News Archive (2)

Back to News Page 2

News Archive Page 1  2  3  4

Forever Vigilant Launched.  Graham Pitchfork’s definitive history of Naval 8 / 208 Squadron - ‘Forever Vigilant’ - was launched at the Squadron’s Centenary celebrations at RAF Valley on 1 April 2016.  Book Review  RAF News Article 20 May 16.  

Centenary Celebration.  To mark the centenary of the 1916 formation of Naval Eight Squadron, No 208 Squadron held a celebration on Friday 1 April 2016 at RAF Valley.  RAF News Article.  RAF Valley News Article.

208 Squadron’s Final Flight. On Wed 13 Apr 16, 208 Sqn’s final Hawk T1 flight took place, paying homage to previous Hawk units and landmarks in Wales, the Nation 208 Sqn pilots have grown to love over the last 22 years. BBC News Website. Daily Post North Wales.

208 Squadron Plaque Unveiled AOC 22 (Trg) Gp, AVM Andrew Turner, unveiled a plaque to 208(R) Sqn during his visit to RAF Valley on 13 May 2016. A photo of the 100th Anniversary Hawks was also presented to ensure that the memory of the Squadron lives on.

208 Sqn Standard Laid Up. In a poignant service at the Royal Air Force Church, St Clement Danes, at 11:00 on Sunday 22 May 2016, the 208(Reserve) Squadron Standard was finally laid up and the Squadron Disbanded. Click here to read an account of the Ceremony.

Ton-Up Two-Oh-Eight! Association members and their guests gathered at the RAF Club on Sat 22 Oct 2016 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the formation of Naval Eight Squadron at Le Vert Gallant on 26 Oct 1916. Click here to read an account of the Dinner.

Sid Jefford - In Memoriam. It is with great sadness that the Association announced the death of Sid Jefford, who passed away on Christmas Day 2016. He was a great colleague and a superb link to one of the most illustrious chapters of the Squadron’s history.

Spring Offensive 1917. 2017 marked a significant Anniversary in the history of Naval Eight / 208 Squadron. In 1917, it was heavily involved in intensive fighting during the Battle of Arras. Read the 2017 Newsletter article.

Exercise RED FLAG 1977.  3rd August 2017 marks the 40th Anniversary of the first participation in Exercise RED FLAG by any RAF squadron and, of course, 208 was that Squadron. Click HERE to read David Wilby’s recollections of the deployment.

The Chanak Crisis - 95 Years Ago. The ‘Chanak Crisis’ was the first post-war test of the RAF’s capability to mobilise a fighting formation to any trouble spot, at virtually no notice. Click here to read an account of 208 Sqn’s part in the Operation.

New Format for 2017 Reunion.  Association Members and their guests met in the Victoria Bar and the President’s Room at the RAF Club for a new-format Annual Reunion on Saturday 21 October 2017. Click here to read an account of the entertaining stories told.

RAF - 100th Anniversary. The celebrations of 100 years of the RAF also marked the 100th Anniversary of 208 Sqn, formed from Naval Eight Sqn at Teteghem, near Dunkirk on the Western Front on 1st April 2018. Click here to read a short history of 208 Squadron.

The Last Piston Air Combat. 22 May 2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the world’s last piston-engined air combat, in which Spitfires of 208 Squadron shot down 4 Egyptian Spitfires.  Click here to read Graham Pitchfork’s historical account of the engagement.

Little Memorial. On 27 May 2018, the Association Chairman, David T-Ryder, laid a wreath at a Ceremony of Remembrance, exactly 100 years to day that Flt Cdr Robert Little died from his wounds. Click HERE to read an article about the Ceremony.

Robert Alexander Little. Robert Little is generally regarded as the most successful Australian flying ace, with an official tally of 47 victories. 27 May 2018 marked the 100th Anniversary of his death. Click here to read a history of one of WWI’s greatest pilots.

Tom Neil - In Memoriam. Wg Cdr Tom Neil, former Battle of Britain fighter ‘ace’ and CO of 208 Sqn between May 53 and Nov 55, passed away on 11 Jul 2018, at the age of 97. Click here to read his obituary, which first appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 13 Jul 2018.

Op Fortitude - Jordan 1958.  17 Jul 18 marks the 60th anniversary of the deployment of Hunters of 208 Squadron deployed to Amman to provide air support to British Forces. Click here to read a synopsis of the deployment, with galleries of photos from the Jordan det.