4 Regiment - History.

4th Division Aviation Regiment was formed on the 24th October 1969 from 654 Aviation Squadron in Herford, 661 Aviation Squadron in Detmold and 662 Aviation Squadron in Munster. In 1972, 662 Aviation Squadron moved to 2nd Division Aviation Regiment and 660 Aviation Squadron came under command of 4th Division Aviation Regiment.

On 1st January 1973 the Regiment was re-titled 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, the Regiment’s squadrons remaining in these locations until November 1977 when, after restructuring, the Regiment comprised the Regimental Headquarters and 661 Squadron Army Air Corps (renamed A Squadron) at Detmold and 658 Squadron Army Air Corps (B Squadron) at Minden. In 1978, following the Wide Horizon Study, the squadrons were redesignated, with 654 Squadron Army Air Corps in Detmold and 664 Squadron Army Air Corps in Minden.

During the period 1978-1983 Lynx replaced the Scout helicopters, initially in its utility role but then with the TOW Anti tank missile system.

In January 1983, as a result of the restructuring of BAOR, 664 Squadron Army Air Corps became independent, remaining at Minden as the Corps Support Squadron and 659 Squadron Army Air Corps and 669 Squadron Army Air Corps joined the Regiment following the disbandment of 9 Regiment Army Air Corps.

Thus 4 Regiment Army Air Corps now comprises Headquarters Squadron (established 1st October 1986), 654 Squadron, 659 Squadron and 669 Squadron Army Air Corps, equipped with Gazelle and Lynx aircraft and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps Workshop REME.

4 Regiment Army Air Corps saw action in the Gulf War as the Divisional Aviation Regiment, before moving to its current home of Wattisham in 1995, re-roled as one of the two Aviation Regiments; originally in 24 Airmobile Brigade. 659 Squadron Army Air Corps has been re-equipped with solely Lynx Mk 9 Light Battlefield Helicopters, whilst the other two flying Squadrons retain their anti-tank role. On 1 September 1999, 24 Airmobile Brigade changed role and became 16 Air Assault Brigade, in anticipation of the introduction of the Attack Helicopter. 4 Regiment Army Air Corps continues to play a valuable peacekeeping role in the former Yugoslavia and more recently in Iraq.