Number 45(R) Squadron

virtual Acting Officer Commanding: vACM Mark Williams

45(R) Squadron is the RAF Basic Flight Training and Advanced Mulitengine Squadron Flying the C172 and the Beech King Air 200 both operated under contract from Serco Ltd. Based at RAF Cranwell in Linconshire, 45(R) Squadron is responsible for Elementary Flight Training of all fixed wing pilots and Advanced Flight Training for those pilots wishing to fly Multi-Engine Aircraft.

Formed during WWI at Gosport on March 1, 1916 as No. 45 Squadron, the unit was first equipped with Sopwith 1½ Strutters which it was to fly in the Scout role. In Mid 1917 the Squadron transistioned to the Sopwith Camel, condcucting long range Bomber Escorts. In 1919 the Squadron returned to England from France and disbanded. In April 1921 it reformed at Helwan, Egypt. Assigned Vickers Vernon bomber-transports, the unit provided troop transportation and ground support and mail services throughout the Middle East, notably in support of anti-rebel operations in Iraq and the Palestine. During the mid-war years the unit transitioned to DH9As (1927) and Fairey IIIs (1929) and then a combination of Hawker Harts, Vickers Vincents and Fairey Gordons (1935).At some point the unit adopted the nickname "The Flying Camels". The Squadron Badge is a winged camel, approved by King Edward VIII in October 1936. The badge and nickname derive from the Sopwith used by the unit in WWI and it's long service in the Middle East.

At the start of World War II, 45 Squadron was assigned Bristol Blenheims and was assigned to the Western Desert where it operated against the Italians and then the Germans until 1942. At that time the unit was deployed to the Burma and India. During its service against the Japanese, 45 Squadron transitioned to Vultee Vengeance dive-bombers and the de Havilland Mosquito.

After World War II, 45 Squadron served in the Malayan Emergency, flying out of RAF Station Tengah on the island of Singapore. There the unit engaged in ground attack operations against Communist Terrorists (CTs) engaged in a Chinese backed insurgency. Dubbed Operation Firedog, these operations lasted for 12 years until the successful conclusion of the war. The unit also engaged in operations to quell unrest on the Sarawak coast in British North Borneo during this time period. While operating in Malaya the unit initially flew Bristol Beaufighters but then transitioned to the Bristol Brigand (1949/1950) and then the de Havilland Hornet, de Havilland Venom, de Havilland Vampire and English Electric Canberra.

After re-equipping with Canberra B.15s in 1962, the squadron became involved in the Brunei Revolution and the subsequent Confrontation with Indonesia until its resolution in 1966. The squadron disbanded in February 1970 after the UK’s withdrawal from East of Suez.

On 1 August 1972, the squadron was reformed at RAF West Raynham, equipped with Hawker Hunters, as a ground-attack training unit. The squadron disbanded in July 1976 after this role was taken over by the Tactical Weapons Unit.

In January 1984, the squadron number, as No. 45 (Reserve) Squadron, was assigned to the Tornado Weapons Conversion Unit TWCU) at RAF Honington. In July 1992, the No. 45(R) Squadron identity was transferred to the Multi-Engined Training Squadron (METS) at No. 6 FTS, RAF Finningley while the TWCU was renumbered No. 15(R) Squadron. The new 45(R) Squadron moved to RAF Cranwell in October 1995, and in 2003, replaced its BAe Jetstream T.1s with Beechcraft B200 King Airs operated by Serco Ltd.

vRAF's No. 45(R) Squadron is dedicated to providing some of the best flight training on VATSIM, utilising experience from a team of Qualified Flight Instructors who specialise in Fixed Wing Flight Training.