| 801 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active | Royal Air Force 1933–1939 Royal Navy
|
| Disbanded | 9 March 2007 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Single-seat fighter squadron |
| Role |
|
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Mottos | On Les Aura (French for 'We'll have them')[1] |
| Aircraft | SeeAircraft flown section for full list. |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations | Boyd Trophy 1967, 1981 |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | White, a trident erect blue winged proper (1937) |
| Identification Markings |
|
801 Naval Air Squadron (801 NAS) was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Navy (RN). It most recently operated theHarrier as part ofJoint Force Harrier (JFH), from October 2006 until March 2007.
Formed on 3 April 1933 by the redesignation of No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight, FAA. Operating as a carrier-based fighter squadron, it served throughout theSecond World War. It operated withde Havilland Sea Hornet post-war. During theKorean War, it flewHawker Sea Fury. These were followed with theHawker Sea Hawk during the late 1950s and later theBlackburn Buccaneer during the 1960s. The squadron flew theSea Harrier throughout the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, notably during theFalklands War.
801 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm was established on 3 April 1933, atRAF Netheravon in Wiltshire, through the redesignation of No. 401 (Fleet Fighter) Flight, FAA, within theRoyal Air Force.[2]
Equipped with threeFairey Flycatchers and sixHawker Nimrods biplane fighters, it embarkedHMS Furious commenced operations in Home Waters and the Mediterranean. The Fairey Flycatchers were replaced byHawker Ospreys in early 1934, while the Hawker Nimrods were retired in October 1936. In early 1939,Blackburn Skuas andGloster Sea Gladiators were allocated toHMS Courageous for Deck Landing Training duties.[3] However, following the transfer of the Fleet Air Arm toAdmiralty oversight on 24 May 1939, the unit was reclassified as a second line squadron and redesignated as769 Naval Air Squadron atRNAS Donibristle (HMSMerlin), Fife.[2]
In January 1940, 801 NAS was based atRNAS Donibristle HMS (Merlin) in Fife, with theBlackburn Skua, playing a key role in the early part of the war with operations in Norway while deploying from theaircraft carrierHMS Ark Royal. In September, 801 Squadron embarked onFurious for raids on the northerly parts of the Norwegian coast. Following an attack on Trondheim on 22 September, Skua L2942 piloted by Sub-Lieutenant Bernard Wigginton with Leading Aircraftman Kenneth King as his gunner, was unable to find their carrier and crash landed in neutral Sweden.[4] Following a period of time spent on land, the squadron was disbanded and reformed as 800X Squadron.[5]
On 1 August 1941, the squadron was reformed atRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron) in Somerset, where it received twelveHawker Sea Hurricane fighter aircraft. Subsequently, it relocated to RNAS Hatston (HMSSparrowhawk) on Mainland, Orkney, where it dedicated some time to the defense of Scapa Flow.[5]
The squadron was then deployed to the Mediterranean aboardHMS Argus, before being transferred toHMS Eagle for convoy operations to Malta. Unfortunately, HMSEagle was torpedoed on 11 August during Operation Pedestal and sank,[5] resulting in the aircraft in the air being dispersed across the aircraft carriers HMSVictorious and HMSIndomitable. The remaining personnel of the squadron subsequently returned to the UK.[3]
In 1943880 Naval Air Squadron formed the 30 Naval Fighter Wing OnHMS Implacable. In June 1945, naval fighter wings were reformed into carrier groups, with 801 NAS,828 NAS,880 NAS, and1771 NAS becoming the8th Carrier Air Group.
