History
Second World War
The wing was active from 1 December 1944 to 31 October 1945 as a tactical wing, part of No. 224 Group RAF, Third Tactical Air Force.[1] It was formed at Chittagong Airfield from RAF HQ Patenga. In December 1944, it was temporarily at Comilla with No. 67 Squadron RAF (Supermarine Spitfire);[2]
In May 1945, the wing provided close support to ground forces as they recaptured Rangoon before being redeployed to attack concentrations of Japanese forces remaining in Burma. On 12 September, No. 903 Wing was stationed at Kallang, the old civil airport of Singapore City when Lord Louis Mountbatten accepted the formal surrender of all Japanese forces in south-east Asia. It included No. 31 Squadron RAF (Douglas Dakota).[3] On 31 October 1945, No 903 Wing was disbanded, becoming Station Headquarters Kallang.
Operation Telic
| 903 EAW Badge (2018) | |
|---|---|
 https://twitter.com/BattleBackGolf/status/989938521342464001/photo/1 |
The wing was re-commissioned into service during 2003, and sent to Contingency Operating Base Basra as part of Operation Telic.[1]
The wing stayed at Basra until May 2009.[1]
Operation Herrick
During mid-2009, the wing was moved to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick.[1] It consisted of:
- Westland Sea Kings operated by 845,[4] 846,[5] 854[6] & 857 Naval Air Squadrons.[7]
- An RAF Force Protection Wing
- Thales Watchkeeper WK450s operated by 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery[8] and 47th Regiment Royal Artillery.[9]
It also supported the following:
- Joint Helicopter Force (Afghanistan) that consisted of:
- AgustaWestland Apaches operated by 3[10] and 4 Regiments Army Air Corps.[11]
- Chinooks operated by No. 1310 Flight RAF.[12]
- Merlin HC2s operated by 28(AC) and 78 Squadrons RAF.
- Elements of Tactical Supply Wing.
- Visiting Air Mobility aircraft including:
- Airbus Voyager KC2 and KC3 operated by No. 10 Squadron RAF[13] and 101 Squadron RAF.[14]
- Lockhead TriStars aircraft operated by 216 Squadron RAF.[15]
- Boeing C-17A Globemaster IIIs operated by No. 99 Squadron RAF.[16]
- Hercules C-130Js operated by 24,[17] 30,[18] 47[19] & 70 Squadrons RAF.[20]
Camp Bastion was transferred to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) when the United Kingdom withdrew from Afghanistan, and 903 EAW was stood down in November 2014.[21]
