More Detail: St Andrews | Aberdeen

Although, Aberdeen Dundee and St Andrews Universities’ Air Squadron was not formed until 1981, University Air Squadrons (UASs) existed at the constituent universities from the 1940s.

Aberdeen University Air Squadron came into being in 1941 at Marischal College, Aberdeen and conducted flying from Dyce until 10 December 1980 when the increased North Sea oil-related air traffic necessitated the transfer of UAS flying operations to RAF Leuchars. The Town Headquarters remained in Aberdeen until its closure in May 1993 when the Squadron’s administrative support was moved to RAF Leuchars.

Formed in 1942, St Andrews University Air Squadron recruited from The University of St Andrews and Queen’s College Dundee, the latter becoming Dundee University in 1967. On 1 January 1969 St Andrews UAS was absorbed into the newly formed East Lowlands Universities’ Air Squadron, operating from RAF Turnhouse. On 3 October 1981 it was separated from East Lowlands UAS and amalgamated with Aberdeen UAS to form Aberdeen Dundee and St Andrews UAS (ADStAUAS) at RAF Leuchars.

History compiled by Officer Cadet J A Normington