425 Tactical Fighter Squadron

Squadron standard

Badge

Description

Argent a lark volant wings elevated and adorned proper.

Significance

The badge is derived from the squadron nickname "Alouette", and the motto comes from the refrain of the French Canadian folk song. The lark is shown in a hovering position indicative of a bomber over a target, about to strike the enemy.

Motto

JE TE PLUMERAI (I shall pluck you)

Battle honours

The Second World War

ENGLISH CHANNEL AND NORTH SEA, 1942-1943; FORTRESS EUROPE, 1942-1944; FRANCE AND GERMANY, 1944-1945; Biscay Ports, 1943-1944; Ruhr, 1942-1945; Berlin, 1944; German Ports, 1942-1945; Normandy, 1944; Rhine; BISCAY, 1942-1943; SICILY, 1943; ITALY, 1943; Salerno.

Special Duty Area/Balkans 'Operation ECHO/ALLIED FORCE'

KOSOVO

Coalition Operation – Libya

LIBYA, 2011

Lineage

• Authorized as 'No.425 (French Canadian) (Bomber) Squadron' 22 June 1942.^{Footnote 1}
• Disbanded 5 September 1945.^{Footnote 2}
• Reformed as '425 All Weather Fighter Squadron' 1 October 1954.^{Footnote 3}
• Disbanded 1 May 1961.^{Footnote 4}
• Reformed 15 October 1961.^{Footnote 5}
• Designated in French « 425e Escadron de chasseurs tous temps » 1 December 1978.^{Footnote 6}
• Disbanded 1 July 1984^{Footnote 7}
• Redesignated '425 Tactical Fighter Squadron' 1 July 1984.^{Footnote 8}

Operational history

The Second World War

The squadron flew on bombing and mine-laying operations in Great Britain under 'Bomber Command' and in Tunisia under 'Mediterranean Air Command'.^{Footnote 9}

Special Duty Area/Balkans 'Operation Echo/Allied Force'

The squadron flew mostly close air support and battlefield air interdiction missions over Kosovo and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, under Task Force Aviano, 5 Allied Tactical Air Force from 24 March to 10 June 1999. ^{Footnote 10}

Coalition Operation – Libya

425 Squadron was mobilized for Op MOBILE in early March 2011, arriving in Trapani, Italy on 19 March. The Squadron conducted patrols off the northern coast of Libya as part of counter-air operations. It was also part of missions targeting military operations within Libya. On 18 May, 425 was relieved by 409 Squadron, although a number of 425 pilots remained and continued to fly missions. ^{Footnote 11}