No. 2625 Squadron RAF Regiment
Encyclopedia
No.2625 Squadron
was formed at RAF St Mawgan on the 1 November 1982 to provide ground defence for its home station.
The Squadron remained at St Mawgan
when in 1990 its role was changed to provide augmentation and sustainment to the regular RAF Regiment
Very High Readiness Squadrons. In this role the Unit was established for 130 personnel the vast majority of which were Auxiliaries
recruited from all of Cornwall
and parts of Devon
. An enthusiastic permanent staff of Regulars
and Full Time Reservist
s supported these Auxiliaries.
The Squadron personnel were trained in standard infantry
techniques, which were adapted to meet the particular requirements of airfield defence. The training encompassed a broad spectrum of military
skills, which included personal and
specialist weapons
and
pyrotechnics, minor tactic
s, fieldcraft
, nuclear, biological and chemical
defence and combat first aid
techniques. All members of the unit were also trained in the use of signals equipment
and surveillance devices.
In 1988 the Squadron was accorded the rare privilege of the Freedom of Newquay, and on several occasions exercised the right to Parade through the Town with bayonets
fixed, the last time on 4 October 2006. The Badge
of 2625 Squadron that received Royal Approval in 1989 shows a bayonet superimposed on the cross of St Piran, the patron saint
of Cornwall. The Squadron motto
was Onen Hag Ol (One and All).
From 1996 many Squadron members volunteered for operational deployments with Regular Units and served in Bosnia, Cyprus
, Kuwait
, Macedonia
, Sierra Leone
and also in the UK with RAF Mountain Rescue Service. During 1999, the Squadron deployed 14 personnel (over 10% of its established strength) on operational sustainment duties and has provided half of the RAF Regiment's requirement for a hunter guard force to support aircrew combat survival training.
In 2003 the whole Squadron was mobilised as part of OP TELIC to fulfil their commitment to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
. Their primary role as augmentees for the RAF Regiment Squadrons was fulfilled with Gunners joining both No.1
and No.34
Squadrons in theatre after a 10 day work up training package. A small number of Squadron members remained in the UK attending further training and were then deployed to other units at numerous locations in the Middle East
. During OP TELIC, 22 members of 2625 Squadron were attached to No.1 Sqn RAF Regiment, which defended RAF Ali Al Salem in Kuwait during the opening stages of the Iraq War. The airbase suffered numerous missile
attacks during this period. No.1 Sqn then moved into Iraq
where the unit protected vital oil
installations. All deployed personal received outstanding reports from the Regular units they served with and all Squadron members returned safe and well. Between June 2005 and November 2006 a further 15 Squadron members volunteered to, and served in Iraq.
The Squadron regularly entered teams in Military Skills Competitions and were winners of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Strickland Trophy at STANTA 4 times. The Squadrons Skills team also won the UK Reserve Forces Association International Military Skills Competition at Altcar on 6 occasions.
On 7 July 2005 the then Defence Secretary, Dr. John Reid
, announced in parliament that 2625 Squadron was to be disbanded on 1 November 2006. The Squadron stopped recruiting but continued to train and send volunteers on operations.
To mark the demise of the Squadron after 24 years of service the following events took place.
The Squadron held a Freedom of Newquay Parade followed later by a Civic Reception in the Officers Mess
at St. Mawgan for Squadron members, ex-members, families and invited Dignitaries on 8 October. To end the day a Sunset Ceremony was carried out, fittingly in drizzle and failing light when the 2625 Sqn Flag was lowered for the last time.
On 27 October a formal Dining Out Night took place in the Officers Mess St Mawgan attended by serving and past Officers and SNCO's. A Party for all serving and ex members was held in the Atlantic Club St Mawgan on 28 October when 200 plus attended. The day after a remembrance service was held in London
, as recorded in The Times
.
In Truro Cathedral
on 4 March 2007 a wooden carved Boss
, depicting the Squadron Badge was dedicated and set in the fabric of the Cathedral as a permanent record of the Unit's achievements.
During the disbandment process the Squadron continued to send personnel on Operations and on 2 November 2006 the day after disbandment, 8 members were still training for, or deployed with regular units in Iraq.
