1967, continuing to fly in the army support and Search and Rescue roles until being disbanded on 1 December 1971. Helicopter operations (1986–2014) The Squadron reformed on 22 May 1986 when No. 1310 Flight, operating Boeing Chinooks, and the Westland Sea King HAR.3 equipped No. 1564 Flight merged at RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands. From 1988, No. 78 Squadron was based in the Falkland Islands. The squadron operated Westland Sea King HAR.3 and Chinook HC2s. In December 2007, No. 78 Squadron reverted to its previous identity of No. 1564 Flight and a new No. 78 Squadron stood-up at RAF Benson as part of the Joint Helicopter Command on 28 January 2008, flying the AgustaWestland Merlin HC3 and six new Merlin HC3A helicopters purchased from Denmark. The squadron shared the total fleet of twenty eight RAF Merlin helicopters with No. 28 (AC) Squadron, also based at RAF Benson. Following the transfer of the squadron's Merlins to 846 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, No. 78 Squadron was disbanded on 30 September 2014. On 24 March 2020, the squadron was awarded a battle honour, recognising its role in the War in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. Military air traffic control (2021 – present) The squadron number plate was allocated to RAF (Unit) Swanwick during early 2021. The unit is embedded in the civilian London Area Control Centre, based at Swanwick in Hampshire and provides a military air traffic control service across the UK. Aircraft operated 1916–1917 Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2c and BE.2e 1916–1918 Royal Aircraft Factory BE.12 and BE.12a 1917-1917 Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a 1917–1918 Sopwith 1½ Strutter 1917-1917 Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2d 1917–1918 Royal Aircraft Factory BE.12b 1918–1919 Sopwith Camel 1918–1919 Sopwith Snipe 1936–1937 Handley Page Heyford III 1937–1939 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley I 1939–1940 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley IVA 1939–1942 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V 1942–1944 Handley Page Halifax II 1944–1945 Handley Page Halifax III 1945-1945 Handley Page Halifax IV 1945–1950 Douglas Dakota 1950–1954 Vickers Valetta C1 1956–1959 Scottish Aviation Pioneer CC1 1958–1965 Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer CC1 1965–1971 Westland Wessex HC2 1986–2006 Boeing Chinook HC2 1986–2007 Westland Sea King HAR3 2007–2014 AgustaWestland Merlin HC3/HC3A See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Military of the Falkland Islands References Sources Ashworth, Chris. Encyclopedia of Modern Royal Air Force Squadrons. Wellingborough, UK: Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. . Jefford, C.G. RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive Record of the Movement and Equipment