| 814 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | Royal Air Force 1938–1939 Royal Navy
|
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron |
| Role | Carrier-basedanti-submarine warfare (ASW) |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | RNAS Culdrose (HMSSeahawk) |
| Nickname | 'The Flying Tigers' |
| Motto | In hoc signo vinces (Latin for 'In this sign you will conquer') |
| Aircraft | AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 |
| Battle honours |
|
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commander Edward "Dutch" Holland. |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Blue, base a bar wavy white a tiger's mask affronty proper winged white (1946) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Fin Carrier/Shore Codes |
|
814 Naval Air Squadron (814 NAS), also referred to as 814 Squadron, nicknamed theFlying Tigers, is aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It currently operates theAgustaWestland Merlin HM2anti-submarine warfare helicopter and is based atRNAS Culdrose (HMSSeahawk) inCornwall.
The squadron was established in December 1938 and has undergone multiple disbandments and reformations throughout its history. It participated in the Second World War, initially operatingFairey Swordfish and later transitioning toFairey Barracuda. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the squadron adopted theFairey Firefly, utilising four different variants before replacing them withGrumman Avenger, which was subsequently succeeded byFairey Gannet. Beginning in 1960, the squadron shifted to helicopter operations, starting with theWestland Whirlwind, which was soon replaced byWestland Wessex. From 1983 to 2000, it operated four variants of theWestland Sea King, specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare.
814 Naval Air Squadron was formed on 1 December 1938 as a torpedo reconnaissance squadron atRAF Southampton,Hampshire, equipped with sixFairey Swordfish I torpedo bomber aircraft.[1][2]
Originally embarked on aircraft carrierHMSArk Royal in January 1939, the squadron was amongst those transferred to theAdmiralty, when it took control of the FAA on 24 May 1939.[3] and it transferred toHMSHermes at the outbreak of theSecond World War.
HMSHermes set sail for West Africa where the squadron helped search for the German cruiserAdmiral Graf Spee. It also took part in theBattle of Dakar, damaging theVichy French battleshipRichelieu on 8 July 1940.[4] Heavy anti-aircraft fire meant the squadron only achieved a single hit, however the battleship was out-of-action for over a year as a result.[5] For its participation in theBattle of the Atlantic during 1940, the squadron received its only battle honour.[6]
HMSHermes and the squadron travelled to theIndian Ocean in December 1940. The squadron went on to provide support for land forces inBritish Somaliland in East Africa, during which five enemy merchant ships were captured. In May 1941, the squadron provided support to theRoyal Air Force (RAF) inIraq and later provided convoy protection in the Indian Ocean. In April 1942, while the squadron was ashore, HMSHermes was sunk by Japanese aircraft offCeylon (now Sri Lanka) whilst transiting betweenTrincomalee and theMaldives. 814 NAS subsequently disbanded during December 1942 atKatukurunda in Ceylon.[1][7]
The squadron reformed atRNAS Stretton (HMSBlackcap) inCheshire during July 1944, now equipped with theFairey Barracuda Mk II, atorpedo anddive bomber. It embarked onHMS Venerable in March 1945 and headed to theFar East for patrols.[1][7]
In June, the squadron was reduced from eighteen to twelve aircraft and subsequently integrated into the15th Carrier Air Group. It did not engage in any combat operations in thePacific prior to theJapanese surrender.[8]
In December 1945, the squadron began re-equipping with twelveFairey Firefly FR.I aircraft atRNAS Nowra (HMSNabbington) inNew South Wales.[9] The Fairey Firefly was developed in accordance with the Naval Specification N.5/40, continuing the Fleet Air Arm's tradition of creating fast two-seater aircraft that effectively combinedfighter andreconnaissance capabilities. Production commenced, with the first Mk I delivered on 4 March 1943. The FR Mk I variant was specifically designed for fighter and reconnaissance missions, equipped with ASH detectionradar to enhance its operational effectiveness.[10]
By March 1946, these aircraft were re-embarked on HMSVenerable.[11] Following additional operations in the Far East, most of the aircraft were subsequently transferred tosister shipHMS Glory, while the remaining units were decommissioned. The squadron returned to the UK and disembarked atRNAS Eglinton (HMSGannet),County Londonderry, in March 1947. In May, the squadron underwent reform with new aircraft and re-embarked for the Mediterranean in September, remaining stationed atRNAS Ta Kali (HMSGoldfinch),Malta, from November until March 1948, when it returned home, leaving its aircraft behind.[8]
In April, eight Firefly FR. 4s were received at RNAS Eglinton, which were then embarked on another sister shipHMS Vengeancein August.[8] The Fairey Firefly FR.4 had its first flight on 25 May 1945.[12] Its high-altitude performance improved significantly due to the two-speed, two-stage superchargedRolls-Royce Griffon 74 engine, which boosted maximum speed by 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). Modifications included a four-bladed Rotolairscrew and an extended fin leading edge for enhanced stability. Additionally, two fairings were added beneath the wings: the port fairing for auxiliary fuel and the starboard fairing for the radar scanner.[13]
