609 (West Riding) Squadron (Royal) Auxiliary Air Force
In 1924 the formation of the Auxiliary Air Force was announced, creating a force that would supplement the regular RAF in time of war. The AAF comprised a number of squadrons whose members would train at weekends and in the evenings and - if the need arose - would fight together. In contrast, members of the RAF Volunteer Reserve would be posted to fill gaps in squadrons, either when new units were formed or to replace casualties.
The AAF's squadrons recruited from local areas, and 609 was formed in February 1936 at Yeadon - now Leeds Bradford airport. It was one of three AAF squadrons based in Yorkshire, the others being 608 (North Riding) and 616 (South Yorkshire). Although 609 was originally formed as a bomber unit, in December 1938 it was transferred to Fighter Command, although it did not receive its first fighters until August 1939.
The squadron's first victory came in February 1940, when a Heinkel He 111 was shot down after attacking a convoy off the East Coast. In May 1940 the squadron moved south to Northolt and took part in defending the ships defending the evacuation from Dunkirk. With the start of the Battle of Britain in July the squadron was moved west to Middle Wallop in Hampshire, defending ports on the south coast and the Vickers aircraft factories at Brooklands and Southampton.
Early in 1941 the squadron moved to Biggin Hill and moved onto the offensive, with many fighter sweeps and bomber escort missions over northern France. This period lasted until November, when 609 moved north. Returning to operations in March the squadron began to re-equip with the Hawker Typhoon, which was beset with many teething troubles. Action was rare until a move to Manston in November 1941 enabled 609 to undertake day and night intruder operations, attacking ground targets.
At the start of 1944 609 began using rocket projectiles, attacking enemy transport and radar stations in preparation for the Allied invasion. It continued to play a major role in the 2nd Tactical Air Force for the rest of the war, advancing through France and Belgium and into Germany where it disbanded in September 1945.
The squadron re-formed at Yeadon in May 1946 as a night-fighter unit with Mosquitoes, but resumed its day-fighter role in 1948, flying Spitfires. A move to Church Fenton, near York, in 1950 was followed by conversion to jet aircraft - after a short period with Vampires 609 was re-equipped with Gloster Meteors. In January 1957 the Air Ministry announced that the flying squadrons of the Royal Auxiliary air Force would be disbanded as an economy measure; 609's disbandment parade was held at Church Fenton on 4 March.
On 1 October 1999 the Air Defence Support Squadron based at RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire was re-named No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron. Its current role is to provide trained personnel to augment and support the Royal Air Force during operations, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, during times of crisis and war. Additionally, during peacetime, Squadron personnel may be tasked with operations in support of major exercises.
Members of the squadron are either RAF Regiment Gunners or Force Protection (FP) Specialists. Personnel are trained in all aspects of FP matters and are an integral part of No 2 FP Wing together with their regular counterparts. Recruits are normally taken from a 50-mile catchment area, but consideration is given to applicants from further afield. 609 is the only RAuxAF unit in the North of England and personnel are drawn from the conurbations of the Northeast and Yorkshire, parts of Cumbria and also Lancashire.
There are no aircraft today but the spirit of those wartime days lives on in the present Squadron. As one of the most famous, if not the most famous of Auxiliary Squadrons, there is a proud tradition to live up to and today's personnel relish this challenge with enthusiasm.
www.raf.mod.uk/rafleeming/aboutus/609squadron.cfm
www.609wrsquadron.co.uk
