No. 505 (Wessex) Squadron RAuxAF explained

Unit Name:	No. 505 (Wessex) Squadron RAuxAF
Dates:	2015–Present
Country:	United Kingdom
Type:	General support
Role:	To provide general support to the wider RAF
Size:	Squadron
Command Structure:	No. 2 Group RAF
Garrison:	RAF St Mawgan
Website:	505 Squadron RAuxAF

No. 505 (Wessex) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) is a general support squadron of the Royal Air Force's reserve component, the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Formation

A squadron code had been allocated for 505 Squadron in the run up to the Second World War but it was never formed.

No. 505 (Wessex) Squadron was formed in June 2015 as the only RAF reserve squadron in South West England based at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall. The last reserve squadron based in the South-West was No. 2625 (County of Cornwall) Squadron RAuxAF which disbanded in 2016.^[1] The squadron's formation was highlighted in the 'Future Reserves 2020 paper' announced in 2013, which would see the RAuxAF expand its trained strength by around 1,800.^{[2] [3]}

In 2016, the squadron began recruiting, which by this time had become the newest reserve unit in the RAuxAF alongside another seven new squadrons being formed across the UK.^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Role

The squadron's current role is as a general support squadron to deploy reservists to support the RAF at home and worldwide. Sitting under No. 2 Group RAF, the squadron is the only unit directly subordinated to the group. According to a FOI(A) request responded to on 8 June 2021, the squadron has shifted to No. 1 Group.^[9]

The squadron's first commanding officer was Squadron Leader David Mann.^[10]

Footnotes

1. Web site: RAF Reserves recruiting again as 505 Squadron moves into St Mawgan . 2021-01-13. en-GB.
2. Future Reserves 2020 paper, p. 17.
3. Web site: White Paper FR20 and Defence Reform Act . 2021-01-13. en-GB.
4. Web site: @505Sqn is the new Reserve Sqn @RAFStMawgan weekends couldn't get more exciting, it's what you've been waiting for Smiling face with smiling eyes. 13 January 2021. Twitter.
5. Web site: Rebecca Ricks. 5 December 2018. Countess Of Wessex Makes First Visit To 505 Squadron. 2021-01-13. Forces Network. en.
6. Web site: Royal Air Force Regular & Reserve 505 (Wessex) Squadron. 13 January 2021. Plymouth and Cornwall Wing Air Cadets.
7. Web site: RAF Reserve recruiting again as 505 Squadron moves into RAF St Mawgan. 13 January 2021. Plymouth and Cornwall Air Wing Air Cadets.
8. Web site: Barwy jednostek - RAF. 2021-01-13. www.jednostki-wojskowe.pl. pl.
9. Web site: 8 June 2021. FOI(A) regarding current RAF Reserve and RAuxAF Squadrons. 8 June 2021. What do they know?.
10. Web site: RAF Reservists being recruited in Cornwall. 2021-01-13. Falmouth Packet. en.

References

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