Although in existence since about Oct 1944, the Squadron officially formed on 1 Jan 1945 in India as a glider assault unit, in preparation for action against the Japanese but as the unit trained, so the war moved farther away. It was disbanded on 10 Nov 1945, never having seen action.
Reformed at RAF Wildenrath on 1 Jun 1971 from 131 Flight with Scout (and Beaver fixed wing), it remained there until being renamed 12 Flight on 1 Sep 1976.
Reformed at RAF Wildenrath on 1 Jun 1971 from 131 Flight with Scout (and Beaver fixed wing), it remained there until being renamed 12 Flight on 1 Sep 1976.
Until 1983 669 Squadron fell under 9 regiment. In this period 2 times temporarily based in Northern Ireland (Scout det.).
In 1983 9 regiment disbanded. The Squadron goes to the 4 regiment also stationed on Detmold. In 1995 4 regiment (654, 659, 669 Squadron) returned to the UK at Wattisham airfield.
From 2006 669 Squadron moved again to 9 regiment stationed at Dishforth.
In 1983 9 regiment disbanded. The Squadron goes to the 4 regiment also stationed on Detmold. In 1995 4 regiment (654, 659, 669 Squadron) returned to the UK at Wattisham airfield.
From 2006 669 Squadron moved again to 9 regiment stationed at Dishforth.
The Unit was deployed to Gornji Vakuf as part of SFOR and was there during Dec 1998, when Lynx AH.7 XZ610 crashed just outside the base.
669 Squadron was activated on 01apr78. Both, Beaver and Scouts were in use between 1971-1976. Later they flew Scout AH1, again, 1978-1981; Gazelle AH1, since 1979; Lynx AH1, 1987-1993; Lynx AH7, at least in 1990.
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669 Squadron List of helicopters |
C/N | Version | Built | In this Org | In other Org | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
f.9742 w/o 1978 | ah.1 | 1970 | XW614 : 669 Sq by Dec 1978, in Northern Ireland | ||||
1313 w/o 1998 | ah.1 | 1975 | XX395 : On exercise with 669 Sqn 4 Regt AAC in Kenya and not 1 Regt as stated. I w+ | ||||
1440 Scrapped | ah.1 | 1976 | XX448 : AAC Gazelle AH.1 built by Westland; 1991 669Sqn /A | ||||
1457 | ah.1 | 1976 | XX454 : AAC Gazelle AH1 built by Westland in 1987 669Sqn. | ||||
1465 | ah.1 | 1976 | XX456 : AAC Gazelle AH.1 built by Westland; 1987 669Sqn.; 1993 7Flt. | ||||
047 | ah1 | 1978 | XZ179 : AAC; 1994 type:AH7 669Sqn.; 2011 type:AH7 1Reg. | XZ179 XZ179 - G-NCKS | |||
107 | ah1 | 1979 | XZ203 : AAC; 1992 type:Lynx AH7 653Sqn.; 1997 671Sqn./Z; 1998 671Sqn.; 2000 671Sqn+ | ||||
1652 | ah.1 | 1977 | XZ331 : noted at Staverton | ||||
1677 | ah.1 | 1977 | XZ337 : AAC Gazelle AH1 built by Westland in 1987 669Sqn. | ||||
155 w/o 1998 | ah1 | 1979 | XZ610 : AAC; conv AH.7; 669 Sqn w/o near Sarajevo, Bosnia | ||||
239 | ah1 | 1981 | XZ674 : Fleetlands dep Sep 2005; 669 Sq 4 REGT Sep 2005 : AAC; 2007 type:Lynx AH7 669Sqn. | ||||
1950 | ah.1 | 1981 | ZB669 : noted at Middle Wallop Air Day | ||||
346 | ah9 | 1990 | ZG884 : 669 Sq (part of 9 REGT) at AAC Dishforth. Took part in farewell flypast on+ | ||||
354 | ah9 | 1991 | ZG915 : 669 Sq (part of 9 REGT) at AAC Dishforth. Took part in farewell flypast on+ |
669 Squadron Operations |
Dates | Operation | |
---|---|---|
2010-nov | 2011-feb | Operation Herrick |
2008-feb | 2008-may | Operation Herrick |
2004-apr | 2004-sep | Operation Telic |
1998-dec | 1999-jun | SFOR (stabilisation force) |