1917 to present


united kingdom 72 Squadron

Royal Air Force









72 Squadron
Originally formed from A Flight of the Central Flying School at Upavon on 28 Jun 1917, 72 Squadron has had a long and distinguished service. Its rotary wing reputation began in Nov 1961 when it operated the Belvedere HC.1. After unsatisfactory experience with the Belvedere, it converted to the Wessex HC.2 in Aug 1964 and maintained a SAR detachment at RAF Manston (EGUM), as well as relieving 18 Squadron in providing a detachment of 3 Wessex to Nicosia in support of UNFICYP between Dec 1966 and Mar 1968.

On 16 Apr 1981 it moved its main base from Odiham to RAF Benson and on 12 Nov 1981 it transferred to its long time base at RAF Aldergrove (EGAA) in Northern Ireland in support of the Security Forces. From 1991 it also operated a small number of Puma HC.1s. It disbanded as a helicopter unit in Northern Ireland in Apr 2002 and since Jul 2002 operates as 72(R) Squadron, part of 1 FTS at RAF Linton-on-Ouse (EGXU) with the Tucano.



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  Locations


YearsLocationICAO/FAA
1981/02AldergroveEGAA
1981RAF BensonEGUB
1974/76Kent International / Manston closed 2014EGMH
1966/68CY Nicosia (Lefkosia)LCNC
1961/81RAF OdihamEGVO


helicopter   Models


Years Models
1997/02 SA330 Puma
1964/02 Wessex Wessex HC.2
1961/64 Type 192 Belvedere





  72 Squadron Operations


Dates Operation
1983-dec-091983-dec-09 Rescue from mv Antrim Princess
1969-may-041969-may-11 Daily Mail Atlantic Air Race






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