Number 18 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (also known as No. 18 'Burma' Squadron) operates the Boeing Chinook from RAF Odiham. Owing to its heritage as a bomber squadron, it is also known as No. 18 (B) Squadron.
Formed in 1915 as a fighter squadron, it also operated early bomber types. After reforming in 1931 it again operated a variety of biplane bombers before seeing action during the Second World War on a number of fronts with the Bristol Blenheim. Reformed again in 1953, it went on to operate jet bombers such as the English Electric Canberra and Vickers Valiant. In 1964, it started flying helicopters, firstly the Westland Wessex and from 1981 the Boeing Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.
History
First World War (1915–1919)
The squadron was formed on at RAF Northolt in London as part of the Royal Flying Corps. It arrived in France on 19 November 1915, principally equipped with the Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus, supplemented by the Airco DH.2 and Bristol Scout, and operating in the army cooperation role. thumb|left|A No. 18 Squadron [[Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2|Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, overturned by the wind at Lovieville in France during November 1916]]
By April 1916, the squadron had re-equipped with the Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2b, in which Victor Huston became a flying ace. The squadron was heavily deployed during the Battle of the Somme, where it was attached to the Cavalry Corps and trained to assist it in the event on any breakthrough,