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51 Squadron RAF Regiment is a field squadron of the RAF Regiment in the Royal Air Force. Its mission is protection of RAF bases from ground attack.
51 Squadron RAF Regiment is part of 5 Force Protection Wing. It is a multi-discipline squadron, highly trained in dismounted close combat, Ground Extraction Force operations, Close Quarter Battle, and operating within Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear environments.
The Squadron consists of approximately 170 personnel, including its own armourers, engineers, technicians, logisticians, a chef, and a paramedic, and routinely conducts training exercises across the UK and overseas in support of RAF operations.
The Squadron is equipped and trained in a range of specialist capabilities, including 81mm mortars, machine guns, and anti-armour systems such as Javelin and the Next Generation Light Anti-Tank weapon.
51 Squadron RAF Regiment was formed in 1947 at RAF Celle near the Lüneburg Heath in Germany by the redesignation of No. 2713 Squadron RAF Regiment. Its initial role was as a rifle squadron, protecting RAF facilities from ground attack. In 1955 it changed to the light anti-aircraft role which it retained until disbanded in 1957.
In 1964 the squadron reformed, switching back to the field squadron role, at the RAF Catterick.
In 1968 the squadron moved to RAF Wittering. With the start of the troubles in Northern Ireland in 1969, No. 51 Squadron deployed to the province, a process which it would repeat at regular intervals for the next 18 years. This period also saw deployments to RAF Salalah and Hong Kong.
In 1982 the squadron moved back to Catterick from Wittering to re-role. It emerged operating the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (tracked) family However its next war service was not to be in Europe but in the Middle East. In aftermath of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait the squadron deployed to Arabia. Following the Options for Change defence cuts, the squadron was disbanded in 1993.
51 Squadron RAF Regiment returned to active service for the squadron and reformed at RAF Honington in 2001 before moving to RAF Lossiemouth. It was not long before war beckoned again, and the squadron was deployed in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Following the invasion, the squadron had several roulements back in the region.
The squadron deployed three times to Afghanistan; twice to Kandahar Airfield and once to Camp Bastion. The squadron was on FP duties at Camp Bastion when the Taliban launched an attack on the base popularly known as “The Battle of Bastion”. This involved squadron personnel actively engaging and repelling enemy forces as part of a wider force including other UK forces and the US Marines.
Most recently, 20 personnel from the Regiment deployed in support of Operation Shader. In 2016, the squadron celebrated its 75th anniversary with a parade at their home base of RAF Lossiemouth. Whilst the squadron was formed in 1940, it did not become an official RAF Defence Squadron until 1941.
In April 2021 51 Squadron RAF Regiment was highlighted for potential disbandment under new forces cuts.