Several of the squadron’s members are in the island this week for events related to Battle of Britain Week.
They have already met with the Royal Air Force Association, while other duties will include attending a weekend memorial ceremony at the airport and meeting some of the island’s cadets.
201 Squadron master aircrew Nick Hagen, who first visited Guernsey with the squadron more than 30 years ago, said the unit visited Guernsey twice a year ever since the island returned its standard in 2021.
‘In 1939, with war on the horizon, squadrons were allocated by the UK government to different areas of the British Isles, and from that Act of Parliament 201 Squadron and Guernsey is the only affiliation still left in the RAF,’ he said.
‘The squadron disbanded for just over a decade in 2010 but since the standard was returned, we’ve visited for Liberation Day and Battle of Britain week every year.’
The squadron is based at RAF Lossiemouth, about 30km east of Inverness in Scotland, and currently has approximately 70 servicemen and women, with numbers growing year on year.
It operates the P8A Poseidon, a maritime surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft used to hunt submarines and patrol coastline.
The aircraft featured at Liberation Day, flying over St Peter Port.
The squadron also has the Privilege of Guernsey, an ancient military honour which allows it to march through the island with its standard flying, drums beating, and bayonets fixed.
Crew uniform features the Guernsey flag, which Mr Hagen said they wore with pride.
‘The affiliation with Guernsey is something that is unique to us and unique in the whole of the RAF.
‘We’re delighted to be able to have it feature on our overalls.’
Most of the visiting crew only arrived in the island yesterday, and so did not catch the air display on Wednesday evening.
However, squadron flight lieutenant Dan Wright had arrived in time, and said he was impressed by the show, as well as the number of islanders turning out for it.
‘It was great to see so many people along the seafront. I’m pleased for the organisers and the aircraft involved that the weather was OK too.’
Battle of Britain memorial service on Saturday
More Battle of Britain week events are set to take place over the weekend.
On Saturday a memorial service is being held at the Allied Aircraft Memorial at Guernsey Airport.
The short service begins at 10.45am and gives a chance to remember the 153 Allied air crew members who lost their lives in Bailiwick waters during the Second World War.
This means the airport forecourt will be closed to traffic between 10.30am and 11.15am for the service.
Then on Sunday there will be a Battle of Britain parade from Moores Hotel to Market Square at 10am, where the parade will be inspected by the Bailiff and Air Commodore Nick Lowe.
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