655 Squadron (V) The Scottish Horse
Encyclopedia
No. 655 Squadron AAC is a Helicopter
Support squadron made up of the Volunteer Groundcrew
of the Army Air Corps.
Air Observation Post
unit on the 30 November 1942 at Old Sarum Airfield
, Wiltshire
. The Squadron immediately deployed in support of the 8th Army
to North Africa and subsequently moved to Italy
, where they remained supporting various formations until their disbandment on the 31 August 1945.
655 Sqn AAC reformed as an Army Air Corps Light Aircraft Squadron in Germany
in April 1962 and were employed by 4 Division Aviation Headquarters from 1964 -1969. The Squadron then relocated to Topcliffe
, Yorkshire
in 1978. In 1979 the Squadron moved to Omagh
in Northern Ireland
where they carried out anti-terrorist duties in support of 3 Brigade.
In the summer of 1982 the Squadron moved to Shackleton Barracks at Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry. The well-loved Scout
aircraft were replaced by Lynx AH
. The Scout was robust, however the Lynx was modern, faster and with greater endurance.
The Squadron then moved to Aldergrove
in the summer of 1991, where they became part of 5 Regiment Army Air Corps, co-located with the rest of the Northern Ireland Regiment AAC. The Squadron standardised on the newly introduced Lynx
, with the advantages over the AH being improved avionics, reduced noise, better hover capability and more advanced composite rotor blades.
On 2 July 2006, 6 Regiment Army Air Corps (Volunteers) was formed at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
. The Regiment's role is to provide groundcrew
individual reinforcements to army aviation units for exercises and operational deployment.
In 2009 655 Sqn AAC joined 6 Regt AAC (V) and became 655 Sqn AAC (V). The Squadron is based at the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop
.
, Hampshire
. The role of 655 Sqn AAC (V)is to deliver Attack Helicopter
(Apache) and Light Utility Helicopter (Lynx
) trained groundcrew for individual reinforcements who are able to deploy on operations and in support of exercises in order to meet designated military tasks. These are trained in the loading of missiles, rockets and the refuelling of the aircraft in various locations around the world as part of the Forward Arming and Refuelling Point. The Territorial Army only recruits groundcrew and support elements.
of the Scottish Horse
, which are now laid up in Dunkeld Cathedral
.
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
Support squadron made up of the Volunteer Groundcrew
Groundcrew
In aviation, the groundcrew is the support crew supplying the aircraft with fuel and maintenance, as opposed to the aircrew.In airlines, ground crew members include:*Airframe and powerplant technicians*Avionics technicians*Baggage handlers*Rampers...
of the Army Air Corps.
History
655 Squadron Army Air Corps (655 Sqn AAC) was formed as a Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Air Observation Post
Air Observation Post
An Air Observation Post is a British military aircraft used for active or passive observation of artillery actions.-History:Air Observation Post is the term used by the Royal Air Force and other services of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth air forces for an aeroplane or helicopter used in the...
unit on the 30 November 1942 at Old Sarum Airfield
Old Sarum Airfield
Old Sarum Airfield is located north northeast of Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.The aerodrome has a CAA Ordinary Licence that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction as authorised by the licensee . The aerodrome is not licensed for night use.The site is a...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
. The Squadron immediately deployed in support of the 8th Army
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
to North Africa and subsequently moved to Italy
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
, where they remained supporting various formations until their disbandment on the 31 August 1945.
655 Sqn AAC reformed as an Army Air Corps Light Aircraft Squadron in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in April 1962 and were employed by 4 Division Aviation Headquarters from 1964 -1969. The Squadron then relocated to Topcliffe
RAF Topcliffe
RAF Topcliffe is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire. It is a satellite station of RAF Linton-on-Ouse.Topcliffe opened in September 1940 as a bomber station in RAF Bomber Command and was home to 77 and 102 Squadrons flying the Whitley heavy bomber. There was a decoy site at Raskelf...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
in 1978. In 1979 the Squadron moved to Omagh
Omagh
Omagh is the county town of County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is situated where the rivers Drumragh and Camowen meet to form the Strule. The town, which is the largest in the county, had a population of 19,910 at the 2001 Census. Omagh also contains the headquarters of Omagh District Council and...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
where they carried out anti-terrorist duties in support of 3 Brigade.