After disbandment, a number of personnel chose to re-enlist to serve with other units such as 501 Sqn RAF Regiment
, 232 Tpt Sqn- 155 (Wessex) Transport Regiment (Volunteers), HMS Vivid (Plymouth) Royal Naval Reserve and as instructors with units of the ACF
and ATC
.
Onen Hag Ol
Squadron (aviation)
A squadron in air force, army aviation or naval aviation is mainly a unit comprising a number of military aircraft, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force...
was formed at RAF St Mawgan on the 1 November 1982 to provide ground defence for its home station.
The Squadron remained at St Mawgan
St Mawgan
St Mawgan in Pydar is a civil parish in Cornwall, United Kingdom. The village of St Mawgan is situated four miles northeast of Newquay....
when in 1990 its role was changed to provide augmentation and sustainment to the regular RAF Regiment
RAF Regiment
The Royal Air Force Regiment is a specialist airfield defence corps founded by Royal Warrant in 1942. After a 32 week trainee gunner course, its members are trained and equipped to prevent a successful enemy attack in the first instance; minimise the damage caused by a successful attack; and...
Very High Readiness Squadrons. In this role the Unit was established for 130 personnel the vast majority of which were Auxiliaries
Auxiliaries
An auxiliary force is a group affiliated with, but not part of, a military or police organization. In some cases, auxiliaries are armed forces operating in the same manner as regular soldiers...
recruited from all of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
and parts of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
. An enthusiastic permanent staff of Regulars
Regular army
A regular army consists of the permanent force of a country's army that is maintained under arms during peacetime.Countries that use the term include:*Australian Army*British Army*Canadian Forces, specifically "Regular Force"*Egyptian army*Indian Army...
and Full Time Reservist
Reservist
A reservist is a person who is a member of a military reserve force. They are otherwise civilians, and in peacetime have careers outside the military. Reservists usually go for training on an annual basis to refresh their skills. This person is usually a former active-duty member of the armed...
s supported these Auxiliaries.
The Squadron personnel were trained in standard infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
techniques, which were adapted to meet the particular requirements of airfield defence. The training encompassed a broad spectrum of military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
skills, which included personal and
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
specialist weapons
L9A1 51 mm Light Mortar
The L9A1 51 mm Light Mortar is a man-portable mortar system used by the British Army. Smoke, illuminating and high explosive bombs are available. A short range insert device allows the weapon to be used in a direct fire mode...
and
M72 LAW
The M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
pyrotechnics, minor tactic
Tactic
Tactic may refer to:*Military tactics*Chess tactic*Tactic , a municipality in the Guatemalan department of Alta Verapaz*Tactics , an Australian band*Tactics , a Japanese visual novel studio*TACTIC , a U.S...
s, fieldcraft
Fieldcraft
Fieldcraft is a term used especially in American, Canadian and British military circles to describe the basic military skills required to operate stealthily and the methods used to do so, which can differ during day or night and due to weather or terrain...
, nuclear, biological and chemical
CBRN
CBRN is an initialism for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear. It is used to refer to situations in which any of these four hazards have presented themselves. The term CBRN is a replacement for the cold war term NBC , which had replaced the term ABC that was used in the fifties...
defence and combat first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
techniques. All members of the unit were also trained in the use of signals equipment
Clansman
Clansman is the name of a combat net radio system used by the British Army from 1976 to 2010.Clansman was developed by the Signals Research and Development Establishment in the 1960s, to satisfy a General Staff Requirement laid down in 1965...
and surveillance devices.
In 1988 the Squadron was accorded the rare privilege of the Freedom of Newquay, and on several occasions exercised the right to Parade through the Town with bayonets
Bayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
fixed, the last time on 4 October 2006. The Badge
Badge
A badge is a device or fashion accessory, often containing the insignia of an organization, which is presented or displayed to indicate some feat of service, a special accomplishment, a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath , a sign of legitimate employment or student status, or as a simple...
of 2625 Squadron that received Royal Approval in 1989 shows a bayonet superimposed on the cross of St Piran, the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of Cornwall. The Squadron motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
was Onen Hag Ol (One and All).
From 1996 many Squadron members volunteered for operational deployments with Regular Units and served in Bosnia, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and also in the UK with RAF Mountain Rescue Service. During 1999, the Squadron deployed 14 personnel (over 10% of its established strength) on operational sustainment duties and has provided half of the RAF Regiment's requirement for a hunter guard force to support aircrew combat survival training.
