The Royal Air Force Challenge Coins
Known as the RAF, the Royal Air Force is one of the three branches of the British Armed Forces and holds the distinction as the world’s first independent Air Force. First formed near the end of World War I by combining elements from the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS,) the Royal Air Force has been charged with defending the UK and providing professional military piloting and air support for over 100 years. For over a century, the Royal Air Force has been an irreplaceable organization within the British Armed Forces, training pilots and performing missions all over the world to protect Britain and help its allies.
In honor of the selfless dedication of their pilots and servicemembers, officers within the Royal Air Force adopt a tradition first started by the U.S. military. The Royal Air Force commissions custom challenge coins, uniquely designed metal medallions struck with the official emblems and colors of the Royal Air Force, to be awarded to servicemembers and staff. These custom coins represent their membership as part of a trained military force and recognize the outstanding services of both pilots and support staff within the Royal Air Force.
Today, the Royal Air Force is a varied organization operating all over the world on missions that involve responding to threats, preventing conflict, scouting the air, delivering humanitarian aid, fighting threats in cyberspace, and working jointly with their allies. With more than 80 squadrons and the most advanced technology available, the Royal Air Force works diligently to accomplish its missions and objectives.
Challenge coins commissioned for the Royal Air Force honor their services and reflect a century of selfless dedication to queen and country. At Signature Coins, we are proud to offer our expert services to military organizations like the Royal Air Force. With a dedicated team of professional artists and designers who have been creating challenge coins for over 15 years, we provide only the highest quality products to our clients who deserve only the best.
Historical Highlights of the Royal Air Force
While the Royal Air Force was first formed near the end of World War I, World War II was a defining era for the organization in demonstrating the Royal Air Force’s importance as a key portion of British military capabilities. During the Battle of Britain in 1940, the Royal Air Force faced down a numerically superior German Luftwaffe in a summer-length air campaign. The battle is considered by historians to be the first military campaign fought entirely by military air forces and its victory for Britain is now considered absolutely vital in preventing German invasion and ultimately allowing the Allied forces to push back the Nazis to win the Second World War. Following the successful repulsion of the Luftwaffe, Winston Churchill famously declared, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
From then forth, the Royal Air Force continued to serve key roles throughout World War II, launching bombing raids against Nazi military targets and firebombing German cities. The Royal Air Force would perform its duty through countless operations over the years. During the Cold War, RAF pilots airlifted hundreds of tons of supplies to a blockaded Berlin each day over the course of the Soviet blockade on the city. In more present conflicts, the Royal Air Force was used extensively throughout the Gulf War to bomb enemy positions and maintain a no-fly zone over Iraq as part of Operation Granby.
Today, the Royal Air Force continues to participate in global operations and conflicts located all over the world to assist British allies and to defend British interests. RAF reconnaissance and support helped U.S. and French allies in operations throughout Afghanistan and later the War in Iraq.
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Challenge Coin Examples
Royal Air Force Squadron Challenge Coins
The Royal Air Force currently operates over 80 different squadrons that are trained and ready to respond and operate in a variety of different circumstances and missions. After years of close collaboration with U.S. allies, many squadrons within the Royal Air Force have adopted the U.S. tradition of commissioning custom challenge coins to represent their specific organization and to commemorate the rich history of their organization. Challenge coins in the U.S. are designed to represent their organization and incorporate the unique symbols, insignias, mascots, and mottos of their organization. This is a tradition shared by Royal Air Force squadrons who order challenge coins bearing squadron symbols such as their badge and squadron mottos.
Notable squadrons within the Royal Air Force include:
- No. 1 Squadron RAF - World’s oldest serving air squadron and actually a member of the predecessor organization, the Royal Flying Corps. Their motto is “In Omnibus Princeps,” “First In All Things.”
- No. 1 Squadron RAF Regiment - A field squadron working with the No. 1 Squadron to protect their ground bases. Their motto is “Swift and Sudden,” highlighted by the squadron emblem of a horse-mounted chariot.
- No. 13 Squadron RAF - An active air squadron of the RAF that operates unmanned MQ-9 Reaper aerial vehicles from its base at RAF Waddington to provide aerial surveillance and unmanned drone strikes. Their squadron motto is “Adjuvamus Tuendo,” “We Assist by Watching.”
- No. 16 Squadron RAF - A training squadron with a history serving throughout World War I and World War II. Their motto is “Operta Aperta,” “Hidden Things are Revealed.”
- No. 7 Squadron RAF - The last squadron to be formed for the Royal Flying Corps before the start of World War I, the squadron has served through two World Wars, the Cold War, and Iraq. Their squadron motto is “Per Diem Per Noctem,” “By Day and by Night.”
- No. 101 Squadron RAF - Primarily operates from RAF Brize Norton, where it provides air-to-air refueling support from the Airbus Voyager. Their squadron motto is “Mens Agitat Molem,” “Mind Over Matter.”
- Queen's Colour Squadron - Charged with protecting the Queen’s Colour for the Royal Air Force and representing the Royal Air Force during parades and other major events.
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Signature Coin Services
Signature Coins takes great pride in offering our services to honorable men and women located all over the world. Our expert designs can be found representing organizations operating on land, sea, and air. Trust us to create quality products with quick turnover times.
Get started today with designing a unique challenge coin by filling out our quote form and getting your free full-color art proof. Beginning an order from us takes moments and gets you on the way towards building a completely unique item to share with all the members of a squadron or unit. At Signature Coins, we honor all of our military clients and do our utmost to carry on one of our nation’s oldest traditions. With fast service, fine detail, and consistent quality, you can rely on us to cover your needs.
A summary of our quality services include:
- Free Artwork & Design within 24 to 48 hours
- Free Unlimited Revisions on All Designs
- Free Mold & Setup for Orders Over 300
- Free Delivery in 14 days or Less Within the U.S
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