In the summer of 1982 the Squadron moved to Shackleton Barracks at Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry. The well-loved Scout
Westland Scout
The Westland Scout was a general purpose military light helicopter developed by Westland Helicopters. It was closely related to the Westland Wasp naval helicopter.-Design and development:...
aircraft were replaced by Lynx AH
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
. The Scout was robust, however the Lynx was modern, faster and with greater endurance.
The Squadron then moved to Aldergrove
Aldergrove, Northern Ireland
Aldergrove is a small village in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is within the townland of Seacash and parish of Killead – 6 miles south of Antrim and 18 miles west of Belfast. It is part of the Borough of Antrim....
in the summer of 1991, where they became part of 5 Regiment Army Air Corps, co-located with the rest of the Northern Ireland Regiment AAC. The Squadron standardised on the newly introduced Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
, with the advantages over the AH being improved avionics, reduced noise, better hover capability and more advanced composite rotor blades.
On 2 July 2006, 6 Regiment Army Air Corps (Volunteers) was formed at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
. The Regiment's role is to provide groundcrew
Groundcrew
In aviation, the groundcrew is the support crew supplying the aircraft with fuel and maintenance, as opposed to the aircrew.In airlines, ground crew members include:*Airframe and powerplant technicians*Avionics technicians*Baggage handlers*Rampers...
individual reinforcements to army aviation units for exercises and operational deployment.
In 2009 655 Sqn AAC joined 6 Regt AAC (V) and became 655 Sqn AAC (V). The Squadron is based at the Army Aviation Centre, Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop
Middle Wallop is the local name given to an area between the two Parishes of Over Wallop and Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England. As it does not have its own parish technically it does not exist, however road signs and maps make reference to the location and have done so since the 18th century,...
.
Role
655 (Scottish Horse) Squadron Army Air Corps (Volunteers) is a sub unit of 6 Regiment Army Air Corps covering the south and south west area, located at Middle WallopMiddle Wallop
Middle Wallop is the local name given to an area between the two Parishes of Over Wallop and Nether Wallop in Hampshire, England. As it does not have its own parish technically it does not exist, however road signs and maps make reference to the location and have done so since the 18th century,...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
. The role of 655 Sqn AAC (V)is to deliver Attack Helicopter
Attack helicopter
An attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
(Apache) and Light Utility Helicopter (Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
) trained groundcrew for individual reinforcements who are able to deploy on operations and in support of exercises in order to meet designated military tasks. These are trained in the loading of missiles, rockets and the refuelling of the aircraft in various locations around the world as part of the Forward Arming and Refuelling Point. The Territorial Army only recruits groundcrew and support elements.
Battle honours
The battle honours were displayed on the guidonsHeraldic flag
In heraldry and vexillology, an heraldic flag is any of several types of flags, containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices, used for personal identification....
of the Scottish Horse
Scottish Horse
The Scottish Horse was a Yeomanry Regiment of the British Territorial Army from 1900 to 1956 when it was amalgamated with The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry....
, which are now laid up in Dunkeld Cathedral
Dunkeld Cathedral
Dunkeld Cathedral stands on the north bank of the River Tay in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Built in square-stone style of predominantly grey sandstone, the cathedral proper was begun in 1260 and completed in 1501...
.
The Great War
- Beaurevoir
- Selle
- Sambre
- France and Flanders 1918
- Macedonia 1916-18
- Gallipoli 1915
- Rumani
- Egypt 1915-16
The Second World War
- Badge of the Royal Regiment of Artillery badge with year-dates "1943-45"
- North-West Europe
- Sicily
- Italy
See also
- The Scottish Horse
- Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish HorseFife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish HorseThe Fife & Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse is a Yeomanry Squadron of the Queen's Own Yeomanry part of the British Territorial Army. It was formed following the amalgamation of the The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and The Scottish Horse regiments....
- List of Army Air Corps aircraft squadrons
External links
- http://www.army.mod.uk/aviation/22432.aspx
- http://www.army.mod.uk/aviation/326.aspx