On This Day, 1999: On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…
Read the entry →Modern RAF Articles
In-depth articles, analysis and long reads from The RAF Chronicle.
Bosnia Airlift Milestone for No. 47 Squadron Hercules
Modern RAF
On 3 June 1993, No. 47 Squadron Hercules crews reached 600 Bosnia airlift sorties and 19 million pounds of relief delivered.
Read the article →Falklands Invaded as Britain Begins Its Air Response
On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, and the RAF began the urgent air planning and…
RAF Puma Farewell Flight Marks the End of 54 Years
On 26 March 2025, the RAF began the Puma HC Mk2 farewell tour from RAF Benson, marking the…
Operation Telic Begins with Major RAF Commitment in Iraq
On 21 March 2003, Operation Telic began with a major RAF commitment, combining precision strike, coalition sorties and…
Operation Northern and Southern Watch Come to an End
On 20 March 2003, Northern and Southern Watch ended, closing years of coalition air policing over Iraq just…
John Paddy Hemingway, Last Battle of Britain Pilot
On 17 March 2025, John “Paddy” Hemingway died at 105, marking the passing of the last surviving Battle…
First Apache Delivered to the British Army Air Corps
On 15 March 2000, the first Westland-built WAH-64 Apache entered British service, marking a major step in Army…
Merlin HC3 Delivered to No. 28 Squadron at RAF Benson
On 7 March 2001, the first Merlin HC3 arrived at RAF Benson, marking a major step in modern…
Irgun Attacks RAF Bases Across Palestine in June 1946
On 25 February 1946, Irgun raids on RAF bases at Petah Tiqva, Qastina and Lydda destroyed or damaged…
No. 25 Squadron Deployed to France on the Western Front
On 20 February 1916, No. 25 Squadron was deployed to France, marking an early expansion of British air…
Arrival of the RAF’s First Poseidon MRA1
On 4 February 2020, the first RAF Poseidon MRA1 arrived in the United Kingdom, restoring a dedicated long-range…
RAF Typhoons Join Allied Strikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen
On 3 February 2024, RAF Typhoons joined allied strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen as part of efforts…
Two RAF Panavia Tornados Strike Iraqi Radar Systems
On 31 January 1999, two RAF Tornados struck an Iraqi radar site after a reported violation of the…