Squadron Command Handover 21st May 2026

Posted on by Chrisb

On 21st May 2026, Wg Cdr Rob McCartney handed over Command of No 201 'Guernsey's Own' Squadron to Wg Cdr Martin Beef Pearson.  Rob has been posted ton an Eastern European deployment for 6 months prior to taking up a post on the Air Staff in April 2027. Beef has moved from Waddington after serving as XO on 13 Sqn. The photos show a Squadron photo with Rob prior to the handover, Rob handing over to Beef, click the link for some humorous slides depicting Rob's thme in Command.  The gallery beneath shows the crew room speeches and presentations.

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Information on the 2026 Reunion 14th-16th August at Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa

Posted on by Chrisb

If you wish to attend the 2026 Reunion at Petwood Hotel Woodhall Spa and have not already seen the details and responded to Chris Birks or Joe Kennedy, please open the Commitment Letter 09 Feb link below, read the letter and return Annex A.  We already have just under 70 people attending but increasing. The Petwood is maintaining a waiting list for accommodation but you can still attend the events if unable to book into the Petwood.  Other accommodation in Woodhall Spa can be found at The Village Limit, Inn in the Village and Claremont Guest House but note there is no prearrangement for the Reunion with these hotels.

Commitment Letter 09 Feb

201 Sqn Association Website

Posted on by 201Webmaster

New Look Site Relaunch

The start of June saw the new look Association website relaunched. Hosting has been transferred to Triton TS Ltd owned by Neil White (Spud, a former Dry Man on 206 Sqn 88 - 94) and he will be co-ordinating with Jerry Flint, Joe Kennedy and Chris Birks to format the site to endeavour to make it as user friendly for Association members as possible. The site will develop over the last couple of weeks during June with the aim to have it ready for the next Association reunion.

Barry Ashby – Pipe Major

Posted on by Nomad

The time has come for me to stand down as Pipe Major, 35 years is enough for anybody. The band is in a good position right now, both in numbers and playing standards so it is a good time to go.

Our new Pipe Major is Matt King who I am sure will take the band onwards and upwards. I wish him the very best in this new role and I am looking forward to being a back rank piper with the band again.

I would like to give my utmost thanks to everyone past and present for their support whether as a playing member or in a background role. There are many folk who deserve recognition but I would like to give a special mention to Joe Dempsey who was our lead tip for many years through thick and thin and has shown total dedication to supporting the band.

I have made so many friends through the band over the years, sadly some of those are no longer with us; please would you take a moment to think of them, good men one and all.

We’re all, still, cabarfeidh

Barry

201 Squadron Operational

Posted on by Nomad

25th September 2023 was a momentous day for 201 Squadron as, once again, it became an operational frontline Squadron at the forefront of maritime activities.

201 Squadron had previously been the home of the UK Poseidon P8-A OCU, training and preparing aircrew for the rigours of frontline operations. In what could only be considered a fitting turn of events, individuals who graduated from those same OCU courses are now putting what they were taught into practice as fully operational members of 201 Squadron, conducting a wide variety of activities supporting both UK-based operations and overseas exercises.

201 Squadron stood up recently for multiple Operation Striker activations, protecting the UK seas from our potential adversaries. Squadron personnel have deployed to NAS Nordholz, Germany, to create links with German crews ahead of them receiving their own P8s. The Squadron has  also conducted its first live Search & Rescue event, supporting the challenging rescue of a transatlantic yachtsman caught out in Storm Ciaran.  In addition, and at very short notice, the Squadron deployed an aircraft and crew in support of Operation Chambray, the UK’s Eastern Mediterranean deployment in support of humanitarian efforts.

Crews from 201 Squadron are due to take part in Exercise Dynamic Manta in Sicily, and later in the year, RIMPAC in Hawaii. Both exercises will afford crews the opportunity to train alongside our NATO counterparts and to experience operating in maritime environments that present challenges rarely encountered in home waters. 201 Squadron will also attend the Guernsey Liberation Parade, honouring our close ties with the island. While the Squadron is still in its infancy, there is a healthy mix of experienced crew members and ab initio aircrew. Numbers continue to grow steadily, with a regular output of new OCU graduates from the training unit, 42 Squadron.

The Squadron is fully focused on passing on the wealth of knowledge and experience gained from the past to newer members and this, together with the outstanding capabilities of the P8-A, places 201 firmly on course to resume its rightful position as the UK’s premier maritime Squadron and, in the fulness of time, a force to be reckoned with on the worldwide stage.

12/02/2024

Help Needed

Posted on by NomadLeave a Comment on Help Needed

Hi all,

I’m in the process of rejoining the RAF Club, in part to perhaps reconnect with some old RAF colleagues.

John Leighton has kindly proposed me and I need a seconder; so if any 201 folk remain a club member please reach out and get in touch.

Thanks and hope to catch up with some old kipper mates in the near future.

Kiemon

Kiemon.stewart@yahoo.co.uk

201 Squadron to be reformed!

Posted on by Nomad

Defence Secretary announces new Maritime Patrol Aircraft squadrons

  • From: Ministry of Defence, Scotland Office
  • The Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon MP
  • Part of: Military equipment, logistics and technology
  • Published:13 July 2017

The Defence Secretary has announced the numbers of the UK’s two new Maritime Patrol Aircraft squadrons and the first commanding officer.

Nine new P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be operated by number 120 Squadron and number 201 Squadron from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.

120 Squadron was the RAF’s highest scoring anti-submarine unit in the Second World War with 14 kills. 201 Squadron can trace its origins back to the formation of No 1 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service in 1914. Wing Commander James Hanson will oversee the formation of 120 Squadron from April 2018. 201 Squadron will form in 2021.

The aircraft’s key role will be to help protect the UK’s submarine-deployed nuclear deterrent and its two new aircraft carriers.

The UK Government is investing £3 billion over the next decade in its Maritime Patrol Aircraft capability.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

Our nine new Poseidon aircraft are part of our plan to monitor and deal with increased threats to our country. They can operate at long range without refuelling and have the endurance to carry out high and low-level airborne maritime and overland surveillance for extended periods, helping keep us safe. The P-8A aircraft will allow us to work more closely with our allies, improve our surveillance coverage and will provide value for taxpayers’ money.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

Today is an important milestone in the P-8A Poseidon programme which will bring to the Royal Air Force an unrivalled maritime patrol capability. The advanced state-of-the-art sensors aboard the P-8A will provide global protection to UK, NATO and our Allies’ submarines and warships, and enhance and complement the UK’s standing search and rescue responsibilities.

It is also a great pleasure to welcome back 120 and 201 Squadrons. Both have long and distinguished records serving in the maritime role and together they will help forge the next generation Royal Air Force.

Poseidon will add to the UK’s surveillance capabilities and is designed to conduct anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, search and rescue and intelligence gathering. They can carry torpedoes and anti-shipping missiles.

As a leading members of NATO, the UK Ministry of Defence has already signed agreements with the US and Norwegian militaries to cooperate closely on operating their P-8A aircraft across the North Atlantic.

With the first aircraft due to arrive in the UK in 2020, the RAF has maintained its Maritime Patrol Aircraft skills by embedding aircrew within MPA squadrons of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA.

Poseidon will bring wider economic benefits with an additional 400+ service personnel to be located at RAF Lossiemouth, where £400m is also being invested in new support infrastructure for the aircraft.

As the Poseidon P-8A is based on the Boeing 737, it will help support several hundred direct UK jobs, and create opportunities for UK firms to bid for training and support contracts.

21/12/2017