The Date

The Event

October 1975

II(AC) Squadron (Designate) pilots begin Jaguar conversion training at RAF Lossiemouth

February/March 1976

First postings of personnel to RAF Laarbruch to form II(AC) Squadron (Designate), Jaguars

26 February 1976

Wg Cdr Sandy Wilson collected the first Jaguar GRmk1 (XZ102) from BAe Warton and delivered it to RAF Laarbruch so beginning the re-equipment of II(AC) Sqn.

30 March 1976

First "proper" II(AC) Sqn Jaguar sortie in XZ101

1 April 1976

First sortie with new recce pod.    (This was 60 years to the day when the squadron was first formed at Farnborough).
A commemorative flight was made together with the outgoing Phantom to mark the official handover - Wg Cdr Sandy Wilson flew the Jaguar; Wg Cdr "Black" Ferguson flew the Phantom.

6 April 1976

First familiarisation trip (otherwise known as a "jolly") given in the T-bird (XX843).   The priviledged passenger was the Station Commander of RAF Laarbruch, Gp Capt Tony Skingsley.

26 April 1976

First full recce sortie flown in XZ101 by Sandy Wilson.

30 November 1976

II(AC) Squadron declared to NATO their Jaguars were operational in both the reconnaissance and attack roles.

14 December 1976

First accident.  XZ102 crashed - cause, Servicing Error - pilot Bill Langworthy ejected successfully.

February 1977

First fatal accident.  XZ120 crashed during a sortie to the Nordhorn bombing range.   Pilot Doug Stein killed instantly

March 1977

First Decimomannu detachment

June 1977

717 RNoAF / II(AC) RAF - Squadron Exchange

16 June 1977

First wedding of Squadron member (Greg Thompson) to a local lass (Ruth Dernberger) - they are still together after 24 years.  Best wishes to you both.

November 1977

Belgian AF Beauvechaine / II(AC) RAF - Squadron Exchange

1 May 1978

W/C Bob Fowler took over command of II(AC) Sqn from W/C Sandy Wilson

July 1978

Best Focus, Rygge

September 1978

729 Danish AF/II(AC) RAF - Squadron Exchange

May 1979

Decimomannu APC

29 May 1979

The Salmond Trophy

June 1979

ER 1/33 FAF/II(AC) RAF - Squadron Exchange

TBD

Lots of other events to be entered when I am advised!