18 Squadron

Providing rapid air mobility worldwide in support of the RAF on operations.

With courage and faith

Pegasus rampant - approved by King Edward VIII in May 1936. The Pegasus commemorated the unit's co-operation with the Cavalry Corps on the Somme during World War I.

About

  • Based at RAF Odiham, home of the UK Chinook Force
  • Claimed 200 air-to-air victories by the end of WWI
  • Former aircraft flown have included the Blenheim I and IV, Valiant and the Wessex
  • 18 Squadron provided tactical air transport to front-line troops in Iraq (Operation TELIC) and Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK)

History

1915 - Formed at RAF Northolt.

1941 - Dropped a replacement artificial leg to the captured Douglas Bader during a bombing mission.

1955 - Took part in the Suez crisis.

1982 - Provided the sole Chinook in the Falklands campaign.

2017 - Supported the UK relief effort in the Caribbean after hurricane Irma.

Battle honours

Western Front 1915-1918*

Somme 1916*

Somme 1918*

Hindenburg Line*

Lys

France and Low Countries

Invasion Ports 1940*

Fortress Europe 1940-1942

Channel and North Sea 1940-1941*

Egypt and Libya 1942

North Africa 1942-1943*

Mediterranean 1943

Sicily 1943

Salerno

South East Europe 1943-1944

Italy 1943-1945*

Gothic Line

South Atlantic 1982*

Gulf 1991

Iraq 2003-2011

(Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard)

Contact

Please contact the home station Media Communications team for more information or to contact the Squadron

Media enquiries details for RAF Odiham