609 Squadron falls under 2 Force Protection Wing. Based at RAF Leeming, it is a RAF Reserve Combined Force Protection Squadron offering RAF Police and RAF Regiment roles, and mobilisation opportunities in the UK and overseas.
They train and operate in ground-based security roles and require a minimum commitment of 27 days (paid) per year which results in an annual tax-free lump sum ‘bounty’ payment.
1936 Formed at Yeadon as a bomber squadron and converted to fighters in 1938.
1939 - 1945 The unit was the first Spitfire squadron to achieve 100 air-to-air ‘kills’ in World War Two. The Squadron also pioneered the use of the Hawker Typhoon in the ground-attack role.
1945 - 1957 After the war, 609 Squadron converted to the Gloster Meteor jet fighter, until it was disbanded in 1957.
1998 The Air Defence Support Squadron was formed, a multi-traded reserve unit in the Air Defence Role to support the Tornado F3 Wing based at RAF Leeming.
1999 The Air Defence Support Squadron became an Operational Support Squadron and was granted the number 609.
1940 Dunkirk
1940 Battle of Britain
1940 France and Low Countries
1940 - 1944 Fortress Europe
1940 - 1944 Dieppe
1944 Normandy
1944 - 1945 France and Germany
1944 - 1945 Walcheren
