RAF Benbecula
Awarded: July 1990
Blazon: In front of three concentric Circles the head of a Golden Eagle proper
Link: This unit has, in allusion to its location and role chosen for its badge the head of a Golden Eagle set in front of three concentric circles and has adopted the motto Faireachail. Golden Eagles are frequently to be seen in and about Benbecula and their fighting power and keenness of vision are vital to the successful accomplishment of identifying and engaging enemy afar: Only the head of the eagle is portrayed on the badge so that the organ of sight is enhanced. The circles, or Annulets symbolise the Range Rings generated by the Radar Displays by which the unit’s principal duty is effected, maintained and perfected. The motto aptly summarises the Unit’s operational function.
Date of Issue: July 1990
Motto: Gaelic: Faireachail – Watchful or On Guard
History: RAF Station Benbecula opened on 28 April 1942 and ceased being a flying station in June 1945 when the airfield became Benbecula Airport. RAF Benbecula has continued to exist however, but without any flying units assigned. Instead, a Control and Reporting Post (CRP, a small radar station) was built at the airfield. In the late 1990s the station was converted to Remote Radar Head, the unit’s Type 92 Long Range Surveillance Radar provides long-range coverage of the North Atlantic approaches to Scotland. This data is fed into the Integrated Command and Control System within the UK and Benbecula remains current.
Sponsored by Just Wood and dedicated to all who served at RAF Benbecula.