About
30 Squadron is based at RAF Brize Norton. As the Worlds’ first Aerial Delivery Squadron, resupplying the besieged Fort of Al Amara, Iraq in April 1916. It has been active in offensive operations during both World Wars and more latterly transport and parachuting operations, as well as air-to-air refuelling for military support and Humanitarian Aid response. 30 Squadron has operated aircraft including the Henry Farman, Wapiti, Scout, Blenheim, Hurricane, Thunderbolt, Dakota, Valetta and Beverley. Since 1971, the Squadron's Hercules fleet has been involved in almost every RAF operation including sustained deployed support to the Falkland Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq.
In December 2016 the Squadron ceased flying the C-130J Hercules and entered a period of transition preparing to operate the A400M Atlas. The Squadron’s crest of a black Real Date Palm tree signifies the unit’s origins and significant actions in the desert, with the motto “Ventre A Terre” meaning ‘Flat Out’ on operations.
30 Squadron is the newest operational unit to use the Airbus A400M Atlas in Global operations, war-fighting, humanitarian and disaster relief scenarios.
