No. 360 Squadron RAF

No. 360 Squadron RAF was an electronic countermeasures (ECM) squadron of the Royal Air Force.

No. 360 Squadron RAF
Active1 April 1966 – 31 October 1994
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
RoleElectronic countermeasures training
Motto(s)Latin: Confundemus
(Translation: "We shall throw into confusion")[1]
Insignia
Squadron Badge heraldryIn front of a trident erect, a moth, wings displayed[1]
Squadron Roundel
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare		English Electric Canberra

History

The squadron was created from the merger of the personnel of 831 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm (previously operating the Fairey Gannet ECM.6) and 'B' Flight, No. 97 Squadron RAF (flying English Electric Canberras) at RAF Watton on 1 April 1966. Initially it was known as Joint Electronic Warfare Trials and Training Force before being given its official designation of No. 360 [RN/RAF] Squadron on 23 September 1966. The squadron flew a number of Canberra types: B.2s, T.4s (for pilot training); a B.6; PR.7s and E.17s. The first Canberra T.17 was delivered just before Christmas 1966 and this type soldiered on until disbandment in 1994.

A sister squadron, No. 361 Squadron RAF was also formed in January 1967 for deployment to the Far East. However, following the 1967 Defence Review, 361 Squadron became redundant and was officially disbanded in July the same year.

No. 360 Squadron moved to RAF Cottesmore in April 1969. The official squadron badge was awarded in 1973: the trident represents the Royal Navy involvement, whilst the moth (of the species Melese laodamia) depicts the unique role of the Squadron (this particular moth avoids predatory bats by jamming their prey-finding "radar" system).[2] 360 Squadron moved again in September 1975 to RAF Wyton where it remained until being disbanded in October 1994, its work being taken over by Flight Refuelling Ltd.[3]

In 1991 360 Squadron achieved 25 years of service, and was presented with a Squadron Standard. No. 360 Squadron had many unique aspects: its role, its number had not been previously issued, and it is the only squadron to have been formed, awarded a Standard, and disbanded during Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Aircraft operated
An English Electric Canberra T17 of No. 360 Sqn at Aviano Air Base, Italy
Aircraft operated by no. 360 Squadron RAF, data from[1][4]
FromToAircraftVersion
April 1966English Electric CanberraT.4
September 1966May 1967English Electric CanberraB.6
September 1966August 1967English Electric CanberraB.2
December 1966October 1994English Electric CanberraT.17
September 1991October 1994English Electric CanberraPR.7
September 1991October 1994English Electric CanberraE.15

Squadron bases
Bases and airfields used by no. 360 Squadron RAF, data from[1][4]
FromToBase
1 April 196621 April 1969RAF Watton
21 April 19691 September 1975RAF Cottesmore
1 September 197531 October 1994RAF Wyton

See also
  • list of RAF squadrons

References

Notes
  1. Halley 1988, p. 387.
  2. Baker, E. (2018). "Bioacoustics and Military History". Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  3. Barrass, M. B. (2015). "No. 353–361 Squadron Histories". Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  4. Jefford 2001, p. 90.

Bibliography
  • Halley, James J. (1988). The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth, 1918–1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
  • Jefford, C.G. (2001). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912 (2nd ed.). Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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