In 2003 the whole Squadron was mobilised as part of OP TELIC to fulfil their commitment to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
. Their primary role as augmentees for the RAF Regiment Squadrons was fulfilled with Gunners joining both No.1
No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment
No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment is a field squadron of the RAF Regiment in the Royal Air Force. Its mission is protection of RAF bases from ground attack. It is currently based at RAF Honington.- History :...
and No.34
No. 34 Squadron RAF Regiment
No. 34 Squadron RAF Regiment is a field squadron of the RAF Regiment in the Royal Air Force. Its mission is protection of RAF bases from ground attack.The squadron's current HQ is at RAF Leeming.It had previously been at RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus...
Squadrons in theatre after a 10 day work up training package. A small number of Squadron members remained in the UK attending further training and were then deployed to other units at numerous locations in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. During OP TELIC, 22 members of 2625 Squadron were attached to No.1 Sqn RAF Regiment, which defended RAF Ali Al Salem in Kuwait during the opening stages of the Iraq War. The airbase suffered numerous missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
attacks during this period. No.1 Sqn then moved into 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....
where the unit protected vital oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
installations. All deployed personal received outstanding reports from the Regular units they served with and all Squadron members returned safe and well. Between June 2005 and November 2006 a further 15 Squadron members volunteered to, and served in Iraq.
The Squadron regularly entered teams in Military Skills Competitions and were winners of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Strickland Trophy at STANTA 4 times. The Squadrons Skills team also won the UK Reserve Forces Association International Military Skills Competition at Altcar on 6 occasions.
On 7 July 2005 the then Defence Secretary, Dr. John Reid
John Reid (politician)
John Reid, Baron Reid of Cardowan, PC is a British politician, who served as a Labour Party Member of Parliament and cabinet minister under Tony Blair, most notably as Defence Secretary and then Home Secretary...
, announced in parliament that 2625 Squadron was to be disbanded on 1 November 2006. The Squadron stopped recruiting but continued to train and send volunteers on operations.
To mark the demise of the Squadron after 24 years of service the following events took place.
The Squadron held a Freedom of Newquay Parade followed later by a Civic Reception in the Officers Mess
Mess
A mess is the place where military personnel socialise, eat, and live. In some societies this military usage has extended to other disciplined services eateries such as civilian fire fighting and police forces. The root of mess is the Old French mes, "portion of food" A mess (also called a...
at St. Mawgan for Squadron members, ex-members, families and invited Dignitaries on 8 October. To end the day a Sunset Ceremony was carried out, fittingly in drizzle and failing light when the 2625 Sqn Flag was lowered for the last time.
On 27 October a formal Dining Out Night took place in the Officers Mess St Mawgan attended by serving and past Officers and SNCO's. A Party for all serving and ex members was held in the Atlantic Club St Mawgan on 28 October when 200 plus attended. The day after a remembrance service was held in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, as recorded in The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
.
In Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro is an Anglican cathedral located in the city of Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. It was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style fashionable during much of the nineteenth century, and is one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom...
on 4 March 2007 a wooden carved Boss
Boss (architecture)
In architecture, a boss is a knob or protrusion of stone or wood.Bosses can often be found in the ceilings of buildings, particularly at the intersection of a vault. In Gothic architecture, such roof bosses are often intricately carved with foliage, heraldic devices or other decorations...
, depicting the Squadron Badge was dedicated and set in the fabric of the Cathedral as a permanent record of the Unit's achievements.
During the disbandment process the Squadron continued to send personnel on Operations and on 2 November 2006 the day after disbandment, 8 members were still training for, or deployed with regular units in Iraq.
After disbandment, a number of personnel chose to re-enlist to serve with other units such as 501 Sqn RAF Regiment
No. 501 Squadron RAF
No 501 Squadron was the fourteenth of the twenty-one flying units in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, the volunteer reserve part of the British Royal Air Force. The squadron won seven battle honours, flying Hurricane, Spitfire and Tempest fighter aircraft during World War II, and was one of the most...
, 232 Tpt Sqn- 155 (Wessex) Transport Regiment (Volunteers), HMS Vivid (Plymouth) Royal Naval Reserve and as instructors with units of the ACF
Army Cadet Force
The Army Cadet Force is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 and 9...
and ATC
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
.
Onen Hag Ol