The Squadron was established as a
detachment (No. 1477 (Norwegian) Flight) under the
210 Squadron of the British
Royal Air Force, on 8 February 1942, by Captain
Finn Lambrechts. The squadron was located in
Woodhaven, Fife,
Scotland. On 10 May 1943, 333 Squadron was formed from this flight with
de Havilland Mosquito IIs at
RAF Leuchars and
Consolidated PBY Catalina IBs at
Woodhaven. The Mosquitoes were operated on shipping reconnaissance flights along the Norwegian coast, whilst the Catalinas carried out anti-submarine patrols to the north of Scotland. The squadron's Catalinas also operated in the 'Special Duties' role landing both personnel and supplies at points along the Norwegian coast. 2nd from right On their first mission to
Norway, the poet, and news-reporter
Nordahl Grieg was with 333 Squadron to report from the flight. This was then a secret mission. After this mission, he wrote the poem
Flagget. During the
Second World War, the missions of 333 Squadron included dangerous search-and-destroy submarine missions, patrolling, and secret missions along the Norwegian coastline, behind the German defence lines. They landed and picked up agents, illegal radios, and transmitters. They also dropped Christmas presents to the Norwegian population, and did
search and rescue missions.
Post-war After the war, the squadron returned to Norway, being based at
Fornebu, helping to rebuild the northern parts of the country, transporting people and equipment from the south to the north. The oil-activity, establishment of the Norwegian economic zone, and establishment of the coast-guard, created new demands on the squadron. They had to carry out surveillance of large sea areas, requiring new airplanes, the
Lockheed P-3 Orion. In the 1980s the squadron undertook search-and-destroy submarine missions along the coastline and in the
fjords. The
Boeing P-8 Poseidon was introduced in the summer of 2023, and the squadron was subsequently relocated to
Evenes Air Station, while the P-3 Orion was phased out. The squadron regularly does various missions, including surveillance of military maritime operations, patrolling the
economic zone, controlling fishing and resources, submarine searches, and search and rescue missions. They also take part in international missions and training. The squadron is the only one that has been active continuously since
World War II, and is part of the 133 Air Wing. ==Aircraft operated==