350 SQUADRON CELEBRATES ITS EIGHTIETH
350 SQUADRON CELEBRATES ITS EIGHTIETH
The year 2021 has been historically significant to RAF Valley, since it was first opened in 1941; while resident No 4 Flying Training School was recognising its centennial, after it was first formed at Abu Sueir, Egypt in 1921.
To complete the celebrations, over 30 personnel from No 350 (Belgian) Squadron, based at Florennes, were to arrive at the station on Monday, 8 November in order to also recognise their squadron’s eightieth anniversary since the unit’s embryo first began forming at RAF Valley on 12 November 1941.
On the following Tuesday, a ceremony was held in Hangar 116 officiated by the Station Commander, Group Captain Andy Turk, DFC and supported by Major Kevin Vandenhende, OC 350 . Also in attendance was retired Air Commodore M.J. ´Spike` Milligan CBE, (complete with bowler hat) representing RAFA, together with invited guests of the Valley Aviation Society who have had continuing contact with the squadron since 2004.
The Belgian personnel, including Colonel Philippe Goffin, Florennes AB commander had all arrived from Brussels, having travelled in a chartered ERJ 145, whilst the anniversary jet, F-16AM FA-86 would arrive a few hours later.
Unfortunately, the squadron’s Ops Officer, Major Pierre- Yves Libert, better known as Sausage to many VAS members, had to cancel the trip. This was following a visit to Luke AFB to check out the F-35A and had failed a Covid test when arriving back in Belgium and was obviously not allowed to travel. However, we would hope to see him again at next year’s Families Day.
During their stay and despite the horrendous weather, they had the opportunity to check out the station’s activities, together with visiting a local restaurant for a fish and chip supper, a local gin distillery and of course to taste what beers were on offer. On Wednesday morning they were to return home in advance of attending Armistice Day on 11 November.
Photo 1: Jim LeCras
Photos: 2 and 3 RAF Vly Stn Photos
Photo 4: Jim LeCras. “Dennis Pritchard, VAS Secretary; Major Kevin Vandenhende; Ron Williams, VAS Vice-chairman and Flt Lt Penny Broadway, Deputy MCO”
Photo 5: Emma Bailey
Photo 6: Belgian Air Component
