409 Tactical Fighter Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent in front of a cloak Azure a crossbow Or.

Significance

The crossbow in front of a dark cloak indicates the unit's original role as a night fighter squadron.

Motto

MEDIA NOX MERIDIES NOSTER (Midnight is our noon)

Battle honours

The Second World War

DEFENCE OF BRITAIN, 1941-1944; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine.

Coalition Operation – Libya

LIBYA, 2011

Lineage

• Authorized as '409 (Night Fighter) Squadron' 16 June 1941.^{Footnote 1}
• Disbanded 1 July 1945.^{Footnote 2}
• Reformed as '409 All-Weather Fighter Squadron' 1 November 1954.^{Footnote 3}
• Designated in French ‘409e Escadron de chasseurs tous temps’ 1 March 1979.^{Footnote 4}
• Redesignated '409 Tactical Fighter Squadron' 1 July 1984.^{Footnote 5}
• Disbanded 30 July 1991.^{Footnote 6}
• Reformed as '409 Combat Support Squadron' 1 April 1993.^{Footnote 7}
• Disbanded 1 July 1994.^{Footnote 8}
• Reformed as ‘409 Tactical Fighter Squadron’ 1 November 2006. ^{Footnote 9}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on night air defence operations in Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany under 'Fighter Command' and '2nd Tactical Air Force'.^{Footnote 10}

Coalition Operation – Libya

On 18 May 2011, Roto 1 from 409 Squadron took over from 425 Squadron and flew missions targeting military sites around Tripoli, Misrata and Brega. The squadron continued with daily sorties until the end of the mission in October 2011. ^{Footnote 11}