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| 848 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 848 NAS badge | |
| Active | 1 June 1943-45 1952-56 1958-63 1964-76 1982 1990-91 1995-2013 2015-2016 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Land based and amphibious squadron |
| Role | Commando Helicopter training |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Motto(s) | Accipe Hoc Latin: "Take This" |
| Battle honours | Normandy 1944 Okinawa 1945 Japan 1945 Falkland Islands 1982 Kuwait 1991 |
848 Naval Air Squadron was asquadron of theRoyal NavyFleet Air Arm. It operated theWestland Sea King HC.4helicopter and previously provided advanced flying training to pilots for the other squadrons in theCommando Helicopter Force. The squadron was based atRNAS Yeovilton inSomerset and was decommissioned on 24 March 2016.[1]
The squadron was officially formed in June 1943 as a torpedo bomber, reconnaissance, Avenger squadron atQuonset Point Naval Air Stationon Rhode Island, and subsequently embarked onHMS Trumpeter on September 1 for the UK, disembarking on October 30.[2]
In April 1944, 848 squadron was assigned to 16 Group RAF of Coastal Command where it would operate from RAF Manston in Kent and RAF Thorney Island in West Sussex. Leading up to D-Day 848 would conduct anti-shipping operations.[3] On D-Day, June 6, 1944, 848 squadron carried out anti-shipping and smoke laying operations.[4]
848 would then be assigned toHMS Formidable in September 1944, though the squadron would have to wait in Dekheila for 3 months while the Formidable underwent repairs.[5] Embarking on HMS Formidable in January 1945, 848 Squadron provided air support for the invasion of Okinawa (Operation Iceberg) and air strikes on Formosa.[6] Later in July, 848 Squadron conducted strikes on Japan until the end of the war.[7]
The squadron reformed atRNAS Gosport (HMS Siskin) on 29 October 1952 with American-builtWestland Whirlwind HAS.21s for work in Malaya.[8]848 Squadron 26 whirlwind MK 7 aircraft joinedHMSBulwark in early 1960 and deployed to the Far East for two and a half years - when the ship was in Singapore the squadron detached to the shore base HMSSinbang RNAS Sembawang (HQ of the3rd Commando Brigade &42 Commando RM). In December 1962 848 returned on HMSBulwark to Plymouth and detached to its new home HMSSeahawkRNAS Culdrose.
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848 reformed at RNAS Culdrose on 7 May 1964 with 18Westland Wessexes. Between August 1967 and April 1973 these were joined byWestland Wasp HAS.1's.[9]
During its 69-year history, 848 Squadron had been disbanded and reformed several times but had a more permanent standing, having been made the Commando Helicopter Training Squadron, based atRNAS Yeovilton.
Part of this Squadron was taken to form847 NAS duringOperation Corporate to retake theFalkland Islands 1982. The Squadron operatedWestland Wessex HU.5 aircraft at this time.
As the gulf crisis loomed, 848 Squadron was recalled,[10] reforming with the Sea King HC4 on 16 November 1990 and went on to serve in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After the conflict it returned to the UK and was disbanded again on 19 April 1991.
The Squadron restarted again in March 1995 took the role from 707 NAS which was responsible for the training of aircrew and maintainers in the Commando role.
With a complement of one hundred ratings and thirty officers, the Squadron was responsible for the instruction of up to sixty pilots and aircrewmen each year. Operating theWestland Sea King HC.4, pilots undertook Advanced Flying Training - how to handle emergencies and how to fly with sole reference to instruments - before crewing up with theaircrewmen, Ratings taken from the Royal NavyRoyal Marines, to learn how to operate the aircraft in a tactical environment during operational flying training.
The Squadron also trained more than one hundred and fifty helicopter maintainers annually before sending them to the front line. Aircrew and maintainers received military and amphibious training and were taught how to operate in the field and from the deck of a ship.
848 NAS disbanded in 2013.[11] It reformed on 1 May 2015 as an operational Sea King HC.4 squadron; this was to allow845 NAS to convert to the Merlin without a loss of operational capability.[12]
It was decommissioned on 24 March 2016.[13]
The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions:[9]
The squadron had a number of affiliations:[14]
