Number XI Squadron

virtual Officer Commanding: vWg Cdr Nathaniel Slater

Stationed at RAF Coningsby and operating the Eurofighter Typhoon F2 and FGR4 Variants, Number XI Squadron was the second front line Squadron to re-equip with the Typhoon and is now the lead multi-role Typhoon Squadron in the Royal Air Force

The squadron operated the Tornado F3 until 2005 when it was disbanded. It was reformed at RAF Coningsby in 2006 to operate the Typhoon F2 and later the FGR4. The Squadron received its first aircraft (ZJ931) on 9 October 2006

No. 11 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps was formed at Netheravon in Wiltshire on 14 February 1914 for "fighting duties". Since all previous squadrons (Royal Flying Corps or other nations) were reconnaissance or army co-operation units, 11 can make a claim to be the oldest fighter squadron in the world. The twin Eagles on the crest represent the twin seat "Vickers Gunbus" of the First World War.

On July 1st 1988 the Squadron reformed at RAF Leeming with the Tornado F.3 and deployed on operations to the Middle East and the Balkans. In 2003, the Squadron converted aircraft and crews to perform an additional role of SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defence). Retaining it's full air-to-air weapon fit, the Tornado EF.3 was unique to XI Squadron and was capable of both locating and destroying enemy SAM systems whilst fulfilling key fighter duties.

Shortly following the publication of the Future Capabilities study on 21 July 2004, XI(F) squadron disbanded in October 2005. The RAF announced that 11 Sqn will be the second front line squadron to re-equip with the Typhoon but will now be based at RAF Coningsby. The Squadron stood up at Coningsby on 29 March 2007, dropping the (F) designation in recognition of its new tasking as the Royal Air Force's lead Typhoon multi-role squadron

The squadron is tasked with actually protecting the UK with the use of CAPs and are the first to respond to any threat posed to the security of our airspace.