RAF Battle Honours: Operation TELIC (Post-war)

Tuesday 24th March 2020 Written Statements

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (James Heappey)]

My noble Friend the Minister in the House of Lords (the right hon. Baroness Goldie DL) has made the following written ministerial statement.

On 10 October 2017, the Minister in the House of Lords made a written ministerial statement announcing the award of battle honours to squadrons of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force, for their participation in Operation TELIC post-war consolidation and reconstruction phase during the period 1 May 2003-22 May 2011.

I am today announcing that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the award of a battle honour to one further squadron of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force for their participation in Operation TELIC post-war consolidation and reconstruction phase during the period 1 May 2003-22 May 2011.

Battle honours may be “awarded to commemorate any notable battle, action or engagement in which aircrew or Royal Air Force regiment personnel played a memorable part”. There are two levels of battle honour within the Royal Air Force. The first is the award of a battle honour which recognises that a squadron played a notable and significant role in the campaign. The second, higher level confers the right to emblazon the battle honour on the standard itself. This ultimate accolade is reserved for those squadrons which are involved in direct confrontation with an enemy and demonstrate gallantry and spirit under fire.

In addition to the 27 battle honours and eight battle honours with the right to emblazon previously approved for squadron’s participation on Operation TELIC, one further operational flying squadron has been approved for the award of a battle honour.