Originally named the Air Defence Support Squadron the unit was re-named No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron on 1st October 1999, this is a historic Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron dating back to before the Second World War.

The current role of the Squadron is to provide trained personnel to augment and support the Royal Air Force during operations, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, during times of crisis and war. Additionally, during peacetime, Squadron personnel may be tasked with operations in support of major exercises.

The prime function of the Squadron was to provide personnel in the Survive To Operate (STO) role integrating fully with their regular counterparts on exercises or operations.

Survive To Operate is "the ability of the RAF to continue its primary function during operations, which may include ground or air attack by conventional, nuclear, biological or chemical means on its assets".

The Squadron commenced training personnel in April 1998 and was officially reformed here at RAF Leeming in November 2000, with no aircraft!  The Squadron's role has changed over the seven year period since being formed in 1998 and we are now a Force Protection (FP) Squadron within the FP Force Element, currently part of 2 Force Protection Wing, which consists of the following elements:

·       Wing Headquarters at RAF Leeming

·       34 Squadron, RAF Regiment.  A regular field Regiment Unit based at RAF Leeming

·       2503 (City of Lincoln) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force.  A Reservist field Regiment Squadron based at RAF Waddington

·       609(WR) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force. A Reservist Operational Support Squadron based at RAF Leeming

 During OP TELIC ONE in 2003, the Squadron were mobilised and 60 Reservists were deployed to various locations in the Middle East during the period February to September 2003.These included:  Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and Cyprus. As well as being deployed some members of the Squadron worked with units in the UK, covering for members of the Regular Force who had been deployed. 

 Unlike their predecessors, who came from the Leeds area, today’s volunteers come from all over the North of England; BUT they are compatible in that they are a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people, proud to serve.

©    609(WR) Squadron  - Royal Auxiliary Air Force

        2008