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8 Squadron

Forming the UK’s contribution to the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force.

Everywhere unbounded

A sheathed Arabian dagger - approved by King George VI in December 1943, and adopted in recognition of the units long association with Arabia. The weapon is sheathed to symbolise the guardian duties of the Squadron.

About

  • Based at RAF Waddington, hub of the RAF's Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance fleet
  • Flew low-level tank contact patrols in WWI
  • Aircraft flown have included the Vincent, Liberator, Hunter FGA9 and the Shackleton AEW2
  • Provided air security for the 2012 London Olympics
  • Scheduled to re-equip with the Wedgetail AEW.1

History

1915 - Formed at Brooklands.

1956 - Took part in the Suez crisis.

1991 - E-3D entered RAF service.

2003 - Took part in Operation TELIC in Iraq.

2021 - E-3D Sentry AEW1 retired.

Based at

RAF Waddington

Battle honours

Western Front 1915-1918

Loos

Somme

Arras

Cambrai 1917

Somme 1918

Amiens

Hindenburg Line

Kurdistan 1922-1924

Aden 1928

Aden 1929

Aden 1934

East Africa 1940-1941

Eastern Waters 1942-1945

Burma 1945

Kosovo, Iraq 2003.

Libya 2011

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

Contact

Please contact the home station Media Communications team for more information or to contact the Squadron

Media enquiries details for RAF Waddington