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To: Steven W.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._56_Squadron_RAF
Number 56 Squadron, nicknamed the Firebirds for their ability to always reappear intact regardless of the odds, is one of the oldest and most successful squadrons of the Royal Air Force, with battle honours from many of the significant air campaigns of both World War I and World War II.
During the First World War, the squadron had many aces amongst its ranks such as James McCudden, Albert Ball, Reginald Hoidge and Arthur Rhys-Davids, developing a fierce reputation for the unit. In the Second World War, they fought in the Battle of Britain, and operated as a successful fighter-bomber unit for most of the war. In the 1960s, the squadron had their own aerobatic display team, ‘The Firebirds’, which consisted of nine English Electric Lightning F.1As, which participated at many airshows. From March 1976 to July 1992, No. 56 Squadron operated the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2, flying from RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, becoming the penultimate unit to fly the type. Until 18 April 2008, the squadron was the Operational Conversion Unit for the Panavia Tornado F.3 at RAF Leuchars, Fife.
As of March 2019, the Firebirds are based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire and serve as the Air Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operational Evaluation Unit (AIR C2ISR OEU) for the RAF, a role they’ve held since 22 April 2008.[3]


1,502 posted on 06/13/2019 1:08:24 PM PDT by Cats Pajamas (Freedom or Liberty? Which would you choose?)
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To: All

Fun video tweeted by POTUS:
https://t.co/z5tSV2JLEf

“They’ve been wrong all along!” Featuring Rachel Maddow


1,504 posted on 06/13/2019 1:13:56 PM PDT by Squidpup ("Fight the Good Fight of Faith")
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