No. 5 Squadron
Raytheon Production Sentinel R1
Information
Role	Reconnaissance (ASTOR)
Aircraft Operated	Raytheon Sentinel
Home Station	RAF Waddington
Motto	"Frangas non flectas (Thou mayst break but shall not bend me)"
History
Date Founded	26 July 1913
Badge	A Maple leaf
Notable Battle Honours	Mons, Ypres 1915, Loos, Arras, Somme 1918, Amiens, Arakan 1942-1944, Burma 1944-1945

No. 5 Squadron of the Royal Air Force is the operator of the new Sentinel R1 (ASTOR) aircraft and is based at RAF Waddington.

The radar equipped aircraft provides battlefield and ground surveillance in a similar role to the American JSTARS aircraft.

The first production Sentinel R1 made its 4.4 hour maiden flight on May 26, 2004. The initial operating capability will be achieved in 2005.

Until 2003, the squadron flew the Tornado F3 and with this aircraft it was the first RAF squadron (accompanied by No. 29 Squadron) to be deployed as part the UK's contribution to the Gulf War.

See also

• List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons