colour is paraded.
  • First mounted guard on Buckingham palace in 1943 on the 25th anniversary of the RAF as the RAF Drill Unit.
  • Deploys operationally under the guise of 63 Squadron RAF Regiment.
  • The Squadron holds the world record for completing over 2,700,000 foot and rifle drill movements in 23 hours and 55 minutes.

History

1960 - The Royal Air Force Drill Unit, which had been is existence since the early 1920s, formed into the Queen's Colour Squadron on 1 November.

1990 - As part of the restructuring of the RAF after the Cold War, QCS was given a field role under the number 63 Squadron RAF Regiment. The unit was formed in 1943, and saw service in Northern Ireland, the Far East and the Falklands War.

2003 - QCS deployed as 63 Squadron to provide ground defence to air assets in Basra. 

Based at

Crest for RAF Northolt

RAF Northolt

Contact

For media enquiries, please contact the media and communications team at RAF Northolt.

Media enquiries details for RAF Northolt

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