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718 Squadron / 718 Skvadron

Having been in hibernation since 1983, 718 Squadron was re-established at Bardufoss Air Station in Tromsø on 1 November 2006 - - responsible for the Armed Forces drone service. Department's Armed Forces Centre for remote-controlled targets and flying drones for departments who shoots with anti-aircraft weapons. Drone service started in 1973 at Vigdel in Rogaland, and was transferred from Navy to Air Force in 2006. The first drone flight in Norway was in took place in Porsangerfjorden in Finnmark in 1973 in connection with the test firing of the Sea Sparrow. Flight took place when the landing vessel KNM Reinøysund. Drone Mats C was produced in Norway in 1980-81 - and still used by 718 Squadron.

The history of 718 squadron begins 15 October 1952 when the squadron will be established at Sola. Scheduled with the Vampire (1952-1954) and T-33 T-Bird (from 1953) was the task to train fresh pilots who came from flight school in the U.S. and Canada in procedures, instrument flight and operational activities in squadrons.

Besides being a school division utførste 718 Squadron a number of other tasks in the Air Force. Towing, courier flights and flight control of the navigation aids were on the program. The squadron was also engaged in research on physical stress among pilots by the U.S. National Air & Space Administration (NASA). In 1968 718 Squadron swapped out their T-33 T-Bird with modern F-5 Freedom Fighter. Since the early 1960's had 718 squadron worked closely with the Air Force bombing and firing school (LBSS). January 1969 was formalized cooperation and the two departments were merged under the name Air Force flytaktiske school (LFTS) 718 squadron. In 1980 - in conjunction with the introduction of the F-16 was LFTS moved to the back, and 718 Squadron converted to an operational fighter squadron. Phasing out the F-5 Freedom Fighter was at once begun and in 1983 the squadron disbanded.

Some 23 years after, the Squadron at Bardufoss Air Station was reactivated - this time scheduled by the remote-controlled drones. In cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) flying department also great drone with camera and video transmission. Tech Combat flight of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) carried out as well. The British-produced stord treetop Banshee was introduced in 1989. Today, 718 Squadron flying drones as targets for a wide range of weapons and calibers - and for military units at home and abroad.