No. 22 Squadron RAF

No. 22 Squadron, also known as No. XXII Squadron, is an operational testing and evaluation squadron of the Royal Air Force. It operates all of Joint Aviation Command's helicopter types, including the Boeing Chinook, AgustaWestland Merlin HC4, Boeing AH-64E Apache and AgustaWestland Wildcat AH1. Formerly the Rotary Wing Operational Evaluation and Training Unit, the squadron ensures frontline crews have Qualified Warfare Instructors to support them on operations worldwide.

It was originally formed in 1915 as an aerial reconnaissance unit of the Royal Flying Corps serving on the Western Front during the First World War. Becoming part of the Royal Air Force on its formation in 1918, it was disbanded the following year as part of the post-First World War scaling back of the RAF. During the Second World War the squadron operated in the torpedo bomber role over the North Sea and then in the Mediterranean and the Far East. Between 1955 and 2015 the squadron was in the search and rescue role, operating the Westland Sea King HAR3 and HAR3A at three stations in the southern United Kingdom.