Merlin Force Structure
On 3rd December 2007 the growing Merlin Force was split into 28 (AC) Squadron, 78 Squadron, and Merlin Force Engineering Squadron (MFES). Currently, 78 Squadron consists of an HQ element and 3 operational flights, whilst 28 (AC) Squadron has an HQ element, 2 operational flights and an embedded Operational Conversion Flight (OCF). The OCF outputs Limited Combat Ready (LCR) aircrew to the operational flights. Both squadrons' aircrew will eventually become dual trained on both the HC3 and HC3A, and even though there are differences there will be no separate currency for the new aircraft. 78 Squadron also includes the Training, Development and Standards Flight (TDSF) which is responsible for all environmental training, Combat Ready (CR) work-up and Merlin HC3A differences training. Each flight now consists of 6 crews and currently deploys on operations under the'Fight-by-Flight' regime. Over the next few years, the number of crews on each sqn will gradually increase as output from the OCF is successfully achieved.
Due to the growing size of each sqn, each flight now has it's own attached engineering personnel as well as the many other personnel who make up the HQ and Support element of the Force.
28 (AC) Squadron
Number 28 Squadron formed at Gosport on 7 November 1915 from a nucleus provided by No 22 Squadron. For 18 months it was a training unit before moving to Yatesbury in July 1917 and was re-equipped with Sopwith Camels before moving to France in October. The Squadron had barely settled on the continent when it was moved to Italy, along with the British Expeditionary Force, to bolster the forces in that country. No 28 Squadron remained in Italy until February 1919 flying offensive patrols before returning home for the inevitable disbandment of the unit on 20 January 1920.
Four months later, the Squadron reformed by renumbering No 114 Squadron based at Ambala in India, equipped with the trusty Bristol Fighter and operating on the North-West Frontier as an Army Co-operation (AC) unit. The 'Brisfits' soldiered on until September 1931 when Wapitis arrived, these in turn being replaced by Audaxes in 1936. It wasn't until September 1941 that "modern" equipment, in the form of Lysanders, arrived. These were used to support British Forces in Burma fighting the Japanese advance until the country was over-run. The Squadron re-grouped at Lahore and co-operated in a series of exercises until the end of the year when it traded the Lysanders for Hurricane fighter-bombers. The 'Hurri-bombers' as they were known commenced operations over Burma in January 1943 and continued through to the Japanese surrender by which time No 28 (AC) had started to re-equip with Spitfires. The Squadron then returned to Burma as part of the permanent defence force before transferring to Hong Kong in May 1949 in light of the situation in China.
February 1951 saw Vampires arrive and the Squadron on the move again, this time to Sek Kong where it remained for three years before returning to Kai Tak and receiving Venoms. The multi-role Hunter was taken on strength in 1962 before the unit was disbanded in December 1966. On 1 April 1968, No 28 (AC) Squadron reformed at Kai Tak, this time with Whirlwind helicopters. These were replaced by the Wessex in early 1972. No 28 (AC) was the last unit to leave the colony of Hong Kong before it was returned to Chinese control in June 1997 during which time it provided support not only to British Forces, but local authorities on the colony.
The Squadron reformed at RAF Benson on 17 July 2001 with the Merlin HC Mk 3. It currently has 2 Operational Flights and an embedded Operational Conversion and Training Flight. Since entering service, the Squadron has deployed the Merlin on training exercises from the Arctic Circle to the Middle East and Africa. In addition 28 (AC) Squadron was involved in the demonstration of the Merlin's capability in the USA that resulted in its selection as the replacement Presidential helicopter (which has subsequently been cancelled by the US governement).
Operationally, the Squadron has spent time in Bosnia and 4.5 years deployed on Op TELIC at Basrah Air Station in Iraq, along with their neighbours from 78 Squadron, under the guise of 1419 (Merlin) Flight. The Sqn has deployed in April this year for the first time as part of the coalition forces under the umbrella of the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) on Operation HERRICK. Once again, they will be working as part of 1419 Flight for the forseeable future, alternating with their colleagues on 78 Sqn.
Motto: Quicquid agas age - 'Whatsoever you may do, do'.
Badge: In front of a demi-Pegasus, a fasces, approved by HM King Edward VIII in October 1936. The demi-Pegasus represents the chalk white horse on the downs near Yatesbury, Wiltshire- the Squadron's first operational base - while the Roman fasces commemorate service in Italy during the First World War.
Battle Honours: Italian Front and Adriatic 1917-1918, Piave, Vittoria Venito, Waziristan 1921-1925, North-West Frontier 1939, Burma 1942, Arakan 1943-1944, Manipur 1944, Burma 1944-1945.
