- No. XVII Squadron RAF
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=No. XVII Squadron RAF
role=Air defence (Operational Evaluation)
equipment=Eurofighter Typhoon
garrison=RAF Coningsby
motto="Excellere Contende" (Strive to excel)"
identification_symbol=A Gauntlet
dates=1 February 1915 - 4 November 1919
1 April 1924 - 23 February 1948
11 February 1949 - 13 March 1951
1 June 1956 - 31 December 1969
1 September 1970 -
battle_honours=No. XVII Squadron (or "17 Sqn") is an active
squadron of theRoyal Air Force . The first No 17 Squadron was formed in theRoyal Flying Corps in 1915. After the warNo 691 Squadron RAF was renumbered as No 17 Squadron.As "No. XVII (Reserve) Squadron" it was reformed on 1 April 2005 at
RAF Coningsby inLincolnshire to operate the Typhoon T.1 and F.2. It is theOperational Evaluation Unit for the type and is called the Typhoon Operational Evaluation Unit (TOEU). cite news |title = Typhoon Spitting Flares |work = Air Forces Monthly |publisher = Key Publishing |page = 6 |date = November 2006 |accessdate = 2006-10-17] On initial entry to RAF service the squadron was reformed "as a Reserve Squadron" on 1st September 2002 atBAE Systems ' Warton airfield where a special facility had been constructed. The Squadron relocated toRAF Coningsby on 1st April 2005 and was officially re-formed at its new base on 19th May 2005. [cite news | title = BAE Systems bids farewell to 17(R) Sqn as they head for new home at RAF Coningsby | publisher = BAE Systems plc | date = 2005-04-01 | url = http://www.baesystems.com/newsroom/2005/apr/010405news1.htm
accessdate =2006-10-17] No. XVII(R) Squadron was joined atRAF Coningsby on 1st July 2005 by No. 29 Squadron, thus bringing to the end the Typhoon's "Case White" entry into service programme. An initial operational capability is expected to be established in 2007 by No. 3 Squadron.In recent history the squadron has played a major part in the RAF forces in
Germany operating Canberras, Phantoms, Jaguars and the Tornado. The squadron temporarily disbanded in 2002.ee also
*
List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons References
External links
* [http://www.raf.mod.uk/structure/17squadron.cfm RAF website: No. 17 Squadron]
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