The Royal Air Force Regiment was formed at the height of the Second World War to provide light anti-aircraft and ground defence for Royal Air Force airfields at home and abroad. The RAF Regiment has the enviable record of having been on continuous active service since its formation in Feb 1942.
Formed on the 19 November 1951 as a light anti-aircraft sqn, 34 Sqn RAF Regiment first operated over seas when it moved to El Hammra, Eygpt and from where it launched a number of operational detachments to the Suez Canal Zone. The Sqn subsequently moved to Cyprus in 1956 to counter the EKOA terrorist campaign. Operational detachments continued in Libya, Aden, Iran and within Cyprus itself, including during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the subsequent bloody partition. Re-rolled in 1975 as a field sqn it was equipped with Land Rovers, machine guns and mortars until being subsequently re-equipped with the Scorpion range of light armoured vehicles in 1982 where it became Known as a CVRT Sqn.
Following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, 34 Sqn Deployed to the Gulf region to provide ground defence for Royal Air Force forward bases in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Then from 1992 until 1996 the Sqn's primary responsibility was the internal security of RAF Akrotiri and its assets. The Sqn reverted to its field sqn roll in 1993. During this time the Sqn carried out detachments to undertake security duties at Mount Troodos and Mount Olympus. After 40 years service in Cyprus, 34 Sqn RAF Regt handed over operational responsibility to the 1st Bn Royal Gloucester Berkshire and Wiltshire Regt on 31 Jan 1996. By April 1996 the Sqn had settled into it's new home, RAF Leeming.
In Sept 1996 the Sqn carried out Ex VOLCANO at Damblain Airfield in France. The exercises aim was to practice the co-ordination of the French Air Force and Royal Air Force under the auspices of the French British European Air Group. The Sqn's role included using Rapid Air Landing procedures to secure and hold the Airfield.
The Sqn deployed on Op LODESTAR to Banja Luka in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia in Jan 1997. For the following 6 months the Sqn was responsible for the security of the Headquarters Multinational Division South West and jointly responsible for the Banja Luka AO. Throughout the Operation, 34 Sqn RAF Regt assisted in a series of humanitarian aid projects, significantly improving the quality of life of those hit hardest by the ongoing conflict. 34 Sqn RAF Regt was presented with the Wilkinson Sword for Peace 1997 jointly with 1 Sqn RAF Regt for the combined efforts in providing humanitarian support throughout Op LODESTAR.
In Oct 1997 the Sqn carried out a TALO demonstration at Keevil Airfield. The aim of the Exercise was to illustrate to the visiting Joint Service Command Staff Course how quickly the assaulting force could secure the airhead, prior to future offensive/defensive action.
With rising international tension in the Gulf, 34 Sqn RAF Regt took the lead roll in securing Ali Al Salem from potential terrorist and conventional ground attack in Feb 1998. By the end of the month the entire Sqn had deployed on Op BOLTON, providing security for the Airfield. After a demanding and extremely productive detachment, the task was handed over to II Sqn in Jun 1998. This was then followed in July 1998 by providing a demonstration of field squadrons capabilities at the Royal Tournament at Earls Court.
During Feb1999 a Section deployed to the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia assisting the Support Helicopter Force on Op AGRICOLA. In July a Flt from the Squadron again deployed to Macedonia to assist in the security of forward air elements of KFOR, the Kosovo stabilisation force.
34 Sqn RAF Regt again took on the Op BOLTON task in May 00, the Sqn spent 8-months on Ops, split into 2 half Sqn detachments of 4-months. The beginning of 2001 was dominated by Op PENINSULAR, the military assistance to the civil powers during the Foot and Mouth epidemic. The Sqn was instrumental in the formation of standard operating procedures for military units working through the crisis. Some of the Sqn worked in the Leeds HQ but the majority deployed throughout North Yorkshire to assist with the cull of animals on infected premises. This also involved monitoring the decontamination of each of the farms after the animals had been removed. The Sqn was awarded the Commander-in-Chief's Commendation for the efforts of all the personnel involved in Op PENINSULAR, the first time the award has ever been made to a formed unit.
The Sqn then underwent Northern Ireland training in preparation for an Op PENNANT detachment in Nov 01, however, due to the events of Sep11, the Sqn was instead put on standby to assist with future operations against terrorism, hence Op PENNANT was cancelled.
In Nov 01 B Flt deployed to Thumrait, Oman, in support of counter-terrorist Ops in Afghanistan. The Flt provided point defence for the aircraft at Thumrait and was then followed by OC 34 Sqn and A Flt deploying to Kabul International Airfield (KIA) in Afghanistan during Jan 02. The task was made all the more challenging by the extremely austere environment that was encountered. The Flt's taskings included the construction of defences and providing security for the Air Point of Departure (APOD) despite the constant high threat from the Taliban and the extremely large numbers of mines. The Flt also carried out section level foot patrols in Kabul City, aswell as integrating some joint patrols with the 2 Battalion Parachute Regiment. The Flt was also responsible for providing protection for the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, when he visited. The Sqn was reunited in Apr 02 with the return of C Flt from Kabul and with B Flt from a short spell in Kenya protecting a detachment of Cambra PR9s. The Sqn then undertook another four-month roulement in Ali Al Salem this time as part of Op RESINATE (SOUTH) that finished in Oct 02.
On January 16 2003 the Squadron again found itself on Operations in the Gulf this time as part of OP Telic and the liberation of Iraq. Deploying to Basra International Airport as a part of 3 Commando Bde. Returning in April only to find itself re-deploying back to Basra International Airport in September in support of Op Telic 2. During which the Squadron was responsible for the protection of the APOD and the Headquarters of the Multi national Division South East (MND(SE)). With an Area of Responsibility (AOR) covering approximately 500km sq. The Squadron returned to the United Kingdom in January 2004 and is currently training for an upcoming deployment to the Jungle of Belize.
The Sqn motto is:
'Feu De Fer' 'Fire from Iron'
AWARD OF THE QUEEN'S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY
CORPORAL STEPHEN HURST, 02 OCT 00
34 SQN RAF REGT DETACHMENT, ALI AL SALEM, KUWAIT
On 2 October 2000, Corporal Hurst was commanding a Resident Field Squadron Section on a routine patrol in the vicinity of Ali Al Salem, Kuwait. Whilst patrolling the desert the patrol inadvertently entered a hazardous area containing a large number of unexploded bomblets. Displaying a calm methodical approach, Corporal Hurst withdrew his men and vehicles from the minefield with the utmost coolness. Subsequently, Cpl Hurst recorded the position of each bomblet and led the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team commander into the minefield. Corporal Hurst was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Bravery for displaying calm and confident leadership in extracting his patrol from a sizeable minefield. His quick thinking and professional actions were an example and an inspiration to his men in a difficult and dangerous situation.