202 Squadron

Be always vigilant

A mallard alighting - approved by King George VI in March 1937.

About

Stationed at RAF Valley on Anglesey, supporting 1 Flying Training School
Operated as a search and rescue squadron for more than 50 years
Aircraft flown include the Short Sunderland, Consolidated Catalina, Handley Page Hastings, Westland Whirlwind and Sea King
Provides mountain, maritime and SAR training to helicopter aircrew with the Airbus Helicopters Jupiter

1914 - Formed at Eastchurch, as 2 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service

1918 - Became 202 Squadron on the formation of the Royal Air Force

1939 - Began wartime anti-submarine flying-boat patrols from Gibraltar and Ireland

1946 - Re-equipped with the Handley Page Halifax as a weather reconnaissance squadron. Re-equipped with the Hastings in 1950

1964 - Disbanded and re-formed as a search and rescue unit, flying Westland Whirlwind helicopters. Re-equipped with the Sea King in 1978

2016 - Disbanded, but stood up again as 202 (Reserve) Squadron, a SAR training unit equipped with the Bell Griffin HT1

2018 - Re-equipped with the Jupiter

Western Front 1916-1918*

Atlantic 1939-1945*

Mediterranean 1940-1943*

North Africa 1942-1943

Biscay 1942-1943*

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