8 Flight

An Independent Flight undertaking special tasks and initially based in Malta at the formation of the AAC.

A (fixed wing) detachment was sent from Nairobi to Kuwait Jul-Sep 1961 for Operation Vantage. Received first of 4 Alouette II when it was based at Wilson Field, Nairobi in Sep 1961 (it had been an Auster, then Beaver unit until then). 8 Flt moved to Aden in Oct 1964, leaving 2 of its Beaver behind in Kenya reporting to 653 Sq, the 4 Alouettes were returned as air freight to the UK. The Flight re-equipped with 2 Scout from 13 Flt and 2 straight from Hayes in Jan 1965.

Renamed 658 Squadron on 1 Sep 2013.