9 Regiment Army Air Corps

{{Infobox military unit

|unit_name= 9 Regiment Army Air Corps

|image=

|caption= Official crest of the Army Air Corps

|dates= November 1971 - December 1982
June 1989 – 2016
April 2018–

|country= {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom

|allegiance=

|branch= {{flagicon|UK|army}} Army Air Corps

|type=

|role=

|size= Regiment

|command_structure=No. 1 Flying Training School RAF

|current_commander=

|garrison= RAF Shawbury

|garrison_label=

|ceremonial_chief=

|colonel_of_the_regiment=

|nickname=

|patron=

|motto=

|colors=

|colors_label=

|march=

|mascot=

|equipment=

|equipment_label=

|battles=

|anniversaries=

|decorations=

|battle_honours=

|identification_symbol= The Regimental emblem is the Army Air Corps Cap Badge with the Roman numeral 'IX' beneath.

|identification_symbol_label= Squadron Badge heraldry

|commander1 = Major Tim Peake CMG{{cite news|url=https://www.forces.net/news/delighted-and-honoured-tim-peake-becomes-honorary-colonel-army-air-corps-regiment|title='Delighted And Honoured': Tim Peake Becomes Honorary Colonel Of Army Air Corps Regiment|date=6 February 2021|publisher=Forces News|accessdate=6 February 2021}}

|commander1_label = Honorary Colonel

}}

9 Regiment Army Air Corps is a regiment of the Army Air Corps (AAC), that currently serves as the Battlefield Helicopter Wing of No. 1 Flying Training School RAF (formerly the Defence Helicopter Flying School).

History

Between 1971 and 1989 the Headquarters of the regiment was based at Hobart Barracks, Detmold, Germany until moving to Dishforth. Initially between 1971 and 1976 both 655 and 669 Squadrons were part of the regiment at Detmold.{{sfn|Watson|2005|p=80}}{{sfn|Watson|2005|p=111}} In 1977 655 was replaced by 659 Squadron and the squadrons stayed together until 1982,{{sfn|Watson|2005|p=80}}

{{sfn|Watson|2005|p=88}}{{sfn|Watson|2005|p=94}} when 654 Squadron joined.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The Regiment was declared combat ready with the AgustaWestland Apache AH.1 during May 2005.{{cite book |title=AirForces Monthly |publisher=Key Publishing Ltd |location=Stamford, Lincolnshire, England |publication-date=January 2023 |pages=73}}

In 2016, the regiment merged with 1 Regiment Army Air Corps, based at RNAS Yeovilton.{{Cite web |url=http://www.forces.tv/27475526 |title=Cadets Enjoy Exhilarating Half Term Thanks to Army Air Corps | Forces TV |access-date=22 February 2016 |archive-date=2 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302224151/http://www.forces.tv/27475526 |url-status=dead }}

In April 2018, the regiment was re-formed and tasked with role of the Battlefield Helicopter Wing of the re-shaped Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury under the UK MFTS contract. It thus became a Tri-Service organisation under No. 22 Group RAF and comprising a squadron from both the Army Air Corps, and the RAF. It conducts Advanced Rotary Wing Training for Pilots and Crewmen who have completed Basic Rotary Wing Training in the sister wing, 2 Maritime Air Wing. Together, both of these units make up No. 1 Flying Training School RAF, the former DHFS.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Structure

The regiment consists of:

No. 60 Squadron RAF, at RAF Shawbury, (Airbus Juno HT1){{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/oswestry/2019/07/23/scores-attend-shropshire-funeral-of-tragic-raf-war-hero-who-died-with-no-family/|title=Scores attend Shropshire funeral of tragic RAF war hero who died with no family|date=23 July 2019|publisher=Shropshire Star|access-date=28 October 2020}}
No. 670 Squadron, Army Air Corps, at RAF Shawbury, (Airbus Juno HT1){{cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/in-focus-british-army-fights-to-influence-helicopter-training-choices/102622.article|title=IN FOCUS: British Army fights to influence helicopter training choices|date=18 October 2011|publisher=Flight Global|access-date=28 October 2020}}

9 Regiment Army Air Corps

History

Structure

See also

References

Further reading