18 Squadron

Established 1915

History C/N Photos

Formed on 11 May 1915, 18 Squadron saw service in both World Wars. After distinguished service during the Berlin Airlift and a period as V Bomber unit, rotary wing operations commenced in Feb 1964 when it reformed at RAF Odiham, with the Wessex HC.2 in the Army support role. A flight of 3 Wessex supported the UNFICYP Flight between Jan 1965 and Dec 1966 at Nicosia. The unit served in the UK, Germany and Cyprus disbanding in Germany on 30 Nov 1980.

It was reformed in Aug 1981 with Chinook HC.1s and provided an intensive airlift from RNAS Culdrose to the Operation Corporate Task Force, before both went on to serve in the Falkands. A period in Germany followed, which included operation of the Puma HC.1 alongside its Chinooks before returning to RAF Odiham in 1997 and handing its Pumas on to 33 Squadron. 18 Squadron is committed to Joint Helicopter Command.

News

Operation Peleda : RAF Chinooks in Estonia

Jan 23, 2023 · Royal Air Force 18(B) Squadron deployed 3 Chinook helicopters to Ämari Air Base, Estonia for Operation Peleda
British Helicopters in Swift Response 2022

May 19, 2022 · 3000 troops from 8 NATO countries taking part of Exercise Swift Response in North Macedonia lead by British 16 Air Assault Brigade with Apache and Chinook helicopters.
British Joint Helicopter Command in Mali

Nov 13, 2020 · British Tri-Service Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) deployed RAF Chinook heavy lifting helicopters in Mali since 2018 in support of the French-led counter-terrorism operation in the Sahel
RAF 1310 Flight in Mali

Aug 12, 2020 · Detachments from Royal Air Force 18 and 27 Squadrons from RAF Odiham rotate every 3 to 4 months to provide crews to CH-47 Chinook helicopters deployed in Mali under Operation Newcombe in support of the French anti-terrorist mission Operation Barkhane
HMS Ocean Departs for BALTOPS 2016

Jun 2, 2016 · The Royal Navy’s Flagship HMS Ocean (L12) departed Devonport to take part in NATO exercise BALTOPS 2016 in the Baltic Sea with 16 allied and partner nations.

Locations

1964-1965	EGVO ODH	RAF Odiham
1965-1968	ETUO GUT	Princess Royal Barracks / RAF Gutersloh
1965-1966	LCNC NIC	Nicosia (Lefkosia) International Airport
1968-1969		Acklington
1970-1980	ETUO GUT	Princess Royal Barracks / RAF Gutersloh
1981-1983	EGVO ODH	RAF Odiham
1982		Old House Creek FOB
1983-1992	ETUO GUT	Princess Royal Barracks / RAF Gutersloh
1991	OERY XXN	Riyadh AB
1991		Ras-al-Ghar Military Port
1992-1996	EDUL	Dusseldorf Regional / RAF Laarbruch
1997-	EGVO ODH	RAF Odiham

Models

1964-1980	Westland Wessex HC.2
1981-1995	Boeing-Vertol CH-47C Chinook
1992-1994	Aerospatiale SA330 Puma
1995-	Boeing Chinook HC2 / HC2A / HC3

Operations

--		Operation Musketeer
02 Apr 19821982	17 Jun 19821982	Operation Corporate
06 Jan 19911991	15 Mar 19911991	Operation Desert Shield/Storm
08 Feb 20032003	12 Jun 20032003	Operation Telic
11 Sep 20172017	Oct 20172017	Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria Relief Operations

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