RAF Patch j 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Op Telic 2003 Merlin

RAF Patch 51 Squadron Royal Air Force Merlin Nimrod R1 Electronic Warfare EW Op Telic Invasion of Iraq 2003 Deployed Prince Sultan AB Saudi Arabia Local made Fully embroidered 130mm by 82mm five and one eighth inches by three and one half inches.

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Squadron History

Following its wartime service participating in the strategic bombing offensive against Germany under Bomber Command 51 Squadron re-equipped with Stirlings and later Yorks assigned to Transport Command transporting men and material to and from India and the Far East. The Squadron took part in the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and disbanded in 1950.

51 Squadron was reactivated on 21 August 1958 at RAF Watton with Comets and Canberras in the Special Duties role on the renumbering of 192 Squadron carrying on its secret signals intelligence task encompassing both Electronic Intelligence Elint and Communications Intelligence Comint. The Squadron relocated to RAF Wyton in April 1963 and replaced its Comets with specially modified Nimrod R1s in 1974. At the same time three of the Squadrons Canberras were retired from service with the final Canberra leaving in 1976.

The Squadron has been deployed on most of the operations carried out by the British armed forces including the Falklands War the first Gulf War and operations in the former Yugoslavia.

51 Squadron relocated to RAF Waddington in 1995 with its support organisations EWOSE Electronic Warfare Operational Support Establishment EWAD Electronic Warfare and Avionics Detachment and EWTU Electronic Warfare Training Unit following the closure of RAF Wyton for flying operations. 51 Squadron continued its tasking deploying to operations in Iraq Afghanistan and Africa.

With the procurement of Boeing RC 135V W Rivet Joint aircraft the Squadron retired its Nimrod R1 on 28 June 2011 with Squadron personnel undertaking Conversion Training at Offutt Air Force Base Nebraska USA. Qualified 51 Squadron personnel are Co Manning alongside their US counterparts on Rivet Joint operational missions during the transition period with UK Rivet Joint aircraft due to enter service with 51 Squadron by December 2013.

This patch dates from 2003.