407 Long Range Patrol Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent a winged trident Gules winged Or piercing in base the shank of an anchor Sable.

Significance

The badge represents the blows struck against enemy shipping by the "Demon Squadron".

Motto

TO HOLD ON HIGH

Battle honours

The Second World War

ATLANTIC, 1943-1945; ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1941-1945; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942; German Ports, 1942; Normandy, 1944; BISCAY, 1942-1945.

Coalition Operation – Libya

LIBYA, 2011

SOUTH-WEST ASIA

ARABIAN SEA

Lineage

• Authorized as 'No. 407 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron' 8 May 1941.^{Footnote 1}
• Disbanded 4 June 1945.^{Footnote 2}
• Reformed as '407 (Maritime Reconnaissance) Squadron' 1 July 1952.^{Footnote 3}
• Redesignated '407 (Maritime Patrol) Squadron' 17 July 1956.^{Footnote 4}
• Designated in French ‘407e Escadron de patrouille maritime’ 9 September 1977.^{Footnote 5}
• Re-designated '407 Long Range Patrol Squadron' 5 Sep 2008.^{Footnote 6}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew against enemy shipping between Heligoland and the Bay of Biscay, after which it carried out anti-submarine operations under 'Coastal Command'.^{Footnote 7}

Coalition Operation – Libya

The Squadron’s High Readiness component was activated in late March 2011 and deployed to Naval Air Station Sigonella. 407 was initially tasked with maritime patrols contributing to the Recognized Maritime Picture, but also flew coastal patrols with the Overland Equipment Mission Suite and provided Naval Fire Support.^{Footnote 8}

South-West Asia

At various points between 2001 and 2014, 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron deployed as part of allied maritime forces to the airspace above the Arabian Sea and adjacent waters.^{Footnote 9}