No. 20 Squadron RAF
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| No.20 (R) Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1915 |
| Role | Operational Conversion Unit |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Wittering |
| Motto | "Verba non Facta" (Deeds not Words) |
| Equipment | Harrier GR7 |
| Battle honours | Western Front 1916-1918, Somme 1916, Arras, Ypres 1917, Somme 1918, Lys, Hindenburg Line, Mahsud 1919-1920, Waziristan 1919-1925, Mohmand 1927, North West Frontier 1930-1931, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935-1939, North Burma 1943-1944, Arakan 1943-1944, Manipur 1944, Burma 1944-1945, Gulf 1991. |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |
An eagle on a sword, in front of the rising sun |
No.20 (R) Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the current OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) for the BAE Harrier GR7, GR7A and GR9 operating from RAF Wittering. A reserve squadron, it can be called upon for combat duties if necessary.
[edit] History
Formed in 1915, the squadron has flown many types - FE2Bs, Bristol Fighters, Wapitis, Audaxes, Lysanders, Hurricanes, Vampires, Sabres, Hunters (Singapore), Tornado GR1s (Germany) and Jaguars. In 1992, No. 233 Harrier OCU at RAF Wittering adopted the squadron crest and became 20(R) Squadron.
In the First World War 20 Squadron RFC & RAF was arguably the highest scoring and possibly most decorated British fighter squadron on the Western Front with over 600 combat victories, a posthumous Victoria Cross, five Distinguished Conduct Medals, and over forty Military Crosses and Military Medals awarded to its members.
During the Second World War the squadron's Hawker Hurricane IIC's saw action against the Japanese. The squadron was disbanded in 1947 while stationed in India. In 1952 the squadron reformed at Jever, Germany operating the de Havilland Vampire. These were replaced in 1953 by Sabres which were themselves replaced with Hawker Hunters. The squadron was disbanded in 1960, only to be reformed again at RAF Tengah, Singapore, again operating Hunters. Following the withdrawal of the RAF from the Far East the squadron disbanded in 1970.
20 Squadron reformed again in late 1970 at Wildenrath, Germany, operating the Harrier. In 1977 the squadron re-equipped with SEPECAT Jaguars. In 1984 the squadron's Jaguars were replaced by the RAF Tornado GR1. In May 1992 the Options for Change defence review called for the disbanding of 20 Squadron as a front line unit. In late 1992 the squadron numberplate was assigned to the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit.
