16 (South Yorkshire) Squadron Reformation at RAF Waddington
Experienced ex-Service personnel are stepping back into uniform to join the newly reformed 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF).
80 years after its original formation the Squadron has
reformed at RAF Waddington on 1st April 2019 and is made up entirely of Part-Time Volunteer Reservists recruited to support high demand employment fields. Personnel are exclusively from the ex-Regular Armed Forces community from in and around the Lincolnshire area.
In its new role the Squadron provides specialist support to the RAF’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Force in addition to delivering a Combat Air capability.
The reformation was marked with the presentation of the official 616 Squadron badge to the Officer Commanding, Squadron Leader Deborah Crowther. Presenting the badge, the Inspector of the RAuxAF, Group Captain Gavin Hellard, said
"The addition of 616 Squadron provides the RAF with a unique capability and will lead an expansion of support at RAF Waddington to ensure the ongoing delivery of battle winning ISTAR and combat airpower"
Originally under the command of the Earl of Lincoln, 616 Squadron was the last flying squadron of the 21 Auxiliary Air Force to be formed and was subsequently involved in many of the pivotal events of the Second World War from the evacuation of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain to the D Day landings and the distinction as the first Allied unit to fly jet aircraft.
To find out more about the opportunities available for those with previous RAF Service, please contact 616 Squadron at the following address: 616 (South Yorkshire) Squadron RAuxAF, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, LN5 9NB. Telephone: 01522 726802.
