3 Regiment - 663 Squadron.

663 Squadron is equipped with Lynx-Tow and Gazelle, and has recently been involved in roulemont tours of Croatia (1995) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997, 1999). The Squadron deployed to the Gulf War in 2003 and participated in war fighting operations. In 2005 the Squadron saw the departure of the last Gazelle aircraft and the receipt of it's first AH 64 Apache.

History of 663 Squadron.

MOTTO: WE FLY FOR THE GUNS

Number 663 Squadron was formed on 7th September 1944 at San Basilio, Italy, as a Polish Air Observation Post Squadron. It was manned by personnel from the Polish Artillery, and later reinforced by members of the Polish Air Force sent from the United Kingdom. It became fully operational on 30th January 1945, under the command of Captain E. Pawlikowski.

The Squadron was disbanded in October 1946, to be reformed as Number 663 Squadron (Air Observation Post) Royal Auxiliary Air Force three years later. At this time, the Squadron was equipped with Tiger Moths and Austers.

In July 1951, King George VI gave authority for the Squadron badge; a Polish Eagle displayed holding a snaffle bit, to indicate the control exercised over the Artillery formation for which the Squadron operated. Hence the motto "We fly for the guns".

The Squadron was disbanded along with the rest of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, in March 1957, having built a reputation as the most successful Air Observation Post Squadron in the country.

663 Aviation Squadron was reformed in October 1969 in support of 5 Infantry Brigade based at Netheravon. On 1 January 1973, it was renamed 663 Squadron Army Air Corps. The Squadron served roulemont tours of Northern Ireland in 1972, 1973 and 1975, with tours in Belize in 1976 and 1977.

The Squadron was once again disbanded in July 1977, when the RHQ of 3 Regiment moved to Soest, assuming command of 660 and 654 Squadrons, supporting 3 Armoured Division as part of the British Army of the Rhine.

On the 1st April 1978, following a restructuring of Army Air Squadrons, 660 Squadron was redesignated as 663 Squadron, part of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps. The Regiment moved to its current home at Wattisham Airfield, in Suffolk in 1993.

Today, the Squadron is equipped with Lynx-Tow and Gazelle, and has recently been involved in roulemont tours of Croatia (1995) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (1997, 1999). The Squadron deployed to the Gulf War in 2003 and participated in war fighting operations. After the war, the Squadron took part in the Stabilisation Operations. To read an account of these, click here.

In 2005 the Squadron saw the departure of the last Gazelle aircraft and the receipt of it's first AH 64 Apache. The proud history of the Sqn today continues and 663 Squadron maintains it's continuing commitments to 16 Air Assault Brigade.