1419 Flight

Formed at RAF Stradishall on 1 March 1941 as 1419 (Special Duties) Flight by renumbering 419 (Special Duties) Flight, which itself had been created in August 1940 as a covert support unit. The task of supporting Churchills directive to set Europe ablaze grew too large for a single flight. The strategic importance of sabotage operations on mainland Europe justified the formation of a full squadron. On 25 August 1941, 138 (Special Duties) Squadron re-formed at Newmarket from the nucleus of 1419 Flight to do the job.

1419 (Tactical Support) Flight reformed in 2005 from a section of 28(AC) Squadron and moved to Basrah Air Base with the Merlin HC.3 to relieve the Chinooks of 1310 Flight on 10 Mar. Its role in Iraqs southern area of operations includes assault, fire support, troop moves, airborne command post, reconnaissance and surveillance, convoy protection and Casevac duties for the Multi National Division (South East) and it is also trialling new, extended range fuel tanks. 1419 Flight is part of the UK Joint Helicopter Command commitment to Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq) - JHF(I). It disbanded in May 2013.