The Royal Air Force’s 111(F) Squadron is returning to Malta tomorrow after an absence of 65 years, with four Tornado F3 aircraft.

The squadron served in Malta during the war and that connection will be renewed with a flypast over the War Memorial in Floriana during the Remembrance Day commemoration on Sunday morning.

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

The Squadron has another link with Malta, in that one of its former commanding officers between 1927 and 1929 was Sir Keith Park, who became Air Officer Commanding Malta towards the end of the siege between 1941 and 1942. He was also famous for his role in the Battle of Britain. A campaign is underway in London to erect a monument in his honour.

One of the Tornado aircraft coming to Malta 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 formed Malta’s first air defence. The eight-pointed Maltese cross is featured on the fins of the aircraft.

The fly-past will take place at around 11 a.m.