No. 10 Squadron RAF

No. 10 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operates the Vickers VC10 C1 from RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

Current Role

Introduced as air transport aircraft, the VC10 C1 fleet was modified in 1993 to allow it operate in the AAR role as well by the installation of wing mounted refueling pods. The aircraft are now known as C1(K)s.

The most visible role No. 10 squadron's VC10s have played is that of VIP transport and aeromedical evacuations. In the VIP role the C1s have flown the British Royal Family, government ministers and Prime Ministers around the world. In recent times it has been announced that the VC10 VIP role has been phased out, VIP transport now carried out by chartered British Airways 767s and the RAF BAe 146 fleet. However Prime Minister Tony Blair has reverted to the VC10 for more sensitive flights, notably during his diplomacy to Pakistan and the Middle East after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

History

Formed in 1915 during World War One at Farnborough, 10 Squadron served on the Western Front in France in the spotting and bombing roles with a variety of aircraft types. Like many other squadrons, it was disbanded in 1919 following the end of the war.

The squadron reformed as as a bomber unit at RAF Upper Heyford in 1928, before moving to RAF Dishforth in 1937. During this time, the unit operated a variety of types, including Hyderabads, Hinaidis, Virginias and Heyfords, begining the Second World War equipped with the Whitley. The squadron remained a part of Bomber Command throughout the war, re-equipping with the Halifax in 1941.

Following the end of the war in Europe in 1945, the Squadron spent four years with Transport Command flying Dakotas, first in India and then, after a short disbandment, in Europe, taking part in the Berlin Airlift.

No 10 Squadron reverted to it's original bomber role in the 1950s and early 1960s, seeing it take part in the Suez Crisis, equipped with the Canberra, and then flying Victors at RAF Cottesmore.

In 1966, the squadron became the first to receive the new VC10, reverting to an air transport squadron at RAF Fairford in the July of that year. The unit moved to Brize Norton in 1967, where it remains to this day, still operating the VC10 C1. The C1 differs from all other RAF VC10s in that they were delivered newly built as strategic transports. The VC10 K3 and K4s of 101 Squadron are all converted airliners.

14 VC10 C1s were delivered to 10 Squadron between 1966 and 1967. The C1 is not a simple conversion of a civil VC10, it combines the short fuselage of the Standard VC10 with the wing and more powerful engines of the Super VC10. The C1 can carry 139 passengers in rear facing seats, eight standard pallets or up to 78 medical evacuation stretchers. The strengthened floor allowed the C1 to transport 1,000lb bombs for the Tornado GR1 force during the Gulf War, each aircraft carrying 50 per flight. During the war, 10 Sqn flew 1,326 sorties in over 5,000 hours.

The squadron has also taken part in most other operations involving British forces, including the 1982 Falklands War and the 2003 war in Iraq.

The VC10 will remain in service with 10 and 101 Squadrons until around 2008, when the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft is due to start replacing them (most likely the C1s first.)