No. 1563 (Tactical Support) Flight
British Forces Belize In 1975, with
Guatemala in the grip of a
bloody civil war, there was a real fear that Guatemalan forces might invade
Belize, and at the very least widen their
Caribbean coastline. To support the resident British Army garrison, a detachment of four
Westland Puma HC.1 helicopters from
No. 230 Squadron was sent to
Belize international airport at
Ladyville in November 1975. There they set about supporting the British Army role of deterring aggression from neighbours of Belize and supporting the jungle training task, as well as providing much needed
search and rescue cover for the military and civilian population. Aircraft and crews proceeded to be deployed from
No. 33 Squadron at RAF Odiham and No. 230 Squadron, generally with a ratio of 3:1 with three of the four aircraft, (needs checking), and crews being provided by No. 33 Squadron and the fourth crew from No. 230 Squadron due to their operational / training tempo in the European theatre. Thus, under normal manning, there would be three pilots and three crewmen from No. 33 Squadron and a pilot and crewman from No. 230 Squadron. Puma helicopters of 1563 Flt were instrumental in securing diplomatic assurances for the future of Belize, after supporting Harrier aircraft of
No. 1417 Flight taking part in air shows at
La Aurora International Airport,
Guatemala City, for the 69th and 70th anniversaries of the
Guatemalan Air Force, in 1990 and 1991.
Iraq To support the Black Watch battle group, (part of UK 4 Armoured Brigade), in eastern
Iraq, 1563 (Tactical Support) Flt was re-formed at
Basrah International Airport. Flying Puma HC.1 helicopters, the flight was stood up in 2004, and disbanded again in October 2009.
Brunei The flight was re-formed in 2022 to support
British Army Jungle Warfare Training School and the
Gurkha battalion in
Brunei Darussalam. In May 2023, 1563 Flight was disestablished, being replaced by the reforming
No. 230 Squadron.
No. 606 Squadron RAF was deployed to assist the move from temporary home base in
Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba. On 1 June 2023, the flight successfully moved into their permanent home base in
Medicina Lines. A year later, Pumas from
No. 230 Squadron RAF took the place of 1563 Flight. ---- ==See also==