The inaugural front-line unit of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) to receivede Havilland Sea Hornet F.20 was 801 Naval Air Squadron,[6] which was re-established on 1 July 1947, atRNAS Ford (HMSPeregrine) in Sussex.[7] The Sea Hornet represented the FAA's adaptation of the RAF's de Havilland Hornet long-range fighter, marking it as the first twin-engine, single-seat fighter to be deployed from the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers. Following a period stationed atRNAS Arbroath (HMSCondor),Angus, Scotland, the Sea Hornets of 801 Squadron were deployed aboard thename ship of herclassHMS Implacable in 1949,[6] as part of the1st Carrier Air Group and the squadron continued to operate these aircraft until they transitioned to Hawker Sea Furies in March 1951.[8]
TheHawker Sea Fury represented the finalpiston-engine fighter used by the Fleet Air Arm in front-line squadrons, operating from 1947 to 1955. It was notable for being the first British naval aircraft to feature power-folding wings in regular service. The Sea Fury commenced its operational service in the late summer of 1947.[9]
In March 1951, 801 Naval Air Squadron received twelve Hawker Sea Furies and the squadron saw active service during theKorean War flying from theColossus-classaircraft carrierHMS Glory. During its deployment in theatre from November 1952 to May 1953, 801 executed a total of 2,881 sorties across eleven operational patrols.[3]
The Sea Furies were capable of being equipped with either two bombs or four rockets, along with drop tanks in both configurations.[10] Primarily used alongside Fairey Fireflies within the same Carrier Air Group for ground-attack missions employing bombs and rockets, the Sea Furies also engaged the significantly fasterMiG-15 jet fighters.[9] The squadron suffered seven casualties.[11]
Later, the squadron strength was reduced to twelve aircraft. From February 1954 it was shore based in the United Kingdom until it disbanded at RNAS Ford in January 1955.[3]
801 Naval Air Squadron then recommissioned with twelveHawker Sea Hawk FGA.4s in March 1955 at RNAS Lossiemouth[12] and joined the recently commissionedCentaur-class aircraft carrierHMS Bulwark for trip toScandinavia[13] which included visits toOslo,Trondheim andCopenhagen.[14] In 1956, the squadron joined thelead ship of the class,HMS Centaur, for a tour of the Mediterranean and Far East, disembarking at RAF Tengah andRNAS Sembawang (HMSSimbang), Singapore, before returning home to disband atRNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMSDaedalus), Hampshire, in May.[15]
The Sea Hawk was initially introduced to FAA squadrons in 1953, with the FGA 4 variant, designed for close-support operations, making its inaugural flight on 26 August 1954. The ultimate production model for the Royal Navy was the FGA 6, with the final Sea Hawk for the FAA being delivered in early 1956.[16]
In May 1957, the squadron was re-established at RNAS Brawdy (HMSGoldcrest), Pembrokeshire, now equipped with ten Sea Hawk FGA 6 aircraft. It joined HMSBulwark in November, which then embarked on a voyage to the West Indies in January 1958, subsequently operating in the Mediterranean and the Far East. From July to September 1958, HMSBulwark was stationed at Aden, where the squadron occasionally engaged in confrontations with local insurgents, followed by similar operations in Oman. Upon returning to the UK, the squadron was regrouped in November and transferred to HMSCentaur in January 1959, continuing its deployments in the Mediterranean and the Far East, including additional operations in Aden during April. Returning to the UK in July the squadron disbanded.[17]
TheBlackburn Buccaneer represented the initial example of an aircraft specifically engineered for low-level, high-speed strike missions. It was developed in response to an Admiralty specification for an aircraft capable of deploying a nuclear weapon by taking advantage of the weak points beneath enemy radar systems while achieving speeds exceeding Mach 0.9. It was introduced into service with the Royal Navy's700Z Buccaneer S.1 IFTU in March 1961 under the designation Buccaneer S.1. The inaugural front line operational unit was 801 Naval Air Squadron,[18] which was re-established atRNAS Lossiemouth (HMSFulmar), located inMoray, in July 1962, serving as a strike squadron equipped with eight Buccaneer S.1 aircraft.[19]
Under the command of Lieutenant CommanderEdward Anson, RN and after a period of working up the squadron embarked in theAudacious-class aircraft carrier HMSArk Royal on 19 February 1963.[20] After the spell in HMSArk Royal the squadron increased its strength to ten aircraft, embarking in theIllustrious-class aircraft carrierHMS Victorious in August 1963 for the Far East.[3][21] In September, the squadron disembarked to RAF Tengah in Singapore and subsequently re-embarked in HMSVictorious the following month, although a detachment of two aircraft remained until early as December. Later, towards the end of October, the squadron disembarked to RAF Kai Tak in Hong Kong, but returned to the carrier in early November, ultimately returning to Singapore in early December.[22]
In February 1964, the squadron disembarked toNairobi during a crisis in East Africa, with a detachment of six Buccaneers atEmbakasi Airport between 7 and 22. Returning to the carrier for an extended duration in the Far East, which encompassed a trip to thePhilippines where the squadron spent between 25 May to 9 June disembarked to the US Navy'sNaval Air Station Cubi Point, Bataan, Philippines, 801 also spent time disembarked to RAF Changi in Singapore and there was a significant personnel transition in November during HMSVictorious’s refitting and recommissioning in Singapore. Upon returning to the United Kingdom, the squadron was disbanded in July 1965.[23]
In October, the squadron was re-established with the improved Buccaneer S.2. Equipped with twoRolls-Royce Spey Mk.101 turbojets, it achieved a 30 percent increase in thrust and reduced fuel consumption, resulting in an extended operational range. Notably, on 4 October 1965, a Buccaneer S.2 accomplished the first non-stoptransatlantic flight by a Fleet Air Arm aircraft.[24] Subsequently, 801 Naval Air Squadron was reformed from a core group of700B Buccaneer S.2 IFTU at RNAS Lossiemouth on 14 October.[19]
Having joined HMSVictorious in July 1966, it returned to RNAS Lossiemouth in June 1967 after a deployment that encompassed three distinct visits to RAF Changi, Singapore.[22] The squadron was later honoured with the 1967Boyd Trophy for its contributions to the operational deployment of the Buccaneer S.2.[25] In 1968, 801 squadron was reassigned to theCentaur-class light fleet carrierHMS Hermes and took its Buccaneers for an extended deployment in the Eastern region. In March 1969, the aircraft carrier returned to the United Kingdom, where it would remain for the subsequent year in Home and Mediterranean waters, with the squadron officially disbanding at RNAS Lossiemouth on 21 July 1970.[19]
TheBritish Aerospace Sea Harrier was a particular variant in aline of subsonic aircraft engineered forvertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) capabilities, designed for various roles including strike missions, reconnaissance, and air-to-air combat. It was officially introduced into the Royal Navy in June 1979, designated as the Sea Harrier FRS.1[26] and it was informally known as the 'Shar'.[27]
On 28 January 1981, 801 Naval Air Squadron was reformed as the second operational squadron for the Sea Harrier, equipped with five Sea Harrier FRS.1 aircraft atRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron) located in Somerset.[23] The 1981 Boyd Trophy was conferred upon it in recognition of the pilot's exceptional accomplishments in operating the Sea Harrier, which was embarked inHMS Invincible.[28]
The squadron operated theSea Harrier equipped withBlue Fox radars aboard HMSInvincible during theFalklands War.[29] The squadron was supplemented by five pilots from899 Naval Air Squadron and was under the command of Lieutenant Commander"Sharkey" Ward.
