HRH The Duchess of Cornwall joins 100 Squadron Celebrations
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall, Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Leeming joined in with centenary celebrations for 100 Sqn.
The
Duchess joined Squadron and Station personnel and families to watch a drill
display by the renowned Queen’s Colour Squadron, followed by a flypast of 100
Squadron’s distinctive black Hawk T1A jets.
She
said: “I’m honoured to be here on this historic occasion to celebrate the
Centenary of 100 Squadron. When I presented their new Standard to them in 2010,
who would have known that this generation of pilots would be conducting
operations in the skies above Syria and Iraq, in the most intense and sustained
air operation that the RAF has conducted in the last 25 years?
“One
this very special occasion we honour the heroism, and valour of our
predecessors. But let’s not forget that as today marks the passing of the baton
to the new generation of Airmen, the next chapter of this Squadron is yet to be
written.”
The
Duchess was then invited to meet with personnel and families from across RAF
Leeming, as well as special guests including 100 Squadron association veterans.
For Wing Commander Andy Wright, Officer Commanding 100 Squadron, it was a
personally special day. He said: “It’s been a real honour to have the Duchess
of Cornwall with us today – everyone has been walking around with a smile on
their face. Before I arrived here, I knew I would be lucky enough to be here
for this day. As I was writing my speech for the dinner I researched
the Squadron history and there has been so much – on this day in 1917 the Squadron
was days away from going to France to take on the Red Baron, for example.
“100 Sqn
has a really rich history, but we are also very proud of our current role as
the RAF’s sole aggressor unit, and carrying the baton into the future.”
The first Royal Flying Corps squadron to be formed
specifically for night bombing, Number 100 Squadron formed at Hingham, Norfolk
on 23 February 1917. It continued its bombing role through World War II,
operating Lancasters from RAF Grimsby. Now
serving as the RAF’s sole Aggressor Squadron ‘The Ton’ delivers a huge range of operational training, including
support to the Typhoon force and JTAC serials for the British Army. InNovember
2010, 100 Squadron received a new Squadron Standard from Her Royal Highness,
The Duchess of Cornwall.
Editor: MCO RAF Leeming
© MOD Crown Copyright 2017