494 (Stansted Airport) Squadron was first born as 1096 (Stansted Airport) Detached Flight of 1096 (Bishop’s Stortford) Squadron on August 17th 1992. Stansted Airport Detached Flight, at the time commanded by Pilot Officer Dudley Baker, was a small unit of under 30 cadets and therefore deemed unsuitable for full Squadron status. Over the course of the next five years this became a great motivator empowering and uniting both staff and cadets with the single goal of achieving full Squadron status.

The unit moved from strength to strength and in 1993 the unit participated in the Lees Trophy Competition, finishing first at Wing and Region level and finally being judged third overall in the Corps, an amazing achievement for a newly formed DF. In 1994 Flying Officer Baker handed over to Flying Officer Rob Brown who was supported by a dynamic management team of Pilot Officer Ollie Kirby and Warrant Officer Adrian Jones. From 1994 to 1996 the unit achieved a formidable reputation for sporting success with cadets representing the ATC at all levels from Wing to Corps. In 1996 and 1996 the unit competed as a DF in the Wing’s annual Falklands Memorial Trophy, achieving third place and going on to represent the Corps at the Tri-Service Falklands Shield.

After many years of hardwork 1096 (Stansted Airport) Detached Flight became 494 (Stansted Airport) Squadron under the command of Flight Lieutenant Rob Brown. This was a culmination of 5 years of hardwork and is a credit to the effort, professionalism and commitment of the staff and cadets of 494 Sqn. A young Flight Lieutenant Ollie Kirby replaced Flight Lieutenant Rob Brown shortly after Sqn formation.

From 1998 to 2003 494 Sqn developed a fearsome reputation for competition, regularly winning Wing events in Adventure Training and Sports. In 2003 Flight Lieutenant Kirby moved to neighboring 158 (Braintree & District) Sqn with Flight Lieutenant John Pym assuming acting command.

April 2006 saw the ex-cadet and reservist officer Flight Lieutenant Rob Hall take command with a core team of 2 NCO’s and 5 Civilian Instructors. Since the change of command cadet numbers at 494 Sqn have seen a massive increase with the unit experiencing a new lease of life. A probationer intake of 11 has seen numbers rocket to over 35 with strategic plans for 44 cadets by middle 2007.