Training the crews of the RAF's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) fleet
Boldness to endure anything
54 Squadron is based at RAF Waddington, hub of the RAF's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance fleet. Aircraft flown include the Gauntlet, Spitfire, Phantom and the Jaguar. The Squadron became the ISTAR Operational Conversion Unit in 2005.
1916 Formed at Castle Bromwich.
1940 Took part in the Battle of Britain flying Spitfires, notable squadron pilots being the New Zealanders 'Al' Deere and Colin Gray.
1948 Flew the first ever crossing of the Atlantic by a jet aircraft in DeHavilland Vampires.
1974 The Squadron took delivery of the SEPCAT Jaguar in the ground attack role, which it performed for the next 36 years until 2005.
2005 Stood up as the ISTAR Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Waddington.
1916-1918 Western Front
Arras*
1917 Ypres
1917* Cambrai
Amiens*
1940-1945 Home Defence
1940 France and Low Countries
Dunkirk*
1940* Battle of Britain
1941* Fortress Europe
1943-1945* Eastern Waters
1991 Gulf
Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard.
Please contact the home station Media Communications team for more information or to contact the Squadron
Media enquiries details for RAF Waddington 
