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's mission is to provide airspace surveillance and Tactical Air Command and Control for NATO Air Policing and National Air Counter-Terrorism missions and deployed operations worldwide.
The Squadron operates with numerous Flights:
Operations Flights
A and B 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.
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
1916 - 1918* Western Front
1916* Somme
1916* Arras
1917* Ypres
1918 Somme
1918 Lys
1918 Amiens
1918 Hindenburg Line
1918* Dunkirk
1940 - 1942 Home Defence
1940* Battle of Britain
1942 Channel and North Sea
1942 - 1944* Fortress Europe
1942 - 1944* Dieppe
1944* Normandy
1944 Arnhem
1944 - 1945 France & Germany
*Honours marked with an asterisk are those actually emblazoned on the Squadron Standard.
