It was the middle of the 1970s when number 208 Squadron RAF reformed with Buccaneer aircraft based at RAF Honington in Suffolk. As a frontline squadron, 208 Sqn was given a variety of tasks, flying in Germany, Scandinavia and elsewhere, to be ready to carry out ground attack missions and also to be ready to strike the enemy with nuclear weapons if required.
Red Flag was the name given to the biggest air-war exercise developed by the United States Air Force to enable fighter and fast-jet aircrews to survive and flourish in combat operations.
In 1977, 208 Sqn was chosen to be the first to represent the RAF on this exercise, and Sqn Ldr Stuart Ager, with his navigator David Wilby, led the first flight of 4 aircraft to land at Nellis Air Base (near Las Vegas). Over the next two weeks, the USAF found the Buccaneers and their aircrew to be formidable opponents.
Join us in the Museum to hear Stuart take us through his times flying the Buccaneer on 208, 237 OCU, XV and 16 Sqns and his participation in no less than 6 Red Flag wargames.
The content of talks are based on the research and views of the guest speakers.
The Museum is an independent charity and all proceeds from this event go towards supporting the work we do in preserving the history of British Army aviation.