655 Sqn

655 Squadron was first formed as an RAF Air Observation Post unit, on 30 November 1942, at Old Sarum Airfield, Wiltshire. The Squadron immediately deployed to North Africa, in support of the 8th Army, and subsequently moved on to Italy. 655 remained in Italy, supporting various formations, until their disbandment at Ronchi on 31 August 1945.

On 1 April 1962, 655 Sqn AAC reformed as an Army Air Corps Light Aircraft Squadron in Hildesheim, Germany, operating the Alouette. From 1964 -1969, the squadron's role was as 4 Div's Aviation Headquarters, based at Herford. It then moved to Detmold, where it remained until 1 Apr 1978 when it was renamed as 659 Squadron. The quadron then 're-appeared' in Topcliffe, on the same day, by the re-titling of 666 Squadron there. In 1979, the squadron moved to Omagh in Northern Ireland where they carried out anti-terrorist duties in support of 3 Brigade.

In the summer of 1982, the squadron moved to Ballykelly, and the Scout aircraft were replaced by Lynx. The Scout was robust, however the Lynx was modern, faster and with greater endurance.

The squadron then moved to Aldergrove, in the summer of 1991, where they became part of 5 Reg, co-located with the rest of the Northern Ireland Regiment, AAC. 655 Squadron was disbanded there in April 2007.

On 2 July 2006, 6 Regiment Army Air Corps was formed at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. The regiment's role is to provide groundcrew individual reinforcements to army aviation units for exercises and operational deployment.

In April 2009, 655 Sqn joined 6 Regt AAC (V) and became 655 (The Scottish Horse) Squadron AAC (Volunteers). 655 was based at Middle Wallop, as a sub unit of 6 Reg covering the south and south west area. The role of 655 Sqn AAC (V) was to deliver Attack Helicopter (Apache) and Light Utility Helicopter (Lynx) trained groundcrew for individual reinforcements who are able to deploy on operations and in support of exercises in order to meet designated military tasks. These are trained in the loading of missiles, rockets and the refuelling of the aircraft in various locations around the world as part of the Forward Arming and Refuelling Point. The Army Reserve only recruits groundcrew and support elements. 655 Squadron disbanded on 1st April 2014 and became 679 SQN based in Portsmouth and Middle Wallop.

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