No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment

No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment is a field squadron of the Royal Air Force Regiment, the ground-combat arm of the Royal Air Force. Its core responsibility is the close protection and ground defence of Royal Air Force airfields and deployed air bases against attack. Unlike a commercial brand, the squadron is a military formation whose identity is expressed through its designation, traditions, operational record and battle honours. The unit originated in June 1946, when No. 2700 Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron at RAF Nethertown was reorganised as No. 15 Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron. In June 1947 it adopted the name No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment. Its early post-war service reflected the changing security needs of British air stations. In 1957, personnel were assigned to security and defence duties in Northern Ireland, including service at RAF Aldergrove and RAF Ballykelly. From 1959, the squadron moved into a prolonged period of overseas service in the Far East. During the 1962 Brunei revolt, it helped protect British interests and air facilities while supporting efforts to contain the attempted coup. Between 1964 and 1969, it was based at RAF Seletar in Singapore. During the 1970s, No. 15 Squadron undertook duties across a wide geographic area, including the Middle East, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. Its equipment and tactical role also changed. From 1982 to 1990 it operated as a light-armour squadron equipped with Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) vehicles. It subsequently assumed an air-defence role using the Rapier surface-to-air missile system. The squadron was disbanded in July 1990 while located at RAF Hullavington. The formation was re-established in 2003 as a field squadron and deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in support of Operation TELIC, the United Kingdom's military operation in Iraq. After returning from Kuwait, it continued Rapier-related commitments and deployed personnel to the Falkland Islands in 2004 and 2005. From 2006 onward, its principal emphasis was ground defence, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its most prominent later deployment was to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where it provided the final RAF Regiment troops serving on the ground in the airfield-defence role during the coalition withdrawal. The squadron left Camp Bastion in October 2014, with some personnel departing on the final helicopter movements from the base; the remaining members returned to the United Kingdom in November 2014. In March 2020, the squadron received permission to display a battle honour on its standard in recognition of its service during the War in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. The squadron's headquarters is now at RAF Marham, following its move from RAF Honington. Its continuing purpose is the protection of air power, personnel and infrastructure, whether at a United Kingdom station or on an expeditionary deployment.

No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment was formed in June 1946 at RAF Nethertown as No. 15 Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron. It was created from No. 2700 Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron during the post-war reorganisation of British air-defence forces. The unit adopted its present designation, No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment, in June 1947. Its first decades were shaped by the global responsibilities of the post-war Royal Air Force. In 1957, the squadron undertook security and defence duties in Northern Ireland, with personnel serving at RAF Aldergrove and RAF Ballykelly. From 1959, it served in the Far East. During the 1962 coup attempt in Brunei, its personnel supported British efforts to restore security and protect strategic facilities. The squadron later operated from RAF Seletar in Singapore between 1964 and 1969. The 1970s brought further deployments and security tasks in the Middle East, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. The squadron also underwent an important capability transition. From 1982 until 1990 it was configured as a light-armour squadron and used CVR(T) vehicles. It later moved into ground-based air defence with the Rapier missile system. The unit was disbanded in July 1990 at RAF Hullavington. No. 15 Squadron was re-formed in 2003 as a field squadron. It deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in support of Operation TELIC and the United Kingdom's operations connected with the Iraq War. Following that deployment, it retained Rapier commitments and sent personnel to the Falkland Islands during 2004 and 2005. From 2006, its role centred increasingly on ground defence, with operational service in both Afghanistan and Iraq. In Afghanistan, the squadron contributed to the protection of coalition air infrastructure. In October 2014 it provided the last RAF Regiment troops on the ground in the airfield-defence role at Camp Bastion. The withdrawal took place during the closure of the base: some squadron members were transported by the final helicopter wave to leave the airfield, while the remainder returned to the United Kingdom in November 2014. In March 2020, the squadron was awarded the right to display an Afghanistan battle honour on its standard, recognising its service during the War in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. The squadron is headquartered at RAF Marham, having previously been based at RAF Honington. Across its history, its functions have moved between light anti-aircraft defence, armoured ground operations, Rapier air defence and field-squadron protection of air bases. Its enduring institutional purpose is to preserve the security and operational continuity of RAF air power.

• 2020

  Afghanistan battle honour

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron received the right to emblazon an Afghanistan battle honour on its standard for service from 2001 to 2014.

• 2014

  Final RAF Regiment airfield-defence deployment at Camp Bastion

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron provided the last RAF Regiment troops on the ground in the airfield-defence role at Camp Bastion before withdrawing in October and November.

• 2003

  Re-formation and Kuwait deployment

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was re-formed as a field squadron and deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in support of Operation TELIC.

• 1990

  Disbandment

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was disbanded in July 1990 while based at RAF Hullavington.

