63 Squadron RAF Regiment (King’s Colour Squadron)

 

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The King’s Colour Squadron is part of the Combat Readiness Force and serves as the Royal Air Force’s dedicated ceremonial unit. It represents the RAF at state and national ceremonial events and provides Guards of Honour for the Royal Family, Heads of State, dignitaries, and other VIPs.

The RAF has maintained a ceremonial drill unit in Middlesex since the early 1920s. On 26 May 1951, in recognition of the Service’s achievements, Her Royal Highness The Princess Elizabeth, acting on behalf of her father King George VI, presented the Royal Air Force with its first Colour in the United Kingdom. Following the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, the RAF Drill Unit was officially renamed The Queen’s Colour Squadron on 1 November 1960.

Following the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Squadron became the custodians of the King’s Colour and was formally renamed the King’s Colour Squadron on 27 October 2022.

The Squadron has the honour of providing the Escort Squadron whenever the Colour is paraded. Additional ceremonial responsibilities include mounting The King’s Guard on behalf of the RAF at the London Palaces, Windsor Castle, and the Tower of London.

Composed exclusively of officers and gunners from the RAF Regiment, the King’s Colour Squadron also maintains a dual operational role as a regular field squadron within 63 Squadron RAF Regiment, with personnel actively deployed on operations across Europe and the Middle East.

The King’s Colour Squadron is internationally recognised for its Continuity Drill Displays, captivating audiences worldwide, including in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, and the United States. The Squadron also holds a world record for completing more than 2,700,000 foot and rifle drill movements in 23 hours and 55 minutes.

63 Squadron RAF Regiment was formed as a light anti-aircraft squadron by re-numbering No 2865 Squadron on 21st August 1943 at Gatow.  It served in the LAA role for the duration of the Second World War. In 1946, while serving in Berlin. It deployed in the Light Anti-Aircraft role in Malaysia during the 1960s, particularly during the Confrontation with Indonesia at RAF TENGAH. The squadron’s role later changed, to become a field squadron. It remained in this role until 1972, when it was planned to become the first RAF Regiment squadron equipped with the Rapier Surface to Air Missile system, thus returning to the air defence role based at RAF North Luffenham. However, 2 unexpected tours in Northern Ireland meant it was 1974 before the squadron converted to the LAA role. Following this, it was deployed in RAF Gutersloh until 1992, when, with the gradual withdrawal of the RAF from Europe, the squadron was disbanded. Whilst at Gutersloh, 63 Sqn RAF Regt was deployed, as part of 5 Brigade to the Falkland Islands during the conflict there. They landed at San Carlos on 29 May – 1 June, deployed immediately and remained there until being redeployed to Stanley after the conflict ceased.

After leaving Germany, it settled at Uxbridge as the Queen’s Colour Squadron but operating as a Field Squadron, when required.  63 RAF Regiment deployed to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and 2007 as a Field Squadron to Basra Air Station, providing force protection to the air base and the RAF air assets located there. Later, it in 2009 it took part in Operation Herrick and deployed to Afghanistan.

It became the King’s Colour Squadron after the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 2.

It was a pure ceremonial unit for 30 years, providing the sole escort to the colour, and famed for its displays of exhibition drill. However, the Options for Change reforms led to the squadron being given an operational role as a field squadron in addition to its ceremonial role. For this, it was given the ‘number plate’ of No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment, being renamed The Queen’s Colour Squadron RAF (No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment).