RAF Chinook Display Team

The Chinook HC2 solo display is provided by No.18 Sqadron based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire. No. 18 Squadron formed initially as a training unit at Northolt on 11 May 1915. During the Great War, it concentrated on bombing, and after the Armistice moved to Germany as part of the Army of Occupation before returning the UK in September 1919 and disbanding. The Squadron remained dormant until reformed in October 1931at Upper Heyford with Harts and then Hinds. As part of the Air Component of the BEF and equipped with Blenheims, No. 18 Squadron suffered heavy losses in their attempts to stem the German advance the Europe before being withdrawn to the UK in May 1940. Throughout the war No. 18 continued as a bomber squadron serving in a number of theatres.

No. 18 reformed in December 1947 flying Dakotas in the transport role, using these in the Berlin Airlift and disbanding shortly after. Reformed in August 1953 with Canberras, the Squadron took part in operations during the Suez crisis of 1955 before temporarily disbanding prior to becoming a Valiant Squadron in 1957. In 1965, the Squadron moved to Germany with Wessex helicopters, having received the type a year before. It remained there until disbanded in 1980, but reformed as the first RAF Chinook squadron in August 1981. During the Falklands War in 1982, four Chinooks were dispatched on the cargo ship Atlantic Conveyor, but three were lost when the vessel was sunk. The sole surviving aircraft gave sterling service on the islands in the months that followed. After the conflict, the Squadron returned to Germany, taking a small number of Pumas on strength before moving to Odiham in 1997.

The 2010 display crew has yet to be announced.

Official Website: http://www.chinookdisplayteam.co.uk/

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