The squadron visited South Africa in October, engaging in an eight-day goodwill tour before returning home for Christmas. The following year, the carrier sailed to theArctic Circle for cold weather trials, during which the first AS.5s were received, leading to the squadron being fully re-equipped by September. The Mk.5 emerged as the most extensively manufactured variant of the later Fireflies. This model marked a shift towards equipping the Firefly with various tools tailored for specialised functions, resulting in the development of subvariants such as the FR.5 for fighter reconnaissance, the NF.5 fornight-fighting, and the AS.5 for anti-submarine patrol. The differences among these Fireflies were mainly internal. Early 1950 saw the squadron spend two months in the Mediterranean, followed by a visit to Norway in July. However, it disbanded on 19 November 1950.[12][8]
The squadron reformed on 22 November 1950 atRNAS Culdrose (HMSSeahawk),Cornwall, initially using Firefly FR. 1s until the arrival of eight Firefly AS. 6s at the end of January 1951. The Mk.6, designated AS.6, was specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare and served as the primary anti-submarine aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm until the mid-1950s.[14] Alongside809 Squadron, it formed the7th Night Air Group, the first all-weather group, and embarked on HMSVengeance for work-up in May 1951, completing 927 hours of night training and earning theBoyd Trophy.[15] In September, it transferred to the15th Carrier Air Group aboard another sister shipHMS Theseus, but after the Air Group disbanded in January 1952,[16] the squadron remained shore-based until embarking in theAudacious-classaircraft carrierHMS Eagle in June, making two Arctic trips before the year's end. The year 1953 was primarily spent on exercises, first in the Mediterranean and then inHome waters.[8]
In March 1954, the squadron was re-equipped with eight Avenger AS.5 aircraft, 814 became the first Fleet Air Arm unit to operate this variant ofGrumman Avenger.[8][17] In 1953, during the presentation of the Navy Estimates in theHouse of Commons, it was declared that the Grumman Avenger would re-enter service with the Royal Navy. The purpose of the Avengers was to enhance the anti-submarine capabilities. A total of 100 post-war Avengers were provided under the Mutual Defence Assistance Programme, specifically of the TBM-3E variant utilised by theUS Navy. The AS.5 aircraft underwent complete modifications to meet British specifications.[17] The squadron later deployed to Malta in February 1955 aboard thename ship of herclassHMS Centaur. After returning to home waters, the squadron disbanded in November, with the aircraft subsequently stored atRNAS Abbotsinch (HMSSanderling),Renfrewshire.[8]
In January 1957, 814 Squadron was re-established at RNAS Culdrose as an anti-submarine unit, equipped with eight Gannet AS.4 anti-submarine warfare aircraft. In August, the squadron embarked in HMSEagle to participate in an exercise in Norwegian waters the subsequent month.[8]
TheFairey Gannet, introduced in 1955, became a pivotal element of the Fleet Air Arm's carrier-based anti-submarine capabilities. It was the first aircraft worldwide to feature a dual airscrew-turbine system, combining the benefits of a twin-engine design with the simplicity of a single-engine configuration. Notably, the Gannet was the first in the FAA to integrate both search and strike functions, equipped with a spacious weapons bay and a large retractable radar scanner.[18] The Gannet AS.4, which made its maiden flight on 13 April 1956, succeeded the AS.1 and was enhanced by the addition of theArmstrong Siddeley Double Mamba (101) ASM.D.3 engine. This advancement marked the successful completion of the FAA's initiative to modernise its anti-submarine fleet.[19]
A journey to the Mediterranean occurred in January 1958, followed by another in July. After these deployments, the squadron returned to its home base at the end of the year. Following an additional Mediterranean exercise in early 1959 and a visit toBrest, the squadron disembarked at RNAS Culdrose, where it ultimately disbanded in December.[8]
In 1960, the squadron continued in the ASW role and was equipped with its firsthelicopter, theWestland Whirlwind, when 814 Squadron was re-established as a helicopter unit at RNAS Culdrose in April 1960, equipped with eight Whirlwind HAS.7 helicopters. The Westland Whirlwind was the British adaptation of the AmericanSikorsky S-55 helicopter. The final iteration of this aircraft in Fleet Air Arm service was the HAS.7, powered with a BritishAlvis Leonides Mk.5 engine. This variant was engineered for primary operations in anti-submarine warfare, marking it as the first British helicopter dedicated to such tasks. It featured advanced equipment, including radar and dippingAsdic, to enhance submarine detection capabilities. In July, the squadron embarked in theCentaur-class light fleet carrierHMS Hermes for a joint exercise with theUnited States Sixth Fleet, followed by participation in aNATO exercise in home waters in September. The squadron's next deployment took it to the Far East in December 1960, and it returned to the UK in April 1961, ultimately disbanding at Culdrose on 14 September.[20][8]
