No. 28: The Winged-Horse Squadron’s 80-Year Global Journey
Few military units can match the overseas record of No. 28 Squadron. The unit spent 81 years on continual operations abroad. This historic streak ended in July 2001 when the unit reformed at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire.
The squadron departed for India in 1920. It moved across the globe for decades. The extended world tour finally ended in Hong Kong prior to the 1997 handover to China. This capped a remarkable journey that began 82 years earlier at Gosport in Hampshire.
28 Squadron badge with winged horse
World War I and the Pegasus Origins
No. 28 Squadron formed on November 7, 1915, as a training unit.
- July 1917: Moved to Yatesbury in Wiltshire.
- The Badge: The Pegasus emblem comes from the chalk white horse on the Downs near Yatesbury.
- WWI Action: Flew in France and Belgium.
- Italian Front: Transferred to Milan to reinforce allied troops.
- February 1919: Returned to Yatesbury after the war.
The Interwar Years: Challenges in India
The squadron disbanded briefly on January 20, 1920. It reformed ten weeks later at RAF Ambala in India by renumbering 114 Squadron. This change marked No. 28’s new role as an army co-operation (AC) unit.
The unit made its new home 130 miles north of New Delhi. They flew Bristol F2b Fighters to support troops across the region. However, maintenance issues plagued the early campaign:
- August 1922: A report revealed major aircraft service issues.
- The Reality: Only seven of 70 RAF aircraft in India were operational.
- The Verdict: The report stated the RAF in India was "non-existent as a fighting force."
Despite these hurdles, the RAF stayed committed to the region. No. 28 moved between Peshawar, Tank, and Quetta. They returned to Ambala in January 1927 for a ten-year stay. During this time, they upgraded to Westland Wapitis and Hawker Audaxes. Their missions included Quetta earthquake relief and quelling an uprising in Waziristan.
World War II: Island Defences and Upgrades
At the start of WWII, the squadron was located at Kohat. They soon sent a detachment to Port Blair on the Andaman Islands to counter Japan's 1941 invasion of Burma.
- Modifications: Lysander aircraft were fitted with racks for 250lb bombs.
- Targets: Attacked enemy airfields, railways, and troops.
- Retreat: British losses forced a return to India.
- Losses: Left three Lysanders in Burma and lost two at Port Blair.
In December 1942, the squadron upgraded to Hawker Hurricanes. By 1943, they were operating over Burma until the end of the war.
A No. 28 Squadron Hawker Hurricane being armed 1943
The Post-War Era and the Hong Kong Years
After WWII, No. 28 served as a fighter-reconnaissance unit in the Far East Air Force. They swapped Hurricanes for Spitfires in October 1945. Next came a series of rapid moves through Malaysia and Singapore:
- Penang, Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Tengah, Singapore
In 1949, the unit transferred to Kai Tak to bolster defences during the Chinese Civil War. Hong Kong became the squadron’s home for the next 48 years.
During this stay, No. 28 became the last front-line RAF squadron to fly Spitfires. They entered the jet age in February 1951 with de Havilland Vampires. The unit split time between Kai Tak and Sek Kong. They progressed through Venoms and Hawker Hunters before disbanding in January 1967.
The Helicopter Era
On March 1, 1968, No. 28 reformed at Kai Tak as a helicopter unit.
- First Fleet: Westland Whirlwind helicopters.
- 1972 Upgrade: Switched to the Westland Wessex.
- The Move: Relocated back to Sek Kong island.
- November 1996: Returned to Kai Tak ahead of the British withdrawal.
- The Exit: Sold their Wessex helicopters to Uruguay and returned to the UK.
Return to the UK and Modern Operations
In July 2001, No. 28 reformed at RAF Benson. This marked its first operational status in Britain in 81 years. Now flying Westland Merlin helicopters, the unit quickly deployed to global hotspots:
- April 2003: Supported NATO's peacekeeping force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- 2005 – 2009: Deployed to Basrah, Iraq, for Operation Telic.
- 2009 – 2013: Completed a four-year spell in Afghanistan for Operation Herrick.
Centenary and Legacy
Following a Strategic Defence Review, the RAF transferred its Merlin force to the Royal Navy. No. 28 reformed at RAF Benson in July 2015 as a joint Chinook and Puma Operational Conversion Unit (OCU).
The unit celebrated its delayed centenary in April 2016 alongside a new hangar refurbishment. In October 2021, the unit officially reclaimed its historical "Army Co-operation" (AC) designation. This happened exactly 101 years after first receiving the title.
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