No. 5 Squadron RAF
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| No. 5 Squadron | ||
|---|---|---|
 Raytheon Production Sentinel R1 | ||
| Information | ||
| Role | Reconnaissance (ASTOR) | |
| Aircraft Operated | Raytheon Sentinel | |
| Home Station | RAF Waddington | |
| Motto | "Frangas non flectas (Thou mayst break but shall not bend me)" | |
| History | ||
| Date Founded | 26 July 1913 | |
| Badge | A Maple leaf | |
| Notable Battle Honours | Mons, Ypres 1915, Loos, Arras, Somme 1918, Amiens, Arakan 1942-1944, Burma 1944-1945 | |
No. 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 (ASTOR) aircraft and is based at RAF Waddington.
Current Role
The radar equipped aircraft provides battlefield and ground surveillance in a similar role to the American JSTARS aircraft.
The first production Sentinel R1 made its 4.4 hour maiden flight on May 26 2004. The initial operating capability will be achieved in 2005.
History
Until 2003, the squadron flew the Tornado F3 and with this aircraft it was the first RAF squadron (accompanied by No. 29 Squadron) to be deployed as part the UK's contribution to the Gulf War.