No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron RAF 349th Squadron | |
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Active | 10 November 1942 - May 1943 5 June 1943 - 24 October 1946 1946 – present |
Country | Belgium |
Branch | Belgian Air Component Royal Air Force (1941–1946) |
Part of | 10th Tactical Wing |
Motto(s) | Strike Hard, Strike Home |
Fighter | F-16 Fighting Falcon |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Raymond Lallemant Frank De Winne |
Insignia | |
Squadron Badge | Two morning stars in saltire[1] |
Squadron Codes | GE (Jan 1943 - Oct 1946) |
349th Squadron (French: 349e escadrille, Dutch: 349ste Smaldeel) is a fighter squadron in the Air Component of the Belgian Armed Forces. The squadron traces its origins to No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, founded in 1942 as part of the Free Belgian forces during World War II. It was transferred to the re-established Belgian Air Force in 1946, together with 350th Squadron. Considered an "honorary" squadron, it retained its original name and numbering and has been flying under the Belgian flag ever since. Today it is part of the 10th Tactical Wing, operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon from Kleine Brogel airbase.