THE ASSOCIATION
The Company and 622 Squadron RAuxAF entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on
18 February 2018 with the aim of:
(i) promoting and contributing to the standing and interests of the Company and the Squadron by all appropriate means; and
(ii) providing such mutual assistance and support for the Company and the Squadron as may be desirable and practicable.
The individuals involved in the day-to-day running of the association are:
Officer Commanding 622 Squadron RAuxAF: Wg Cdr Rosh O’Brien
Liaison Officer 622 Squadron RAuxAF: Sqn Ldr Nat Winsor
Company Liaison Officer: Court Assistant David Millington
HISTORY OF 622 SQUADRON RAuxAF
World War II
622 Squadron was first formed at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk on 10 August 1943, when it was equipped with Stirling Mk III bombers as part of 3 Group in Bomber Command. It was re-equipped with Lancaster Mk III bombers in December 1943, after briefly operating Lancaster Mk I bombers during that month. The Squadron operated in Bomber Command’s Main Force as part of No 3 Group until April 1945 when it moved to humanitarian duties, dropping food to the Dutch (Operation Manna), repatriating POWs (Operation Exodus), and ferrying troops home from Italy. The Squadron was disbanded at Mildenhall on 15 August 1945.
1950 to 1953
Unlike many of its contemporaries, 622 Squadron was re-formed on 15 December 1950 as a Royal Auxiliary Air Force transport squadron at RAF Blackbushe. It operated Valettas, and consisted of a nucleus of regular pilots and Radio Officers drawn from the local firm Airwork Ltd. This proved to be a success, with the Squadron going on to operate in the Suez conflict. The Squadron was, however, disbanded again on 30 September 1953 due to cost. The CO at the time was the famous Wing Commander Bob McIntosh (known as ‘All-Weather Mac’) who had been the Chief Pilot of Airwork Ltd. The crews had two weeks a year extra training at RAF Dishforth where two of its Radio Officers, P/O Abrahams and P/O Jellett, achieved the rare RAF VIP standard.
Current Role
One again re-formed in 1994, initially as 1359 Flight RAF, the Squadron was attached to a Hercules OCU (Operational Conversion Unit) based at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire for a 3-year trial period. After the success of the trial, its role expanded over the years to provide aircrews to all air transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft of the RAF. The Squadron moved to RAF Brize Norton in 2011 and, on 1 October 2012, in recognition of its continued work with the main squadrons, the flight was authorised by the Standing Committee of the Royal Air Force to be rebadged as 622 (Reserve Aircrew) Squadron.
Click this link to see 622 Squadron’s website.
COMPANY VISITS TO 622 SQUADRON AT RAF BRIZE NORTON
Click this link to see reports and photos from recent Company visits.
THE ‘BLONDIE SWALES’ AWARD
Every year, at its autumn Installation Dinner, the Company makes an award to a member of 622 Squadron to recognise their outstanding service. The award is named after a former CO of 622 Squadron, Wg Cdr Ian ‘Blondie’ Swales – an exceptional WW2 pilot who earned the Distinguished Service Order, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Medal.
All Squadron personnel who receive the ‘Blondie Swales’ award have their names engraved on a plaque attached to the ‘Squadron Silver’, which the Company helped commission in 2020.
Click this link to read about the recipient of the 2025 Blondie Swales Award.