ROYAL AUXILIARY AIR FORCE I 100 th ANNIVERSARY in May continuing to improve on their strong performance of 2022 . June 23 saw the Sqn taking the lead for the Reserves part of the Armed Forces Day National Event in Falmouth , Cornwall . Now the largest it has ever been , 505 Sqn continues to grow and offer opportunities to serve the RAuxAF in the South-West and looks forward to many more successful years supporting the RAF both home and abroad and the local community .
Sqn personnel practising before participating in the annual International World Gig Rowing Championships held in the Scilly Islands
The Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force was formed at RAF College Cranwell in Oct 2015 , with its first attestation in 2016 .
The Band undertakes a variety of engagements , both independently and in support of the three Regular bands within Royal Air Force Music . The Band ’ s small ensembles perform extensively at events throughout the UK and worldwide .
Ensembles perform extensively at events throughout the UK and worldwide
In July 2018 , working alongside their Regular counterparts , RAF Reserve Musicians performed at several RAF100 events , including the RAF100 Gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall and the historical RAF100 parade in Central London . 2018 also saw members of the Band travel to Sydney , Australia , for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Down Under , and take part in the 75th anniversary of D-Day commemorations in Normandy , France .
RAF Reserve trumpet players are always in high demand . A close working relationship has developed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission ( CWGC ) with our Trumpeters often being part of the CWGC contingent on several overseas engagements , including events in Germany , France , Italy , and Albania .
In October 2021 , one of our Reserve Musicians performed ‘ The Last Post and Reveille ’ at the National Memorial Arboretum as part of the wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 20 th anniversary of the beginning of Op HERRICK , the UK military operations in Afghanistan . The ceremony was broadcast live on several television networks including BBC Breakfast .
In 2020 members of the Band responded to the call to be mobilised for full time duty in support of the Government ’ s response to the Coronavirus crisis on Op RESCRIPT , aiding public services throughout the UK . Recent years has seen a number of very high-profile State and Ceremonial engagements . The Unit was honoured to have Reserve musicians providing musical support for the funerals of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II , and His Late Royal Highness , Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh . Most recently the Unit undertook the prestigious ceremonial duties for the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla ; the musicians performed within the procession and route-lining bands , leading the RAF contingent .
In 2024 the RAuxAF Band is looking forward to playing the new RAuxAF March that is being composed specifically to mark the RAuxAF ’ s 100 anniversary .
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