No. 6 Squadron RAF

No. 6 Squadron RAF
Squadron badge
Squadron badge
Active31 January 1914 (1914-01-31) – 1 April 1918 (RFC)
1 April 1918 – 31 May 2007 (RAF)
6 September 2010 – present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeFlying squadron
RoleMulti–role combat
Part ofNo. 1 Group (Air Combat)
Home stationRAF Lossiemouth
Nickname(s)'The Flying Tin Openers'[1]
Motto(s)Oculi Exercitus
(Latin for 'The eyes of the army')[2]
AircraftEurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
Battle honours * Honours marked with an asterisk may be emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Commanders
Current
commander		Wing Commander G Montgomery
Insignia
Squadron tail badge
Squadron badge heraldryAn eagle, wings elevated, preying on a serpent. The use of the Royal Regiment of Artillery's red lightning bolt on a light background, was adopted in recognition of the squadron's close cooperation with the Royal Artillery during the First World War.[3] The badge was approved by King George VI in January 1938.
Roundel
Aircraft codesEA–EZ (Present)

Number 6 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4 at RAF Lossiemouth.[4] It was previously equipped with the SEPECAT Jaguar GR.3 in the close air support and tactical reconnaissance roles, and was posted to RAF Coltishall, Norfolk until April 2006, moving to RAF Coningsby until disbanding for the first time in its history on 31 May 2007. The squadron officially reformed as a Typhoon squadron on 6 September 2010.[5] No. 6 Squadron is unique in having two Royal standards, having been awarded its second one by King Abdullah I of Jordan in October 1950 due to its long period of service in the Middle East.

  1. ^ "1939 – 1945". 6 Squadron RAF Association. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  2. ^ Pine, L.G. (1983). A dictionary of mottoes (1 ed.). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 160. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  3. ^ Smith, Peter C. (1974). Royal Air Force squadron badges (1 ed.). St. Ives [Cambs.]: Balfour Publications. p. 14. ISBN 0-85944-012-5.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Courier was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Dsouza, Cavin (5 October 2010). "Eurofighter Typhoon replaces Tornado F3 in No. 6 Squadron of the Royal Air Force". Defence Aviation. Retrieved 24 July 2015.