In the course of the conflict, an additional Sea Harrier squadron, designated as809 Naval Air Squadron, was established. This squadron, equipped with eight surplus aircraft, was transported south on theMVAtlantic Conveyor. Upon reaching the South Atlantic, the aircraft were allocated between the two carriers, with four assigned to each of 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons.[30] The aircraft were integrated into these squadrons, similar to the 899 aircraft, yet they retained their distinct appearance due to their application of light grey low visibility camouflage, in contrast to the dark sea grey scheme employed by the other Sea Harriers.[31]
801 NAS Pilots
899 NAS Pilots
809 NAS Pilots
801 Squadron disroyed 10 Argentine aircraft.[34]
Some "kills" are claimed jointly or disputed (Puma at Shag Cove)
801 NAS lost four aircraft and two pilots during the conflict.[35]
Lieutenant Commander Ward and Lieutenant Thomas were each awarded theDistinguished Service Cross for their conduct and leadership throughout the campaign.Lieutenant Commander Kent and Flight Lieutenant Mortimer were both Mentioned in Despatches. Lt Curtis was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches
In October 1994, the squadron upgraded to the advanced Sea Harrier FA.2,[19] which offered several improvements over the FRS.1 variant. These enhancements included a more powerfulRolls-Royce Pegasus Mk.106 engine, increased operational range,[36] theBlue Vixen look-down radar system, a higher capacity for air-to-air munitions, compatibility withAIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, and improved cockpit instrumentation.[37]
In March 1997, 801 NAS was deployed onboardHMS Illustrious as part of the Carrier Task Group assigned to theArmilla patrol when it took part in Operation Jural, enforcing the'no fly' zone over southernIraq. Equipped with FA2 Sea Harriers, the Squadron operated alongsideGR7 Harriers fromNo.1 Squadron RAF who had joined them on the carrier for a month of combined exercises and operations. Between 7–12 March, the Harriers flew 28 sorties (18 over Iraqi territory).[38]
On Tuesday 28 March 2006 a ceremony was held at RNAS Yeovilton, with Commander A J W Rae as the last Sea Harrier squadron commanding officer, to mark the withdrawal from service of the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier FA2s. The final Sea Harrier was withdrawn from service on 31 March 2006 at RNAS Yeovilton and the squadron disbanded. Prior to decommissioning, all aircraft adopted theomega symbol on their tail-fin in recognition of 801 NAS being the last operators of an all-British fixed-wing fighter aircraft. This harks back to the use of this symbol by892 Naval Air Squadron, whoseMcDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1s were the last conventional fixed-wing aircraft used by theFleet Air Arm.
801 Squadron was re-established under the command of Commander K. Seymour, RN, atRAF Cottesmore on 2 October 2006, equipped withHarrier GR. 7s, as a component of Joint Force Harrier. However, it did not operate as a fully autonomous unit, as a significant number of its personnel were allocated to support 800 Squadron.[39]
However, due to lack of manpower all former 801 and 800 Squadron (their sister squadron) personnel formed theNaval Strike Wing (NSW) within RAF Cottesmore, on 9 March 2007, thus severing all remaining ties to their former home at RNAS Yeovilton.[40] On 1 April 2010, Naval Strike Wing reverted to the identity of 800 Naval Air Squadron.[41]
A proposal to reform 801 Squadron from the Naval Strike Wing in 2010 did not come to fruition.[39]
During its lifespan, 801 Squadron has flown fourteen different aircraft types:[42]
801 Naval Air Squadron has been awarded numerousbattle honours, including six during World War II:
801 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[51]
List ofcommanding officers of 801 Naval Air Squadron:[39]
1933 – 1939
1940 – 1941
1941 – 1946
1947 – 1955
1955 – 1956
1957 – 1960
1962 – 1965
1965 – 1970
1981 – 2006
2006 – 2007
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[55]
