Formed at Old Sarum in Wiltshire on 20 Jun 1942 as an AOP unit during WWII, it was disbanded in Germany on 15 Sep 1945.
It played a key role in the Middle East when it reformed in Cyprus in May 1958 with Alouette II and Austers. It moved to Aden, then received its first two Scout in Mar 1964 after transit in HMS Bulwark, with 3 more arriving in May 1964. Disbanded Oct 1967.
It reformed at Netheravon in Oct 1969 with Sioux and Scout and provided roulement tours to Northern Ireland (mainly Aldergrove, but 1972 tour included detachments at Ballykelly and 1978 included Long Kesh), and further afield to Belize, Canada, Ethiopia and Norway. Disbanded Jul 1977 as part of the preparations to introduce 3 REGT into Germany.
Reformed at Soest as part of 4 REGT by renumbering 654 Squadron on 1 Apr 1978. While stationed in Soest, the unit rotated a small detachment of Scout at Omagh in NI between Oct 1978 and 1980.
It played a key role in the Middle East when it reformed in Cyprus in May 1958 with Alouette II and Austers. It moved to Aden, then received its first two Scout in Mar 1964 after transit in HMS Bulwark, with 3 more arriving in May 1964. Disbanded Oct 1967.
It reformed at Netheravon in Oct 1969 with Sioux and Scout and provided roulement tours to Northern Ireland (mainly Aldergrove, but 1972 tour included detachments at Ballykelly and 1978 included Long Kesh), and further afield to Belize, Canada, Ethiopia and Norway. Disbanded Jul 1977 as part of the preparations to introduce 3 REGT into Germany.
Reformed at Soest as part of 4 REGT by renumbering 654 Squadron on 1 Apr 1978. While stationed in Soest, the unit rotated a small detachment of Scout at Omagh in NI between Oct 1978 and 1980.
653 Sqd AAC were based at Netheravon Airfield during the 70s and only visited Aldergrove as part of the Northern Ireland support as did all European based Squadrons. These were typically 4 month tours and Aldergrove was the base for the UK based Squadrons when in NI.
Bill Horsburgh ex ACC chef: It was the first AAC Sqdn to have a ACC chef attached to it. Just prior to it moving from Carter Bks Bulford to Netherhaven Airfield where a Regt was formed. It would be very interesting if there was anyone out there remembers this
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Models 653 Squadron Operations |
| Dates | Operation | |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-may | 2013-sep |  Operation Herrick |
| 2011-sep | 2012-jan | Operation Herrick |
| 2010-jan | 2010-may | Operation Herrick |
| 1999-aug | 1999-oct |  KFOR (kosovo force) |
| 1980-jun-11 | 1980-oct-23 | Operation Banner |
| 1978-jun-12 | 1978-oct-13 | Operation Banner |
| 1975-dec-15 | 1976-apr-12 | Operation Banner |
| 1974-apr-17 | 1974-aug-15 | Operation Banner |
| 1972-aug-20 | 1972-dec-14 | Operation Banner |
| 1970-oct-21 | 1971-feb-19 | Operation Banner |