• 1982

  Conversion to a light-armour squadron

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron adopted a light-armour role and operated CVR(T) vehicles.

• 1964

  Deployment to RAF Seletar

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron began a period of service at RAF Seletar in Singapore that continued until 1969.

• 1962

  Service during the Brunei coup attempt

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron supported British security operations during the attempted coup in Brunei.

• 1957

  Security duties in Northern Ireland

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was called upon for security and defence duties at RAF Aldergrove and RAF Ballykelly.

• 1947

  Adoption of the No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment designation

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was renamed No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment in June 1947.

• 1946

  Formation as No. 15 Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron

  [1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  The unit was formed at RAF Nethertown in June 1946 from No. 2700 Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron.

A specialist Royal Air Force ground-defence formation focused on protecting air bases, personnel and aviation infrastructure in the United Kingdom and on overseas operations.

• Military capability

  Airfield ground defence

  The squadron's principal capability is the defence of RAF airfields and deployed air bases against ground attack. This includes protecting personnel, aircraft, access points and other critical infrastructure so that air operations can continue in contested or insecure environments.

• Air-defence capability · 1982

  Rapier ground-based air defence

  For part of its post-1982 history, No. 15 Squadron operated in a ground-based air-defence role using the Rapier surface-to-air missile system. This represented a shift from its earlier light-armour configuration and complemented its wider responsibility for protecting air installations.

• Armoured military capability · 1982

  Light-armour operations

  Between 1982 and 1990, the squadron operated as a light-armour formation equipped with Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) vehicles. The capability supported mobile security, reconnaissance and ground-defence tasks associated with RAF operations.

• 2014Camp Bastion airfield defence

  Afghanistan

  The squadron provided the final RAF Regiment troops serving on the ground in the airfield-defence role at Camp Bastion during the coalition withdrawal.

  Outcome. The squadron withdrew in October 2014, with the final personnel returning to the United Kingdom in November.

  Source
• 2006Afghanistan and Iraq ground-defence operations

  Afghanistan · Iraq

  From 2006, the squadron undertook ground-defence duties in Afghanistan and Iraq, protecting air bases and supporting deployed air operations.

  Outcome. Its service formed part of the operational record later recognised by the Afghanistan battle honour.

  Source
• 2004Falkland Islands deployment

  Falkland Islands

  The squadron deployed personnel to the Falkland Islands during 2004 and 2005 as part of its overseas defence commitments.

  Outcome. The deployment concluded after the squadron fulfilled its assigned security and defence duties.

  Source
• 2003Operation TELIC

  Kuwait · Iraq

  After being re-formed as a field squadron, No. 15 deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in support of the United Kingdom's Iraq-related military operations.

  Outcome. The squadron completed its deployment and returned to continue other air-defence and security commitments.

  Source
• 1962Brunei coup response

  Brunei

  The squadron helped British forces protect strategic sites and contain the attempted coup in Brunei.

  Outcome. The British-supported response helped suppress the revolt and maintain security around key facilities.

  Source
• 1957Northern Ireland security duties

  Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

  The squadron provided security and defence support at RAF Aldergrove and RAF Ballykelly.

  Outcome. The deployment extended the squadron's post-war base-protection role into internal security operations.

  Source

• 2020

  Recognition of Afghanistan serviceOther

  Background

  The squadron's operational service in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014 was formally recognised after the Camp Bastion deployment.

  Action taken

  It was granted the right to emblazon an Afghanistan battle honour on its squadron standard.

  Aftermath

  The honour became part of the squadron's formal institutional history and ceremonial identity.

  Source

• 2003

  Re-formation as a field squadronStrategy

  Background

  The squadron was re-established after its 1990 disbandment amid renewed requirements for deployed RAF ground defence.

  Action taken

  No. 15 Squadron was re-formed as a field squadron and deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation TELIC.

  Aftermath

  It continued with air-defence commitments and later undertook ground-defence deployments in the Falkland Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq.

  Source

• 1982

  Transition to light armour and later Rapier air defenceStrategy

  Background

  The squadron's operational role changed during the 1980s as RAF Regiment force structures and airfield-defence requirements evolved.

  Action taken

  It operated as a light-armour squadron with CVR(T) vehicles and later took on a Rapier missile air-defence role.

  Aftermath

  The change preceded the squadron's disbandment in 1990 and its later re-formation as a field squadron.

  Source

• 2020

  No. 15 Squadron receives Afghanistan battle honour[1]No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The squadron was granted the right to emblazon a battle honour on its standard in recognition of its role in the War in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014.

1. 1No. 15 Squadron RAF Regimenten.wikipedia.org
2. 2No. 15 Squadron RAF Regiment — Royal Air Forceraf.mod.uk