No. 84 Squadron RAF

No. 84 Squadron RAF
Squadron badge
Squadron badge
Active
  • 7 Jan 1917 – 30 January 1920
  • 13 Aug 1920 – 20 February 1953
  • 20 Feb 1953 – 31 October 1971
  • 17 Jan 1972 – present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeFlying squadron
RoleMulti-role helicopter support
Part ofBritish Forces Cyprus
Home stationRAF Akrotiri, Cyprus
Motto(s)Scorpiones pungunt
(Latin for 'Scorpions sting')
Battle honours * Honours marked with an asterisk are those emblazoned on the Squadron Standard
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Insignia
Squadron badge heraldryA scorpion, reflecting the squadron's long association with the Middle East. Approved by King George VI in December 1936.
Squadron codesUR (Apr 1939 – Sep 1939)
VA (Sep 1939 – Mar 1941)
PY (Jan 1945 – Dec 1946)
♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ (Wessex and Griffin)
Aircraft flown
Multirole helicopterWestland/Airbus Helicopters Puma HC.2[1]

No. 84 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is at present a Search and Rescue Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri, using the Westland/Airbus Helicopters Puma HC Mk.2 helicopter. The squadron transitioned from the previously operated Bell Griffin HAR.2 to the Puma HC.2 in 2023.[1]

As of 2016, 84 Squadron is the only serving RAF squadron never to have been based in the United Kingdom.[2] It is currently one of the two operational parts of the RAF Search and Rescue Force left in service (the other being the RAF Mountain Rescue Service) after the stand-down of the UK effort on 5 October 2015.[3]

  1. ^ a b "RAF Akrotiri Helicopter Capability Transfers From Griffin To Puma". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  2. ^ "84 Squadron". Royal Air Force. Archived from the original on 1 September 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Sea King completes final RAF UK operational sortie". 5 October 2015. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.