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.
News about 1419 Flight |
Royal Air Force Merlin Operations in Iraq
14-Jun-05 - On March 19th 2005, No 1419 Flight, 28 (Army Co-operation) Squadron operating four Royal Air Force AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin HC Mk3 helicopters, declared Full Operational Capability (FOC). As part of the UK's Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq) supporting the UK led Multi National Division (South East), they continue to support the stabilisation and peace process within Iraq.
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Models 1419 Flt List of helicopters |
| C/N | Version | Built | In this Org | In other Org | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50113 | hc.3 | 2000 | ZJ122 : 1419 Flt /F, in Iraq Jun 2009 |  ZJ122 | |||
| 50137 | hc.3 | 2000 | ZJ125 : 1419 Flt /J, in Iraq Jun 2009 | ZJ125 | |||
| 50149 | hc.3 | 2001 | ZJ127 L : noted at Holbeach Range | ZJ127 ZJ127 | |||
| 50169 | hc.3 | 2001 | ZJ130 : 28/78 Sq/O by Oct 2009. Part of 1st detachment of RAF Merlin to Afghanista+ | ZJ130 | |||
| 50173 | hc.3 | 2001 | ZJ131 : 1419 Flt /P by Jun 2009;
returned to UK to MDMF Culdrose 1 Jul 2009 | ZJ131 | |||
| 50183 | hc.3 | 2001 | ZJ134 : 1419 Flt /S, in Iraq Jun 2009;
MDMF Culdrose on 9 Jul 2009 | ZJ134 | |||
| 50199 w/o 2010 | hc.3 | 2002 | ZJ138 X : deployed, in Iraq. X : RAF HC.3 d/d 22nov02; w/o heavy landing at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan; + | ||||
1419 Flight Operations |
| Dates | Operation | |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-oct | 2013-may |  Operation Herrick |
| 2005-mar-10 | 2009-mar |  Operation Telic |