78 Squadron
Formed at Newhaven on 1 November 1916, Number 78 Squadron and its BE2s was designated as a Home Defence unit, responsible for intercepting marauding Zeppelins as they attacked targets on the south coast, moving some six months later to London to defend the capital when German bomber raids started. Shortly before the Armistice in November 1918, the unit started to re-equip with 1½-Strutters, but never received its full complement before disbanding, like many other squadrons in 1919.
The Squadron was not reformed until 1 November 1936 when 'B' Flight of No 10 Squadron based at Boscombe Down was retitled. Now flying Heyford night bombers, the Squadron moved to Dishforth in Yorkshire and became part of the newly created No 4 Group. In the summer of 1937, No 78 began converting to Whitleys, and following the outbreak of World War II, was tasked with the training of newly formed crews prior to posting on to operational squadrons. The unit joined the front line bomber force in July of 1940, taking up night bomber duties until re-equipping with Halifaxes in 1942. For the remainder of the European War, the unit continued in this role, but in May 1945 it was transferred to Transport Command and, after converting to Dakotas, moved to Egypt. Here, No 78 took up route flying around the Mediterranean, North Africa and Middle East, receiving Vallettas in 1950, before disbanding at Fayid, Egypt at the end of September 1954.
On 24 April 1956, No 78 Squadron reformed, this time in Aden as a tactical transport unit equipped initially with Pioneers and then the larger Twin Pioneer. Detachments were undertaken all around the region, and it was felt that some sort of firepower capability should be added to the aircraft, and so guns were mounted in the rear entrance and missiles fitted under the wings. In 1962, the unit achieved what is believed to be the first firing of a guided missile by the RAF in an attack against rebel forces in Aden - quite an achievement for a transport squadron! No 78 Squadron was disbanded in December 1971. Since reforming in the Falkland Islands on 22 May 1986, the Squadron has flown Chinooks and Sea Kings, the latter having a secondary Search and Rescue role.
On 3 Dec 2007, No 78 Sqn relocated to RAF Benson and was re-equipped with Merlin HC Mk3 and Mk3A helicopters as a dedicated Support Helicopter squadron. Having 'inherited' an existing operational flight from its sister Merlin squadron, No 78 Squadron personnel and aircraft were immediately deployed on operations in Iraq to work under the guise of 1419 Flight support Coalition Forces on Op TELIC.
At the closure of Operation TELIC last year, 78 Sqn 'C' Flight flew the last RAF aircraft to be permanently based in Iraq, all the way back to RAF Benson to conclude this particular chapter of operations'.
In November 2009, personnel from 'A' Flt and MFES (as it was then) led the way for the first deployment of the RAF Merlin into Afghanistan as part of Op HERRICK. Under the guise of 1419 (Merlin) Flt once again, they set up the detachment which today operates a number of Merlin Mk3s from Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.
On the Sqn there are currently 3 Operational Flights, A & B, and C. There is also a Training, Development and Standards Flight (TDSF) which is responsible for all environmental training, Combat Ready (CR) work-up and Merlin HC3A differences training.
Motto: Nemo non paratus - 'Nobody unprepared'
Badge: A heraldic tiger rampant and double queued - approved by King George VI in November 1939. The theme of the badge was based on the Squadron's aircraft at the time, the Whitley, which had Tiger engines and twin tails.
Battle Honours: Home Defence 1916-1918*, Fortress Europe 1940-1944*, Ruhr 1940-1945*, Invasion Ports 1940, Biscay ports 1940-1943, Berlin 1940-1944*, Channel and North Sea 1942-1945*, Normandy 1944*, Walcheren, France and Germany 1944-1945*, Rhine*.
(Honours marked with an asterisk, are emblazoned on the Squadron Standard)
1419 (Merlin) Flight
No. 1419 Flight was first formed in World War II and is the deployed element of both 28(AC) Squadron and 78 Squadron having reformed on 5 March 2005, replacing 1310 Flight.
It remained part of the Multi-National Coalition Force supporting operations as part of Op TELIC in Iraq until the Spring of 2009. It operated as part of the Joint Helicopter Force (Iraq) from the Coalition Operating Base (COB) at Basrah airport in Southern Iraq.
The Flight consisted of 5 HC3 Merlin helicopters plus a number of aircrew and support staff which returned to the UK after the cessation of British operations in Southern Iraq had been completed.
After a short break to reset and re-train, 1419 Flt was once again called upon to become the face of the Merlin Force, this time as part of Operation HERRICK in Afghanistan. Currently the aircraft and personnel are part of the Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) based at Camp Bastion in Helmand Province. They will remain there until the current mission is complete.