No. 360 Squadron RAF was an electronic countermeasures (ECM) squadron of the Royal Air Force.
| No. 360 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 April 1966 – 31 October 1994 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Air Force |
| Role | Electronic countermeasures training |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Confundemus (Translation: "We shall throw into confusion")[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge heraldry | In front of a trident erect, a moth, wings displayed[1] |
| Squadron Roundel |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | English Electric Canberra |
History
editThe squadron was created from the merger of the personnel of 831 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm (previously operating the Fairey Gannet ECM.6) and 'B' Flight, No. 97 Squadron RAF (flying English Electric Canberras) at RAF Watton on 1 April 1966. Initially it was known as Joint Electronic Warfare Trials and Training Force before being given its official designation of No. 360 [RN/RAF] Squadron on 23 September 1966. The squadron flew a number of Canberra types: B.2s, T.4s (for pilot training); a B.6; PR.7s and E.17s. The first Canberra T.17 was delivered just before Christmas 1966 and this type soldiered on until disbandment in 1994.
A sister squadron, No. 361 Squadron RAF was also formed in January 1967 for deployment to the Far East. However, following the 1967 Defence Review, 361 Squadron became redundant and was officially disbanded in July the same year.
No. 360 Squadron moved to RAF Cottesmore in April 1969. The official squadron badge was awarded in 1973: the trident represents the Royal Navy involvement, whilst the moth (of the species Melese laodamia) depicts the unique role of the Squadron (this particular moth avoids predatory bats by jamming their prey-finding "radar" system).[2] 360 Squadron moved again in September 1975 to RAF Wyton where it remained until being disbanded in October 1994, its work being taken over by Flight Refuelling Ltd.[3]
In 1991 360 Squadron achieved 25 years of service, and was presented with a Squadron Standard. No. 360 Squadron had many unique aspects: its role, its number had not been previously issued, and it is the only squadron to have been formed, awarded a Standard, and disbanded during Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
Aircraft operated
edit
| From | To | Aircraft | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1966 | English Electric Canberra | T.4 | |
| September 1966 | May 1967 | English Electric Canberra | B.6 |
| September 1966 | August 1967 | English Electric Canberra | B.2 |
| December 1966 | October 1994 | English Electric Canberra | T.17 |
| February 1987 | October 1994 | English Electric Canberra | T.17A |
| September 1991 | October 1994 | English Electric Canberra | E.15 PR.7 |
Squadron bases
edit| From | To | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April 1966 | 21 April 1969 | RAF Watton |
| 21 April 1969 | 1 September 1975 | RAF Cottesmore |
| 1 September 1975 | 31 October 1994 | RAF Wyton |
See also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d Halley 1988, p. 387.
- ^ Baker, E. (2018). "Bioacoustics and Military History". Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ Barrass, M. B. (2015). "No. 353–361 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- ^ a b Jefford 2001, p. 90.
Bibliography
edit- Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
- Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
External links
edit
- "360, 361 Squadrons". Royal Air Force. 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
- "No. 360 [RN/RAF] Squadron Aircrew Association". 360sqn.org.uk. 2014. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2007.