| Unit Name: | No. 278 Squadron RAF |
| Dates: | 1 October 1941 – 15 October 1945 |
| Branch: | Royal Air Force |
| Garrison Label: | Base |
| Motto: | Latin Ex mare ad referiendum (From out of the sea to strike again) |
| Colors Label: | post 1950 aircraft insignia |
| Identification Symbol: | A seagull in front of a lifebelt |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Squadron Badge |
| Identification Symbol 2: | MY (October 1942 – October 1945) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Squadron Code |
No. 278 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron formed as an air-sea rescue unit in World War II.
The squadron formed at RAF Matlaske on 22 December 1941 equipped with the Lysander, Walrus and then the Anson. Spitfires were then supplied for spotting downed aircrew. The area of operations of the squadron was the coast of East Anglia and North East England. There were also detachments in Scotland.
The Warwick was operated from April 1944 and the Sea Otter from May 1945. The squadron was disbanded at Thorney Island on 15 October 1945.
| Oct 1941 | Feb 1943 | IIIA | ||
| Feb 1943 | May 1944 | I | ||
| Apr 1944 | May 1944 | IIA | ||
| Apr 1944 | Jan 1945 | I | ||
| May 1944 | Feb 1945 | Supermarine Spitfire | VB | |
| May 1945 | Oct 1945 | II |