Formed at South Farnborough in 1917, 101 Squadron immediately saw action flying FE.2’s to bomb at night on the western front over Ypres and the Somme. During World War II they were part of Bomber Command flying the Blenheim, Wellington and finally the Lancaster. Carry on their bombing role at 101 Squadron became the RAF’s first jet bomber squadron at Binbrook when it received the Canberra in 1951, replacing the Lincoln. Action was seen at Malaya and Suez before operating the Vulcan at Finningley and later Waddington. Perpetuating involvement in bombing in every major war, the Vulcan’s of 101 Squadron flew the famous ‘Black Buck’ missions on the Falkland Islands in 1982. In 1984 the Squadron were given the Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) role with the VC-10 with its sister squadron 10 Squadron, eventually flying missions over Kosovo in both Gulf Wars.

Since 10 Squadron disbanded in October 2005, 101 Squadron took charge of all the RAF's VC-10's, adding ten C.1K variants to their own seven K.3 or K.4 variants. However since the merger the fleet has been reduced to ten C.1K's, four K.3's and just two K.4's.

Left: 101 Squadron emblem and Mission statement "To Provide World Wide Combat Ready Air-To-Air Refuelling and Air-Transport Capability" outside the 101 Squadron buildings at Brize Norton.

VC-10 C.1K (XV105) involved with Air to Air Refuelling as part of TLP 2004-4 exercise, in September 2004.

VC-10 C.1K (XV106) in July 2004.