No. 669 Squadron AAC

No. 669 Squadron RAF was formed on 16 November 1944 at Bikram, Patna, British India[2] as a glider squadron, with the intention of being used for airborne operations by South East Asia Command. However, after a short period it was redesignated No. 671 Squadron RAF, due to an earlier mix-up of squadron designations and bases.[2] The squadron was reformed anew the next day, with the same role and at the right base, and continued to train, as part of No. 343 Wing RAF, until the surrender of Japan, when it became surplus to requirements. The squadron was disbanded on 10 November 1945 at Fatehjang, British India.[2]

The squadron was reformed as part of the British Army's Army Air Corps as 669 Aviation Squadron at RAF Wildenrath under the control of No. 1 Wing AAC operating de Havilland Canada Beaver AL.1s and Westland Scout AH.1s. The squadron was renamed to 669 Squadron AAC on 1 January 1973 and was deployed to Northern Ireland for various times between October 1973 and February 1976. The squadron was disbanded on 1 September 1976 and became No. 12 Flight AAC.[3]

The squadron was reformed at Hobart Barracks, Detmold, Germany on 1 April 1978, from 659 Squadron, 9 Regt operating the Scout AH.1, continuing with Northern Ireland deployments. 669 moved to AAC Wattisham during 1995 becoming part of 4 Regt and operating the Westland Lynx AH.7 and the Westland Gazelle AH.1 in the anti-tank role. The Gazelles were removed during 2007 and the squadron moved to 9 Regt.[3] Its last base was Dishforth Airfield operating the AgustaWestland Lynx AH.9A until 31 July 2016.

For 15 months until November 2016 the squadron operated as the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) Aviation Support Squadron based at Nanyuki Airfield.[4]