In the early 1950s, 18th and 19th Army Group Signal Regiments were formed to provide communications for Headquarters Northern Army Group (HQ NORTHAG). In 1959, 19th Army Group Signal Regiment was renamed 28th Signal Regiment (Army Group).

The Regiment was one of the five NATO signal units that formed the NORTHAG Signal Group (NSG). The role of the Regiment, together with the other NSG signal units, was to provide trunk communications for HQ NORTHAG during peacetime, transition to war and in war. 28 (BR) Signal Regiment (NORTHAG) was not part of the BAOR order of battle, but was permanently assigned to NATO under operational command of HQ NORTHAG.

As a result of 'Options for Change', and the disbandment of HQ NORTHAG on 30 June 1993, 28 (BR) Signal Regiment was reduced to squadron strength and finally disbanded on 31 December 1993. 280 (UK) Signal Squadron was officially formed on 1 January 1994, to operate in support of the new NATO Headquarters, HQ Land Forces Central Europe (LANDCENT) as part of LANDCENT Signal Group, which consisted of German, American, British, Dutch and multinational units. During the internal Force Structure review of NATO, LANDCENT formally ceased to exist on the 31 December 1998 and became the Joint Sub Regional Command Centre.

Due to the internal reorganisation within the NATO Force and Command Structures 280 (United Kingdom) Signal Squadron role changed and since the 1 of January 1999 the Squadron has been part of the Deployable Communications Module (DCM) Battalion.  The DCM Bn is based in Maastricht, Netherlands and provides deployable CIS support to the Northern Region and forms part of the Northern Region Signal Group (NRSG).  The unit is currently equipped with an Interim DCM (IDCM) based around a Communications Gateway Shelter (CGS) and a Transportable Satellite Ground Terminal (TSGT).  This enables the unit to provide Level 1 CIS support to a deployed Corps Headquarters.

280 (UK) Signal Squadron relocated to Hanger 1, Javelin Barracks, Elmpt in March 2002, to be co-located with 7 and 16 Signal Regiments.  This marked the end of nearly half a century of Royal Corps of Signals presence in St Tönis.

The Squadron changed to 628 Signal Troop on 1st December 2004 and is formally tasked for the responsibilities for the provision of Communications Information Systems services provided at Strategic Command and Regional Command, and the HQ Staff in their particular Functional Area Systems (FAS). Those CIS services include secure and insecure Voice, Data, VTC and additional FAS as required.

The Heraldic Emblem represents the historical background of our formation.

It consists of a shield in green surrounded by a border in silver and then gold. Superimposed on the green background is the Franconian Francisca Axe (formally the symbol of Northern Army Group Headquarters). The Heidelberg Lion in silver (formally the symbol of Central Army Group – now incorporated into the 1st NATO
Signal Battalion, Maastricht emblem), top right. The NATO star in blue and white is top left.