No. 5131 (Bomb Disposal) Squadron, formerly based at RAF Wittering, held the unique distinction of being the Royal Air Force's only specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squadron until its disbandment in 2020. The unit was the service's primary authority on air-dropped weapons, tasked with the high-risk mission of neutralizing unexploded bombs, clearing active ranges, and dealing with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in hostile environments. Formed in 1943 to cope with the vast quantities of unexploded ordnance (UXO) across Europe, the squadron later played a crucial role in the Falklands War and the Gulf War, as well as clearing legacy munitions from RAF sites in the UK. Its badge featured a mailed gauntlet grasping a flash of lightning—symbolizing the safe handling of explosive power—accompanied by the motto Sursum Corda ("Lift up your hearts").
