Talk:No. 20 Squadron RAF

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In the First World War 20 squadron was arguably the highest scoring and possibly most decorated 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.

The original contributer states "There was some rumour about the Squadron not being allowed back into the country due to it's history. It apparently left it's groundcrew to the mercy of the enemy when all the pilots flew away."

On 12th April 1918 the squadron had to abandon its airfield at St Marie Cappel in northern France in the face of enemy advances during the second phase of the German "spring offensive". The squadron was given orders to move (from Brigade HQ) at one hour's notice in the early evening, and given the short notice and the fact that their Bristol Fighters could only carry two men - the crew - they should not be accused of leaving the "groundcrew to the mercy of the enemy". There was no choice!

Is this the incident to which the original contributer refers? Or was there another incident later in the squadron's history? Perhaps the original contributer would like to clarify the date of the incident to which he/she refers.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._20_Squadron_RAF"

Squadron disbands in August 1947 and reforms in February same year? Need some clarification here. Are dates reversed? Or are one/both incorrect?

Georgejdorner (talk) 06:04, 10 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

20 squadron has always used an Argentina flag as a symbol ? (e.g. [1] ) or just after the 1982 war ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.16.223.235 (talk) 19:14, 18 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Good Afternoon,

My aim is to update and expand the 20 Sqn Wikipedia page.

PFB my proposal for a new section, The Cold War 1970-1992. Any comments are much appreciated before I add it to the main page.

20 Squadron reformed in Germany on 1 December 1970 as the second Harrier GR1 squadron based at RAF Wildenrath.^[1] It was declared to NATO in an offensive support role and re-equipped with the Harrier GR3 in 1975.^{[2] [3]} This update introduced laser ranging and target marking equipment in the nose of the aircraft and a Radar Warning Receiver. Two years later, the RAF decided to rationalise its Harrier squadrons in Germany by sharing all Harrier aircraft between 2, rather than 3, squadrons, and 20 Squadron was selected to hand over its Harriers to 4 Squadron at RAF Gütersloh at the end of February 1977. ^[4]

It reformed the following day at RAF Brüggen, equipped with the twelve Jaguar GR1, again providing offensive support to NATO forces in West Germany. ^[5] In addition to its conventional weapons, the Squadron had eight WE.177 tactical nuclear bombs for use if a future European conflict escalated to the use of nuclear weapons. The apparent mismatch between eight nuclear bombs and twelve aircraft was because RAF staff planners expected up to one third attrition in the initial conventional phase, with sufficient aircraft held back in reserve to deliver the full stock of nuclear weapons to targets beyond the forward edge of the battlefield, deep into the enemy's rear areas. The squadron was assigned to NATO for operational and targeting purposes, although political control over release of the British-owned WE.177 weapons was retained by the British government in London. ^{[6] [7]}

On 30 June 1984, 20 Squadron re-equipped with the Tornado GR1 at RAF Laarbruch, retaining its offensive support role and increasing its stock of WE.177 nuclear weapons to 18, due to the Tornado’s greater payload.^[8]

In November 1990, the Squadron deployed to RSAF Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, as part of the RAF’s contribution to Operation GRANBY, the British name for its part in the Gulf War of 1991. The Squadron was responsible for attacks on Iraqi airfields at low- and medium-levels, and also introduced the new ALARM anti-radiation missile into operational service. 20 Squadron returned to RAF Laarbruch in March 1991. ^[9]

As part of the British Government’s Options for Change Defence Review, the RAF reduced its number of bases in the Germany from four to two;^[10] part of this reduction involved the disbandment of 20 Squadron as a Tornado Squadron on 31 July 1992.^[11]

Please feel free to get in touch WRT any changes or comments.

Thanks

Flt Lt Spencer (talk) 15:43, 11 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I have tweaked two urls for you. Otherwise it looks good to me. Dormskirk (talk) 15:52, 11 August 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Dormskirk (talk) Thanks for your help! I have added it to the main page so if you could check the URLs that'd be great. I will be adding to the Harrier OCU section in the near future so will post here first for you all to check through.

Flt Lt Spencer (talk) 21:43, 14 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

It looks good to me. Best wishes. Dormskirk (talk) 22:02, 14 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

PFB my proposal to update the Harrier OCU section, again any changes or comments are welcome:

Harrier Operational Conversion Unit (1992-2010)

On 1 September 1992 the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit, No 233 OCU at RAF Wittering, was renumbered No 20 (Reserve) Squadron.^[1] The ‘Reserve’ title indicated that, although the Sqn was not a front-line unit, its staff, aircraft and equipment could be used for operations should the need arise.^[2] As the Operational Conversion Unit, the Squadron became responsible for the training of all ab-initio RAF Harrier pilots, refresher training for those returning to frontline flying from non-flying posts, and Courses to qualify RAF Harrier Qualified Flying Instructors, Qualified Weapons Instructors and Electronic Warfare Instructors. On 1 Apr 2000, 20 Squadron and the other Royal Air Force Harrier and Royal Navy Sea Harrier Squadrons were brought under the control of Joint Force Harrier.^[3] The Sqn remained at RAF Wittering for the next 10 years. In 2010, Joint Force Harrier was reduced by one Squadron. IV (AC) Squadron was disbanded as a frontline squadron but, as it had greater seniority, its number was assigned to the OCU as IV (Reserve) Squadron which led to 20 Squadron’s disbandment on 31 March 2010.^{[4] [5]} Joint Force Harrier’s disbandment unexpectedly followed as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review which was published on 19 October 2010. ^[6]

Flt Lt Spencer (talk) 12:06, 15 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Sqn should be squadron and months should be stated in full e.g. April not Apr etc. otherwise fine with me. Dormskirk (talk) 12:37, 15 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]