The Whirlwind was later replaced with theWestland Wessex HAS.1.[5] The Wessex HAS.3 was introduced in 1967, providing the squadron with its firstradar-equipped helicopter. During this time, the squadron was embarked onHMS Victorious andHMSHermes to patrol east of theSuez. In 1968, 814 NAS was again awarded the Boyd Trophy, on this occasion for achieving a high state of operational effectiveness at sea with the Wessex HAS.3. The squadron decommissioned for a second time in July 1970.[1]
.jpg)
The squadron reformed atRNAS Prestwick (HMSGannet) inAryshire during March 1973, equipped with fourWestland Sea King HAS.1 helicopters, a variant specialising in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). It embarked on tours of duty with theCentaur-classlight fleet aircraft carrierHMS Bulwark and hersister shipHMS Hermes, assisting with the evacuation of British citizens during the 1974Turkish invasion of Cyprus.[1]
That same year the squadron received the Australia Shield for its high standard of operational readiness. The Sea King HAS.2 was introduced in 1977, making the squadron the first in the Royal Navy to operate a helicopter withpassive sonar equipment. 814 Squadron relocated from Prestwick toRNAS Culdrose (HMSSeahawk) inCornwall on 9 April 1976 and has since remained there. By the end of 1976 the unit strength had increased to nine helicopters.[1]
The squadron became a full member of theNATO Tiger Association in 1979, an organisation with the aim of promoting solidarity between air-forces ofNATO.[21]
By the time of theFalklands War in April 1982, the upgraded Sea King HAS.5 had entered service with the squadron and in August 1982 it embarked on theInvincible-classaircraft carrierHMS Illustrious forSouth Atlantic patrols. Capability was further enhanced in October 1990 when 814 Squadron re-equipped with Sea King HAS.6. This variant of the Sea King saw action with the squadron whilst operating from thelead ship of her classHMS Invincible during theGulf War in 1991 and later in theBosnian War andKosovo Wars. In December 2000, the unit was decommissioned for the third time.[1][5]
The squadron was re-established in October 2001 at RNAS Culdrose, equipped with theAgustaWestland Merlin HM1. The Merlin has taken the place of the Fleet Air Arm's anti-submarine warfare Sea King helicopter and is engineered for deployment on ships or operation from land in various maritime functions.[5] In addition to its ASW role, it has capabilities inanti-piracy operations, delivery of humanitarian aid,casualty evacuation, medium lift under-slung loads (up to 3.8 tonnes),search and rescue, counter drugs andmaritime patrol and security operations. The Merlin can be armed withBAE SystemsSting Raytorpedoes, Mark 11depth charges and theBrowning M3m .50 calibre machine gun.[22][23] The squadron has over 200 personnel assigned to it and is the largest ever Merlin Fleet Air Arm squadron.[23]
The squadron's Merlin's have seen operational service aboardHMSIllustrious, during the Iraq War (Operation Telic) and in the widerPersian Gulf area. In May 2012 it was involved inExercise Joint Warrior off the coast ofScotland again withHMSIllustrious.[24] TheLondon 2012 Olympics saw the squadron deploy toRNAS Yeovilton inSomerset to perform maritime security operations. Yeovilton's location allowed the squadron's Merlins to quickly accessamphibious transport dockHMSBulwark, which was acting as the police command unit for theOlympic Sailing Regatta taking place inWeymouth Bay.[25][26]
During December 2014, the Merlin HM1 was replaced with the Merlin HM2.[27] The upgraded aircraft features a new mission system,digital cockpit, electro-optical camera andmulti-static sonar system. For a two-week period in early 2016, two aircraft and over sixty personnel from 814 NAS took part ifExercise Dynamic Manta 16 in theMediterranean. Based atNaval Air Station Sigonella inSicilly, the unit worked alongside eight other NATO nations during the major anti-submarine warfare exercise.[28] The squadron returned for the 2017 exercise, when they were again based at Sigonella and the 2018 exercise, when they were based atCatania - Fontanarossa Naval Air Station, also in Sicily.[29][30] The aircraft and personnel of829 Naval Air Squadron, also based at RNAS Culdrose, merged with 814 NAS in March 2018, creating the largest ever Merlin Fleet Air Arm squadron.[23]
The squadron has operated a variety of different aircraft and variants.[31][32]
%2c_UK_-_Navy_AN1323348.jpg)
%2c_UK_-_Navy_AN0887690.jpg)
Thebattle honours awarded to 814 Naval Air Squadron are:
814 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[16]
List ofcommanding officers of 814 Naval Air Squadron:[34][32]
1938 - 1942
1944 - 1950
1950 - 1955
1957 - 1959
1960 - 1961
1961 - 1970
1973 - 2000
2001 - present
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[35]
The squadron nickname is 'the Flying Tigers' and its badge features a tiger's head, representing its membership of theNATO Tiger Association.
The following organisations are affiliated with the squadron.[36]
