349th Squadron (Belgium)

No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron RAF
349th Squadron
Spitfire Mark IXCs of No. 349 (Belgian) Squadron, 1943-4.
Active10 November 1942 - May 1943
5 June 1943 - 24 October 1946
1946 – present
Country Belgium
Branch Belgian Air Component
 Royal Air Force (1941–1946)
Part of10th Tactical Wing
Motto(s)Strike Hard, Strike Home
FighterF-16 Fighting Falcon
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Raymond Lallemant
Frank De Winne
Insignia
Squadron BadgeTwo morning stars in saltire[1]
Squadron CodesGE (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.

  1. ^ Halley 1988, p. 381.