No. 26 Squadron RAF Regiment

No 26 Sqn RAF Regiment
Active	Aug 1951 - Mar 2008
Role	Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD)
Parent Station	RAF Waddington
Motto	"Action - Reaction"
Commanders
Officer Commanding	Sqn Ldr Matt Radnall 2005-07 Flt Lt Joe Duhan 2007-08

Formed at Yatesbury on 27 August 1951, '26 Squadron RAF Regiment' has served and been based at locations such as Abu Sueir, Habbaniya, Amman, Tymbou, Nicosia, Changi, Bicester, Gutersloh and Laarbruch. It took part in Operation Granby and Desert Storm in 1990-91 and latterly it was based at RAF Waddington as a Rapier Squadron.

The Squadron routinely spent a great deal of time away from home, carrying out an 8-month roulement in the Falklands in every 32 months, and being on call to defend the RAF or other UK assets throughout the world as part of the Joint Rapid Deployment Force or NATO Reaction Force (Air). The Squadron also deployed in the field role to provide Force Protection for deployed RAF Operating Bases, a role performed as part of the Coalition Forces in Iraq during Operation TELIC.

In July 2004 it was announced that the role of providing Ground Based Air Defence was to be transferred to the Army and the four Royal Air Force Regiment Rapier squadrons (15 Sqn; 16 Sqn; 26 Sqn and 37 Sqn) were to be disbanded. Prior to 26 Sqn's disbandment in March 2008, there was time for one last tour of duty as the Falkland Islands Resident Rapier Sqn (RRS) in April–November 2006, during which time the last ever RAF Regiment Rapier missile practice camp (MPC) took place. The gunners then amalgamated with those of sister squadron, 15 Sqn RAF Regiment to create a field squadron. The combined squadron deployed to Afghanistan for a 6 month tour of duty in August 2007, before 26 Sqn's formal disbandment and march-off in March 2008 from RAF Waddington, its home of the previous 10 years.

With a proud history of operations around the world, No 26 Squadron RAF Regiment lived up to its motto 'Action – Reaction'.

UPDATE: On 24 MAY 2010 the existing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Operations Squadron was renumbered to 26 Squadron RAF Regiment.

26 Squadron’s current role is to deliver specialist CBRN defence capabilities at very high readiness in support of national strategic operations. This is achieved through the following functions:

Overseas Sampling and Identification of Biological, Chemical and Radiological Agents Military Sampling Team (SIBCRA MST) to exploit CBRN programme/event scenes globally, recovering evidence and intelligence to approved analytical agencies in a safe & forensically-sound manner in order to support national strategic decision-making.

Support to UK Explosive CBRN Counter-Terrorism (CT) as part of the Technical Response Force (TRF) deliveringHotline Command, contamination control and casualty evacuation during the disablement phase of ECBRN Terrorist incidents in the UK.

Support to UK Nuclear Accident Response through radiation monitoring, contamination control, and casualty evacuation for Nuclear Weapon, or Defence Nuclear Material, incidents throughout the UK, in order to safeguard both civilian and military public safety. .