RAF Patch HF RAF Gutersloh Harrier Heli Force Field Catering Flt

RAF Patch RAF Royal Air Force Field Catering Flight RAF Gutersloh Harrier And Helicopter Forces Patch 1980s Printed on twill merrowed edge 107mm four and one quarter inches diameter.

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Harrier Force RAF Germany was established on the reactivation of 4 Squadron and 20 Squadron equipped with Harrier GR 1 VSTOL aircraft at RAF Wildenrath in 1970 to provide tactical ground attack close air support CAS and reconnaissance against the Soviet and Warsaw Pact threat. The flexibility of the Harrier with its ability to be dispersed to temporary operating locations away from the main Air Bases which would be targeted in the event of war provided a conventional deterrent and a strike weapon against Soviet aggression with the Harrier Force trained to launch
attacks on advancing armour columns from East Germany. The dispersed operating locations were provided with Harrier Force ground support units to provide a fully supported operating environment including mobile RICs engineering maintenance servicing catering security from the RAF Regiment and the construction of temporary takeoff and landing sites by British Army Royal Engineers. 3 Squadron joined RAF Germany Harrier Force on its reactivation with Harrier GR 1s at RAF Wildenrath in 1972.

In 1977 the Harrier Force relocated to RAF Gutersloh being much closer to the prospective front line in the event of an outbreak of a European war. 20 Squadrons was disbanded to form with Jaguars at RAF Bruggen and its Harrier aircraft distributed between 3 and 4 Squadrons. The Squadrons continued with the Harrier upgrading to GR 3 in 1977 GR 5 in 1989 and GR 7 Night Attack in 1991.

With the end of the Cold War Harrier Force moved to RAF Laarbruch in 1992 and RAF Germany disbanded as a separate command in 1993

Royal Air Force Germany Helicopter Force was formed when 18 Squadron relocated with its Chinook helicopters from RAF Odiham to RAF Gutersloh West Germany in 1984 joining 230 Squadron Pumas based there since 14 October 1980. The Helicopter Force deployed to dispersed operating locations which were provided with dedicated ground support units to provide a fully supported operating environment including
mobile engineering maintenance servicing catering security from the RAF Regiment and the construction of temporary takeoff and landing sites by British Army Royal Engineers. Helicopter Force RAF Gutersloh continued until 230 Squadron disbanded to be reformed at RAF Aldergrove in April 1992 and 18 Squadron relocated to RAF Laarbruch in 1993.

This patch dates from the 1980s.