ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY
606 ( Chiltern ) Squadron RAuxAF
606 ( Chiltern ) Sqn holds a unique position in RAF Sqn history . The number 606 was never allocated in the 1930 ’ s , although it was held in readiness when the majority of the Auxiliary Air Force was formed . The number was never activated as a flying Sqn and consequently it has never operated aircraft .
Formed as Helicopter Support Sqn of the RAuxAF at RAF Benson on 1 October 1996 and renamed as 606 Sqn on 1 October 1999 . It is numbered within the range allocated to flying sqns and provides valuable support role to the tactical support helicopter fleet yet does not operate any aircraft of its own . 606 Sqn has supplied personnel to Operations and Exercises globally .
Locations to which personnel have deployed include Germany , On the same day it was awarded its number , 606 Sqn officially joined Joint Helicopter Command ( JHC ), the tri-service organisation which unites and coordinates the battlefield military helicopters of the British Armed Forces . Personnel accompanied JHC units on operations in the Balkans in 1999 . 606 Sqn continued to support Operations in Bosnia , Kosovo , Iraq , and Afghanistan .
Most recently the 606 Sqn supported operations in Mali as well as the enduring support for Op SHADER in Cyprus . In 2023 606 Squadron was deployed to Brunei to assist No 1563 Flight with their move to Medicina Lines .
606 Squadron is the only RAF Reserve Squadron within Joint Helicopter Command which provides RAF Reserve personnel in support of the Support Helicopter Force within JHC . It does this by recruiting and training personnel in a range of ground-support branches and disciplines . These include Air and Space Operations , Chefs , RAF Regt Gunners , Electrical and Mechanical Engineers , MT , People Operations , Logistics , Physical Training Instructors .
606 Sqn has the honour of being associated with the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers who were granted their Royal charter in July 2021 . Other military units associated with the Lightmongers include HMS Queen Elizabeth . In 2021 606 Sqn was once again awarded the Robins Trophy . 606 Sqn has the privilege of being awarded this trophy on 4 occasions .
In October 2021 the Sqn celebrated 25 years with a formal parade and dinner .
3 RAF ( Reserves ) Police Squadron RAuxAF
Squadron Anniversary Parade July 22
3 RAF ( Reserves ) Police Sqn ( 3PS ) formed as 3 ( RAuxAF ) tactical Police Sqn ( 3TPS ) following Strategic Defence Review of 1998 . This recognised that deployed air operations are likely to take place at the end of a long supply chain or line of communication .
Control of this line of communication is a task which falls to the service military police organisations : the RAF Police and the Royal Military Police . To undertake this expanded task , the establishment of the RAF Police was increased by several both regular personnel and reservists . It was decided that the most effective way for the reservists to be formed was as members of the RAuxAF .
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