Once again "Bravely Into Action"

On 21 September 2023, the Royal Air Force reformed 42 (Torpedo Bomber) squadron at RAF Lossiemouth. The squadron will act as the Poseidon MRA1 Operational Conversion Unit, and once delivered also for the Wedgetail AEW1.

This squadron was first activated on 1 April 1916. "Fortiter In Re" is their motto, which translates into "Bravely Into Action". The motto was made true immediately during the First World War, during which the squadron saw action as reconnaissance unit both at the Western Front and the Austro-Italian Front. It was deactivated at RAF Netheravon upon return to Great Britain on 26 June 1919.

B Flight of 22 squadron was redesignated 42 squadron on 14 December 1936, and throughout the Second World War the squadron was once again in the thick of the battle. This time as bomber squadron in Europe and Asia. But once again the squadron was disbanded following the end of hostilities, this time on 30 December 1945.

After the war, the unit entered the world of maritime patrol duties, hence the designation "Torpedo Bomber" squadron. First under Coastal Command for a short period of time: 1 October 1946 until 15 October 1947. At RAF St.Eval, 42(TB)sq was again activated on 28 June 1952 and equipped with Shackleton MR1 aircraft. In 1971, the Shackleton was replaced by the Nimrod MR1 (later upgraded to MR2 standard). Equipped with this aircraft the squadron saw action during the Falklands War (1982) and the Gulf War (1991).

The role of the squadron changed in October 1992, when it was re-designated as 42 (Reserve) squadron under the Nimrod Operational Converion Unit (236 OCU). This period came to an end when the squadron was once again deactivated on 26 May 2011. On this day S/L Roxburgh performed the last Nimrod sortie for 42 squadron. It was only fitting that the same pilot flew the first 42(TB)sq Poseidon sortie on 26 September 2023.

Credit photo: Ian Watson (Scramble Archive)