On Tuesday 8th September, 15 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment formally arrived at Royal Air Force Marham. In a parade held within the Station and observing Covid-19 restrictions, Air Cdre Miller, the Force Protection Force Commander, and Gp Capt Beck, the RAF Marham Station Commander, reviewed and inspected the members of 15 Squadron RAF Regiment.
15 Squadron RAF Regiment have been based in East Anglia for the last 25 years, having been at RAF Honington in Suffolk since 1995. The Squadron departed RAF Honington over the summer with the RAF Honington Station Commander, Gp Capt Radnall, addressing a discrete ceremony in the Squadron hangar at the end of July to mark their departure whilst observing Covid-19 guidelines. During their move they have remained on standby to support national contingency operations, undertaking training in preparation for assuming global Air FP contingency readiness in early 2021.
When they arrived at RAF Honington in 1995 they were a ground based air defence (GBAD) unit and during their time there were deployed on Op RESINATE (South), Op TELIC 2 and multiple Falkland Islands GBAD tours until re-rolling as a Field Squadron. Between 2006 and 2014 the Squadron took part in no less than 6 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The Squadron had the honour of being the last RAF Regiment ground holding unit at Basra International Airport on Operation TELIC 13, and was also amongst the last British troops to leave Afghanistan at the end of Op HERRICK 20. With over 32 months deployed on Op HERRICK between 2001-2014 the Squadron was awarded the right to emblazon Afghanistan battle honour on its Squadron Standard.
Today 15 Squadron RAF Regiment is a Light Role Squadron capable of delivering the full spectrum of Force Protection effects. They have delivered FP as part of Project ERASMUS at RAF Marham and alongside 3 RAF FP Wing enabled the inaugural F-35 deployment, Ex Lightning Dawn at RAF Akrotiri, employing a broad spectrum of FP effects to secure fifth generation capability. More recently, the Squadron provided specialist Air FP to protect and enable the Lightning Force during work to complete a bespoke base infrastructure and layered technological security solution.
Speaking on arrival at RAF Marham, Sqn Ldr Ford, Officer Commanding 15 Squadron RAF Regiment said “This has been a long awaited and planned move to RAF Marham, with significant worked carried out by the Squadron and both Stations over the last 16 months. That we have arrived so efficiently and on time is a tribute to all involved. Whilst it was sad to leave RAF Honington, a base that has been the Squadron’s home for 25 years, RAF Marham offers a fantastic opportunity for all 15 Squadron RAF Regiment Service Personnel. We are no strangers to the Station, we are extremely excited to be here and all of us are looking forward to becoming part of the Station whilst at the same time undertaking operational preparation for assuming operational readiness early next year”.
Officer Commanding No. 3 RAF FP Wg stated “The relocation of 15 Squadron RAF Regiment will offer a significant additional dimension to the RAF Marham team. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment, alongside 2620 Regiment RAuxAF Squadron and all elements of 3 RAF FP Wg will integrate ever more closely with RN, RAF and industry specialists at RAF Marham to protect, enable and deliver next generation air power”.
Station Commander RAF Marham, Gp Capt Beck said: “I am delighted to formally welcome 15 Squadron RAF Regiment and their families to RAF Marham today. They have already provided elements of Force Protection support to the Lightning Force but having them permanently based here cements their place as an integral part of the team and of the RAF Marham community. They will work alongside our existing Security teams, bringing a different set of skills, to enable us all to continue delivering Combat Air Power for UK Defence.”
