No. 31 Squadron RAF
| No. 31 Squadron RAF | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 11 October 1915 – 30 September 1946, 1 November 1946 – 31 December 1947, 19 July 1948 - |
| Role | Air Interdiction, Ground Attack, Close Air Support, Reconnaissance, Suppression of enemy Air Defenses |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Marham |
| Nickname(s) | 'Goldstars' |
| Motto(s) |
In cælum indicum primus Latin:"First into Indian skies" |
| Equipment | Tornado GR4 |
| Battle honours | North West Frontier 1916–1918*, Afghanistan 1919–1920, Mahoud 1919–1920, Waziristan 1919–1925, North West Frontier 1939, Iraq 1941*, Syria 1941, Egypt and Libya 1941–1942*, Burma 1941–1942*, North Burma 1943–1944*, Arakan 1943–1944*, Manipur 1944*, Burma 1944–1945*, Gulf 1991*, Kosovo 1991*, Iraq 2003* Honours marked with an asterisk are those emblazoned on the Squadron Standard |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge | In front of a wreath of laurel, a mullet. |
| Squadron Roundel |  |
| Squadron codes |
ZA Apr 1939 - Sep 1939 CB Jul 1948 - Mar 1955 VS Jul 1948 - 1951 |
No. 31 Squadron of the British Royal Air Force (RAF), known as the 'Goldstars', currently operates the Tornado GR4 from RAF Marham, Norfolk.
The squadron was formed at Farnborough on 11 October 1915. Its first deployment was to Risalpur, District of Pukhtunkhwa province (formerly North-West Frontier Province) in the British India with its BE2Cs and Farmans, and during this time it took part in operations in the Third Anglo-Afghan War and on the North-West Frontier. In September 1919 BE2s were replaced by Bristol Fighters.
In April 1939 the Squadron changed to the bomber transport role. During 1941, the Squadron began to concentrate on transport duties with seconded DC-2s. Returning to India the squadron re-equipped with the Dakota. After the Japanese invasion of Burma, it flew missions between Calcutta and Rangoon dropping supplies for the XIVth Army. After World War II the squadron moved to Java. In 1946 the Squadron was disbanded in Java and reformed at PAF Base Masroor, Mauripur Karachi, at that time in British India.
At the end of 1947 it was again disbanded, but reformed in July 1948. In 1955, the unit reverted to its previous identity, and No. 31 Squadron moved to Laarbruch in Germany with Canberra PR7s. The squadron flew Canberras until 1971 when they were replaced by Phantoms.
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