c2015 Royal Air Force 'Fox' 47 Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF) Special Forces (SF) Flight Badge Patch

Flying suit patch aircrew 47 Sqn S.F. subdued badge disbanded 2023. VGC.


C-130J (1999–2023)
No. 47 Squadron received its first Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules on 21 November 1999.

The squadron was subsequently heavily involved in Operation Telic in Iraq in the 2000s and then in Operation Ellamy in Libya in 2011. The squadron moved to RAF Brize Norton in 2011.

On 25 August 2017, Hercules C4 ZH873, operated by the squadron, was seriously damaged in flight operations during Operation Shader. In response to an issue of "crew fatigue" over this incident, the RAF approved an uplift of trained aircrews for the C-130J from 20 to 28.

In March 2020, the squadron was awarded the right to emblazon a new battle honour on its squadron standard, recognising its role in War in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014.

On 4 June 2023, No. 47 Squadron carried out the RAF's last Hercules operational flight when Hercules C4 ZH871 returned from RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, to RAF Brize Norton. On 8 June 2023, No. 47 Squadron held its disbandment parade at RAF Brize Norton, in a service led by the Princess Royal, ahead of its official stand down on 21 September 2023 due to the retirement of the Hercules. On 14 June 2023 No.47 Squadron led a three aircraft flypast round all four nations of the United Kingdom,taking in many sites linked to the history of the Hercules and 47 Squadron.37 On 23 June 2023, at a farewell party for the Hercules at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, 47 Squadron's band performed in front of a Hercules rear cargo ramp, joined by vocalist Bruce Dickinson for songs by Dickinson's band Iron Maiden.

The squadron disbanded on 21 September 2023, after the squadron standard was laid up at RAF Cranwell on 31 July 2023.

Code: 1505