Members of 607 County of Durham (CD) Squadron went back to the Squadron’s historical home today (13 May 24) to mark a special anniversary with the gift of an iconic aircraft. The 10-strong RAF team travelled to Sunderland to hand over a Hawk T1 aircraft to the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM), which is housed on the site of the Squadron’s first base, RAF Usworth.
The gifting of the retired Hawk is one of the events commemorating 100 years of Volunteer Reserve Service in the RAF and was attended by a host of regional civic and military dignitaries. The Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Lucy Winskell OBE and the Air Officer England (North) Air Commodore Adam Sansom were among the guests.
607 Sqn is now based at RAF Leeming, which is also home to Hawk jets from 11 Squadron Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF), a partnership between QAEF and the RAF, which trains Qatari and RAF student pilots. The aircraft is probably most famous for being operated by the Red Arrows and is frequently seen in the North East. Officer Commanding 607 Squadron, Squadron Leader Deighton said that the Hawk was a fitting gift for the RAuxAF centenary given the Squadron links to the site at NELSAM.
“We are delighted, in the hundredth anniversary year of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, to be involved with the project to bring the Hawk to NELSAM. This event further strengthens the legacy ties with NELSAM and this location, which is the historic home of 607 Squadron.”
Squadron Leader Deighton
The event was also attended by 607 Squadron’s Honorary Air Commodore, Lady Charlotte Peel, who is the granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill. Brigadier Paul Baker represented the North of England Reserve Forces and Cadet Association as its Chief Executive.
