Number 1(F) Squadron
Officer Commanding: Group Captain Peter McBeath
1(F) Sqn is the RAF’s oldest squadron and has been stationed at RAF Cottesmore since July 2000. It is one of four Operational Harrier squadrons which, when combined, form ‘Joint Force Harrier’. 1(F) Sqn operates the GR7/9 aircraft which deliver significant capability increases over the original second generation Harrier GR5. 1(F) Sqn’s origins go back to 1878 when it was formed as No1 Balloon Company, Royal Engineers, and then became 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corp, in May 1912. The squadron was incorporated into the Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918.
1(F) Sqn has played an active role in nearly every major British Operation since the First World War and continues to form part of the UK, NATO, EU and UN air power projection capability.
During 1917 1(F) Sqn took part in its’ first large operation, the Battle of Arras, and accumulated 200 enemy aircraft kills. Later the Sqn focused more on low level attacks and fighter bomber escort duties. In 1932, after the First World War, and equipped with the Hawker Fury, the squadron became known for aerobatic displays at air shows around the world.
The Second World War brought 1(F) Sqn back to the action as part of 67 Wing of the Advanced Striking Force deployed to France. However, in 1940 the tide of the war was such that the squadron was bombed out of its’ base at Berry-au-Bac and eventually returned back to the UK at Tangmere in June 1940. With the arrival of the Hurricane 11A’s came a night role which saw the squadron performing night intruder patrols until 1942. The change to Hawker Typhoons in 1942 brought a return to daytime operations for the squadron. In 1944, with Spitfire X1s, the squadron began anti-V patrols and accumulated 39 hits before the end of the Second World War.
In July 1969 the squadron convert to the Harrier and became the first operational squadron in the world flying this aircraft. The Falklands War saw the Harrier pressed into operational service, with 1(F) Sqn flying over 130 sorties from HMS Hermes initially, and then RAF Stanley.
In 1989 1(F) Sqn converted to the second generation Harrier GR5, and commenced night flying trials in 1992 with the arrival of the GR7. The GR7 saw operational service policing the Northern Exclusion Zone in Iraq between 1993 & 1995, and then moved onto police the Bosnian no-fly zone in 1995/1996.
With the end of the ‘Cold War’ the Harrier changed to Carrier based operations and 1(F) Sqn began work-up activities. This eventually saw the Sqn deploy aboard HMS Invincible for Op Bolton (Nov 97 – Mar 98). The Sqn continues with Carrier based operations and, since 2004, Joint Force Harrier has been committed to Op Herrick, Afghanistan, which sees 1(F) Sqn deploy for approx. 4 months each year.
Previous Aircraft Operated
vRAF 1(F) Sqn strives to live up to the professionalism and capabilities of their real world counter-parts, and is very aware of the Sqn’s motto, ‘Im Omnibus Princeps’ (First in All Things). 1 (F) Sqn provides the vRAF Air Command with a unique projected air power capability benefitting from a flexibility, mobility and concealment which other vRAF Sqn’s struggle to match. 1(F) Sqn pilots are trained to a high standard in Carrier Operations and the Close Air Support role, and pride themselves upon the Sqn’s abilities in these areas.
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