XIX Squadron

19 Squadron has responsibility for radar control and surveillance within NATO Air Policing Area 1 and provides tactical control for the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) response.

"They can because they think they can"

Awarded in May 1936, the badge shows a dolphin to represents the name of the aircraft used by the Squadron during 1918. It is also a very active creature, in reflection of the unit’s service record.

About

XIX Squadron has responsibility for radar control and surveillance within NATO Air Policing Area 1 and provides tactical control for the UK’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) response. Furthermore, the Squadron supports UK, NATO, and Joint exercises with tactical control and identification.

The Squadron operates with numerous Flights:

  • Operations Flights – A, B and C Flights form the bulk of the Squadron personnel. It is their responsibility to provide operators to deliver the Squadron’s duties in the UK and on overseas operations.
  • Support Flights – Including Plans, Assurance, Total Safety, Mission Support and Co-ord Flights. The tasking of these sections is to manage and support the Operations Flights in delivery of all of XIX Squadron duties.
  • No. 1 Air Control Centre  – provide a deployed air control and surveillance capability both in the United Kingdom and on deployed operations worldwide.

Mission

Provide airspace surveillance and Tactical Air C2 in support of National Counter-Terrorism, NATO air policing and deployed operations, and the provision of a rapidly deployable, tactical ATM capability.

History

1915 - 19 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed

1916 - deployed to France in using B.E.12’s and then SPAD S.VIIs

1917 - equipped with Sopwith Dolphins

1919 - disbanded at the end of World War One

1923 - reformed at RAF Duxford flying numerous different fighters

1938 - becomes the first RAF Squadron to operate the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I

1940 - provided air cover over the Dunkirk beaches as part of the Duxford Wing, No. 12 Group's 'Big Wing' formation during the Battle of Britain.

1992 - hands over its number plate to the former 63 Squadron, becoming No. 19 (Reserve) Squadron.

1994 - moves to RAF Valley to provide advanced Fast Jet Training on the BAE Hawk.

2011 - disbands and hands over to 4 Squadron.

2021 - number plate allocated to the RAF's Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) based at RAF Boulmer, where it continues to carry out a critical air-defence role for the UK and NATO

Battle honours

  • Western Front (1916-1918)*
  • Somme (1916)*
  • Arras
  • Ypres (1917)*
  • Somme (1918)
  • Lys
  • Amiens
  • Hindenburg Line
  • Dunkirk*
  • Home Defence (1940-1942)
  • Battle of Britain (1940)*
  • Channel and North Sea (1942-1942)
  • Fortress Europe (1942-1944)*
  • Dieppe
  • Normandy 1944*
  • Arnhem
  • France & Germany (1944-1945)

Honours marked with an asterisk(*) are those actually emblazoned on the Squadron Standard.

Contact

XIX Squadron is based at RAF Boulmer.

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