to RAF Cottesmore on 7 November 1964. When the WE.177B strategic bomb became available from mid-1966, eight were issued to No. 35 Squadron at Cottesmore. These laydown bombs were specifically designed for the low-level penetration role, did not require a pre-release 'pop-up' manoeuvre, and improved the survivability of the squadron's Vulcans. Following the transfer of responsibility for the nuclear deterrent to the Royal Navy the squadron joined the Near East Strike Force at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, still equipped with eight Vulcan B2s and eight WE.177 nuclear weapons and a variety of conventional weapons. The squadron remained at Akrotiri with 9 Squadron's similarly equipped Vulcans assigned as part of the UK contribution to CENTO the Central Treaty Organisation, for use in the low-level penetration role until the end of 1974, returning to RAF Scampton in January 1975 where the squadron disbanded for the last time on 1 March 1982. See also List of Royal Air Force aircraft squadrons Notes References External links Air of Authority Squadron history page on official RAF website Weapon overview @ www.nuclear-weapons.info/vw.htm#WE.177 Carriage RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1973–74 RAF nuclear front line Order-of-Battle 1966–67 35 Squadron at the International Bomber Command Centre Digital Archive. 035 Squadron 035 Squadron Military units and formations established in 1916 1916 establishments in the United Kingdom