THE SQUADRON

230 Squadron is based at RAF Benson and is home to the RAF's Puma Force. Initially formed as a maritime reconnaissance unit. Aircraft flown include Sunderland I, Twin Pioneer, Whirlwind HAR10 and the Puma HC1. The dramatically upgraded Puma HC2 remains in great demand around the globe and on Operation Toral in Afghanistan.

We search far

BASED AT

RAF Benson

What we fly

Puma HC2

Support helicopter, Current

History

1918   Formed in Felixstowe.

1946   Returned to the UK from Singapore.

1962   Transformed to a helicopter unit with the arrival of its first Whirlwind.

1972   Declared combat ready with the Puma HC1.

BATTLE HONOURS

1918*   Home Waters

1940 - 1943*   Mediterranean

1940 - 1943*   Egypt and Libya

1940 - 1941*   Greece

1940 - 1942*   Malta

1943 - 1945*   Eastern Waters

1944*   North Burma

1945*   Burma

1991   Gulf

2003 - 2011*   Iraq

*Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard.