No. 360 Squadron RAF

No. 360 Squadron RAF
Active 1 April 1966 – 31 October 1994
Country United Kingdom 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

No. 360 Squadron RAF was an electronic countermeasures (ECM) squadron of the Royal Air Force.

History

The 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). 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.[2]

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

An English Electric Canberra T17 of No. 360 Sqn at Aviano Air Base, Italy
Aircraft operated by no. 360 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3]
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
September 1991 October 1994 English Electric Canberra PR.7
September 1991 October 1994 English Electric Canberra E.15

Squadron bases

Bases and airfields used by no. 355 Squadron RAF, data from[1][3]
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

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Halley 1988, p. 387.
  2. ↑ Barrass, M. B. (2015). "No. 353–361 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  3. 1 2 Jefford 2001, p. 90.

Bibliography

  • Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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