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A QCS sentry relieves a Coldstream Guards sentry at the Tower of London

The Queen's Colour Squadron is a unit of the RAF Regiment. It is a dual operational/ceremonial unit; in its operational role, it is a field squadron responsible for the defence of RAF and other assets on the ground from enemy forces. In its ceremonial role, the squadron is responsible for representing the Royal Air Force at various significant occasions. The unit has mounted the guard at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and The Tower of London on several occasions, to a standard as high as those of the Guards and the Gurkhas.

No 63 Squadron was formed as a light anti-aircraft squadron in 1943, a role it served in for the duration of the Second World War. In 1946, while serving in Berlin, the squadron's role was changed, becoming a field squadron. It remained in this role until 1972, when it was planned to become the first RAF Regiment squadron to be equipped with the Rapier SAM, returning to the air defence role. Two unexpected tours in Northern Ireland meant that it was 1974 before the squadron converted. Following this, it was deployed in RAF Germany until 1992, when, with the gradual withdrawal of the RAF from Europe, the squadron was disbanded.

In 1960, the RAF Drill Unit was charged with the task of guarding and escorting the Queen's Colour of the Royal Air Force, being given the name Queen's Colour Squadron. It was a pure ceremonial unit for 30 years, providing the sole escort to the colour, and famed for its displays of drill, which are performed without a single word of command. However, the Options for Change reforms led to the squadron being given an operational role as a field squadron in addition to its ceremonial role. For this, it was given the number plate of No 63 Squadron, being renamed The Queen's Colour Squadron (No 63 Squadron RAF Regiment).

• RAF Regiment
• Queen's Guard
• Changing of the Guard

• Queen's Colour Squadron Official Site