On 5 May 2026, personnel from Royal Air Force 54 Squadron marked the 110th anniversary of the unit’s formation, celebrating more than a century of distinguished operational service.
Originally established at Castle Bromwich in 1916 as part of the Royal Flying Corps, 54 Squadron has played a pivotal role in several of the RAF’s defining moments.
The Squadron saw extensive action on the Western Front during the First World War and later contributed to the evacuation at Dunkirk. It went on to achieve notable success during the Battle of Britain, emerging as the highest-scoring Squadron of the campaign. Its operational legacy has continued in more recent conflicts, including the Gulf War, Operation HERRICK, and Operation SHADER. The Squadron also holds the distinction of being the first RAF unit to fly a jet-powered aircraft, the Vampire, across the Atlantic.
More recently, in 2025, the Squadron marked 20 years as the RAF’s ISTAR Operational Conversion Unit. In this capacity, it delivers aircrew training for operators of E-3, Nimrod, Sentinel, Rivet Joint, Poseidon, Reaper, Shadow, and Protector. The unit also provides ISTAR tactician and Qualified Weapons Instructor-level training, alongside specialist instruction for engineers supporting Rivet Joint, Shadow, and Protector platforms.
To commemorate 110 years of service, Squadron personnel undertook a 110-mile relay run from Castle Bromwich, the unit’s original home, to RAF Waddington, its current base. Personnel from across all cadres participated, either running or supporting throughout the day, in a collective tribute to those who have served before them.
“Remembering the past endeavours of 54 Squadron is fundamental to the ethos of today’s unit. While our task has evolved, we continue to deliver Air Power with the same professionalism and dedication shown by those who served before us, often in the most demanding of circumstances. Taking time to reflect is important, and this run provided a fitting way to honour our history while strengthening our cohesion as a team. In the truest sense of our motto, we demonstrated the Boldness to Endure Anything, even 110 miles of running.”
Wing Commander Phillips
Officer Commanding 54 Squadron
The Squadron also conducted Exercise VIVRE LION, a four-day Force Development visit to France, during which personnel visited key sites linked to the Squadron’s heritage to commemorate and celebrate its achievements. Thirteen personnel attended, gaining insight into the role of 54 Squadron in the Battles of Arras (1917) and Cambrai (1917), as well as Operation DYNAMO, the evacuation of Dunkirk. Battle honours were awarded to the Squadron for each of these operations.
Highlights of Exercise VIVRE LION included a visit to the Dunkirk 1940 Museum, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Allied Memorial and a period of reflection on the beach. Learning about the resilience demonstrated by Air Commodore Alan Deere DSO, OBE, DFC & Bar during his time with 54 Squadron, particularly while flying Spitfires during Operation DYNAMO, proved especially impactful. Equally, an immersive underground tour of the Carrière Wellington Tunnels offered a poignant and thought-provoking experience, bringing to life the challenging conditions faced during the conflict.
Staff rides delivered by participants at key locations enabled the sharing of extensive Squadron history and achievements, reinforcing a strong sense of pride in its enduring legacy.
