No. 1310 Flight RAF
Encyclopedia
No. 1310 Flight was first formed at RAF Llandow on 10 April 1944, equipped with Avro Anson
I transport aircraft. The flight was disbanded on 21 July 1944 at RAF Bognor, absorbed by 83 Group Support Wing.
1310 Flight was re-formed at RAF Lyneham with Avro York
transport aircraft to provide transport services for the early nuclear weapon tests in Western Australia, disbanding at Mellala on 7 December 1953.
The next incarnation of 1310 Flight was at RAF Odiham, where the Flight prepared to transfer to British Guiana
, in South America, to assist the nascent government of the newly independent state. Its first role with helicopters flying Westland Whirlwind
HAR 10's, with three helicopters, three (possibly four?) pilots and approximately thirty ground crew, then deployed to Atkinson Field
. This mission was carried out alongside five Alouette II helicopters of 24 Flt. Army Air Corps, in joint support of the British Army
for two years before its helicopters were flown back to RAF Fairford
with the Flight disbanding on 14 October 1966.
Following the Falklands War
, the Flight was reformed at Kelly's Garden near to Port San Carlos
, as 'ChinDet Falkland Islands', flying Chinook
helicopters from Nos. 7
and 18
Squadrons, as No. 1310 (Tactical Support) Flight RAF. Later 1310 Flight was amalgamated with No. 1564 Flight
to form No. 78 Squadron
at RAF mount Pleasant.
1310 flight was re-formed again at Split in Croatia in December 1995 for saw service in Bosnia
, flying support for British units in the Implementation Force
(IFOR) and Stabilisation Force
(SFOR).
Most recently it was based at Basra
in southern Iraq
. It commanded the Chinooks assigned to the British-commanded division based in the area. It was stood down in April 2005 and replaced by No. 1419 Flight
.
, 1310 Flight operates Chinook aircraft in Helmand Province
, Afghanistan
, supporting the International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF). The Chinook's role in Afghanistan includes air assault
, forward operating base
resupply, and casualty evacuation.
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
I transport aircraft. The flight was disbanded on 21 July 1944 at RAF Bognor, absorbed by 83 Group Support Wing.
1310 Flight was re-formed at RAF Lyneham with Avro York
Avro York
The Avro York was a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and used in both military and airliner roles between 1943 and 1964.-Design and development:...
transport aircraft to provide transport services for the early nuclear weapon tests in Western Australia, disbanding at Mellala on 7 December 1953.
The next incarnation of 1310 Flight was at RAF Odiham, where the Flight prepared to transfer to British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
, in South America, to assist the nascent government of the newly independent state. Its first role with helicopters flying Westland Whirlwind
Westland Whirlwind
Westland Whirlwind may mean:* Westland Whirlwind , a fixed wing Second World War fighter aircraft* Westland Whirlwind , a post-war helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-55...
HAR 10's, with three helicopters, three (possibly four?) pilots and approximately thirty ground crew, then deployed to Atkinson Field
Cheddi Jagan International Airport
Cheddi Jagan International Airport , formerly Timehri International Airport, is the national airport of Guyana. The airport is located on the right bank of the Demerara River in the city of Timehri, south of Guyana's capital, Georgetown.-History:...
. This mission was carried out alongside five Alouette II helicopters of 24 Flt. Army Air Corps, in joint support of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
for two years before its helicopters were flown back to RAF Fairford
RAF Fairford
RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force station in Gloucestershire, England. It is a standby airfield, not in everyday use. Its most prominent use in recent years has been as an airfield for United States Air Force B-52s during the 2003 Iraq War, Operation Allied Force in 1999, and the first Gulf War in...
with the Flight disbanding on 14 October 1966.
Following the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, the Flight was reformed at Kelly's Garden near to Port San Carlos
Port San Carlos
Port San Carlos is located on the northern bank of the inlet known as Port San Carlos, off San Carlos Water on the Western coast of East Falkland, in the Falkland Islands...
, as 'ChinDet Falkland Islands', flying Chinook
CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots is faster than contemporary utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s...
helicopters from Nos. 7
No. 7 Squadron RAF
No. 7 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Boeing Chinook HC.2 from RAF Odiham, Hampshire.-Formation and early years:No. 7 Squadron was formed at Farnborough Airfield on 1 May 1914 as the last squadron of the RFC to be formed before the First World War, but has been disbanded and reformed...
and 18
No. 18 Squadron RAF
No. 18 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the CH-47 Chinook HC.2 from RAF Odiham. No. 18 Squadron was the first and is currently the largest RAF operator of the Chinook.-First World War:...
Squadrons, as No. 1310 (Tactical Support) Flight RAF. Later 1310 Flight was amalgamated with No. 1564 Flight
No. 1564 Flight RAF
-1564 Flight in World War II:No. 1564 Flight was first formed at RAF Mellaha, near Tripoli, Libya, on 1 February 1943, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, and was disbanded at Istres, France on 15 June 1946....
to form No. 78 Squadron
No. 78 Squadron RAF
No. 78 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Merlin HC3/3A transport helicopter from RAF Benson.Until December 2007 it was the operator of two Westland Sea King HAR3s from RAF Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands.-History:No...
at RAF mount Pleasant.
1310 flight was re-formed again at Split in Croatia in December 1995 for saw service in Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, flying support for British units in the Implementation Force
IFOR
The Implementation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina under a one-year mandate from 20 December 1995 to 20 December 1996 under the codename Operation Joint Endeavour. Its task was to implement the military Annexes of The General Framework Agreement for...
(IFOR) and Stabilisation Force
SFOR
The Stabilisation Force was a NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. It replaced the previous force IFOR...
(SFOR).
Most recently it was based at Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
in southern Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. It commanded the Chinooks assigned to the British-commanded division based in the area. It was stood down in April 2005 and replaced by No. 1419 Flight
No. 1419 Flight RAF
No. 1419 Flight a deployed element of No. 28 Squadron RAF and 78 Squadron RAFRoyal Air Force Benson is a unit stationed at Basra in southern Iraq. It was first formed in World War II and is currently in command of the Merlin MK3 helicopters based at Basra. It was reformed on 5 March 2005,...
.
, 1310 Flight operates Chinook aircraft in Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, supporting the International Security Assistance Force
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
(ISAF). The Chinook's role in Afghanistan includes air assault
Air assault
Air assault is the movement of ground-based military forces by vertical take-off and landing aircraft—such as the helicopter—to seize and hold key terrain which has not been fully secured, and to directly engage enemy forces...
, forward operating base
Forward Operating Base
A forward operating base is any secured forward military position, commonly a military base, that is used to support tactical operations. A FOB may or may not contain an airfield, hospital, or other facilities. The base may be used for an extended period of time. FOBs are traditionally supported...
resupply, and casualty evacuation.