No. 18 Squadron RAF
| No. 18 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
| Active |
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Type | Flying squadron |
| Role | Helicopter heavy-lift support |
| Part of | Joint Aviation Command |
| Station | RAF Odiham |
| Mottos | Animo et fide (Latin for 'With courage and faith') |
| Aircraft | Boeing Chinook HC5, HC6 and HC6A |
Number 18 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (also known as No. 18 'Burma' Squadron) operates the Boeing Chinook from RAF Odiham. Owing to its heritage as a bomber squadron, it is also known as No. 18 (B) Squadron.
Formed in 1915 as a fighter squadron, it also operated early bomber types. After reforming in 1931 it again operated a variety of biplane bombers before seeing action during the Second World War on a number of fronts with the Bristol Blenheim. Reformed again in 1953, it went on to operate jet bombers such as the English Electric Canberra and Vickers Valiant. In 1964, it started flying helicopters, firstly the Westland Wessex and from 1981 the Boeing Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.