Updated: RAF Squad back in Malta

(Video added)

The Royal Air Force’s 111(F) Squadron returned to Malta this afternoon with four Tornado F3 aircraft after an absence of 65 years.

The squadron served in Malta during the war and that connection is being renewed with a flypast over the War Memorial in Floriana during the Remembrance Day commemoration on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

Another connection is through one of the aircraft’s pilots - Flight Lieutenant Luke Gili-Ross, grandson of Norbert Gili-Ross, a Maltese national who served as a ground crew member helping to keep the aircraft flying during the defence of Malta.

One of the Tornado aircraft which arrived this afternoon forms part of 1435 Flight, which was formed in Malta during the war. The flight has also kept its links with Malta and three of its aircraft are called ‘Faith’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Charity’ after the Gladiator aircraft which constituted Malta’s first air defence. The eight-pointed Maltese cross is featured on the fins of the aircraft.

111(F) Squadron is currently based at RAF Leuchars in Scotland. While in Malta in 1943 it was equipped with Spitfires and took part in the Allied invasion of Sicily during ‘Operation Husky’.