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Letter from the Squadron - 2007

The Squadron was involved in a busy visits programme over the year. The Valley Aviation Society organised their annual photo shoot in the summer, Several high-ranking visitors, both Service and civilian came to the Squadron including a delegation from the Pakistan Air Force. I was accompanied by 10 QFIs to the Association Dinner at the RAF Club on 28 October. As you are aware, AVM J M M Ponsonby, AOC 22 group attended and spoke after the dinner. I also accompanied OC RAF Valley, Gp Capt A S Barmby, in a visit to India in January as part of the continuing association with the IAF.


Squadron Leader P T Millward rejoined the Squadron in the spring after a tour with 100 Squadron: he replaced Squadron Leader M J Sharp who retired from the RAF. Squadron Leader Sharp achieved the milestone of 3000 hours on 14 August 2006.


Other notable highlights were 2 Force Development Detachments undertaken by the Squadron. In May, I led the Squadron permanent staff on a Battlefield Tour to Normandy. This gave the opportunity for 35 staff to study the planning and implementation of Operation OVERLORD, visit the birthplace of 208 Squadron at Le Vert Galant (a particularly special event) and the V2 rocket sites in the Calais area. The visit to Le Vert Galant was particularly poignant, and we took the opportunity to toast Squadron Commander Bromet outside the buildings he used to establish our Squadron over 90 years ago. My staff researched and briefed members of the party at each site, analysing the events and giving their own interpretation of the lessons identified.


The second Force Development tour was to Malta and Italy. 12 instructors of 208 Squadron flew 6 Hawks to Malta via a fuelling stop in Istres, France. Squadron members visited the Malta Aviation museum located at Ta Qali airfield. The Squadron operated Meteors from here in the 1950s. After a 2-day visit we then flew to Perugia in central Italy. During this stay we visited Castiglione del Lago airfield, based on the Western coast of lake Trasimeno. 208 Squadron were based here in 1944-5 during the campaign for the Gothic line. It was at this airfield where 208 Squadron was visited by His Majesty The King. An educational and enjoyable time was had by all.


All in all this has been a busy but very successful year. You can rest assured that morale on the Squadron is very high, and that the spirit of 208 Sqn is as strong as ever. Whilst planning and seeking to improve our future performance, we continue to look back to our past to gain a contextual understanding of our place in the present. I particularly value the contributions many of you have made to our considerable historical archive over the last 12 months. As ever, you are welcome to visit the Squadron should you be passing RAF \/alley. I look forward to meeting you at the next dinner in October if not before.


- Wing Commander Gary Kelly

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