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.
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 about 18 Squadron |
Operation Peleda : RAF Chinooks in Estonia
23-Jan-23 - Royal Air Force 18(B) Squadron deployed 3 Chinook helicopters to Ämari Air Base, Estonia for Operation Peleda #EstoniaBritish Helicopters in Swift Response 2022
19-May-22 - 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. #SwiftResponseBritish Joint Helicopter Command in Mali
13-Nov-20 - 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 #MaliRAF 1310 Flight in Mali
12-Aug-20 - 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 #AfricaHMS Ocean Departs for BALTOPS 2016
02-Jun-16 - 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.
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18 Squadron Operations |
Dates | Operation | |
---|---|---|
2017-sep-11 | 2017-oct | Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria Relief Operations |
2003-feb-08 | 2003-jun-12 | Operation Telic |
1991-jan-06 | 1991-mar-15 | Operation Desert Shield/Storm |
Operation Corporate | ||
Operation Musketeer |