43(FIGHTER) SQUADRON GRANTED FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF STERLING

3 Jun 2005 12:45 PM

No. 43 (Fighter) Squadron are set to become the first ever Royal Air Force Squadron to be granted the Freedom of a City.

On Saturday 4th June 2005, the Fathers of the Royal City of Stirling will honour No 43(F) Squadron by conferring upon them the Freedom of the City.

The Freedom Parade and celebrations will be attended by the Minister for Armed Forces, Adam Ingram MP; Air Chief Marshal Sir Anthony Bagnall, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff and former Squadron Commander who retires next month; and Air Chief Marshal Sir Roger Palin, another former commander of the Squadron who retired as Air Member for Personnel, having commanded RAF Germany during the first Gulf War.

The main parade, consisting of Squadron personnel as well as the Queen's Colour Squadron will commence at the Municipal Buildings at midday and will march through the City with the Standards of the RAF and the Squadron unfurled. The salute will be taken at King's Fields by the Vice-Chief at 1300hrs and will be marked by a 4-ship flypast of Tornado F3 aircraft, the Band of the RAF College Cranwell and a field gun salute. The parade will conclude at the Stirling Military Show 2005. On the previous evening, a Cairn to commemorate the formation of the Squadron will be unveiled at Raploch before a Civic Reception in the Municipal Buildings.

No 43(F) Squadron, known as the "Fighting Cocks" because the Squadron badge is a Black English Gamecock, was formed at Falleninch field, near Stirling Castle in April 1916 by Captain William Sholto Douglas RFC, who was later to become Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Lord Douglas of Kirtleside.

Since its formation, the Squadron has had a long and distinguished history having been heavily involved in both World Wars, particularly the Battle of Britain, and in later operations in the Balkans and over Iraq. No. 43(F) Squadron continues to provide vital round the clock air defence of the UK Airspace from its base at RAF Leuchars near St Andrews in Fife, as well as providing personnel for the defence of the South Atlantic. The Squadron currently operates the highly capable and well equipped Tornado F3 air defence aircraft.

Notes to editors

1. The MOD's online news service, UK Defence Today, can be accessed at http://news.mod.uk.