| 809 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active |
|
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Single-seat fighter squadron |
| Role |
|
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | RAF Marham |
| Motto | Immortal |
| Aircraft | Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning |
| Battle honours |
|
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commander Nick Smith[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Blue, a Phoenix wings displayed and addorsed langued red and inclined to profile gold arising from flames proper (1944) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Fin Carrier/Shore Codes | |
809 Squadron (809 NAS), sometimes referred to as 809 Squadron, nicknamedImmortal, is aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom'sRoyal Navy (RN). It currently operates theLockheed Martin F-35B Lightning aircraft fromRAF Marham, Norfolk, having recommissioned in 2023.[2][3] The unit is jointly manned by bothRoyal Navy andRoyal Air Force personnel and operates fromQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.[4]
It was first formed in 1941 and flew in theSoviet Union, theMediterranean and theFar East during theSecond World War. After active service during theSuez Crisis, 809 was disbanded in 1959. Reformed in 1963 to flyBlackburn Buccaneers, the squadron was disbanded briefly in 1965–66, and then again in 1978. A brief period during theFalklands War saw 809 reformed to bringSea Harrier FRS.1 aircraft south to the UK task group and to fly fromHMS Illustrious.
_1942.jpg)
Formed on 15 January 1941 atRNAS St Merryn with 12Fairey Fulmars,[5] the squadron embarked inHMS Victorious in July 1941.[6] At first involved in operations againstPetsamo andBodø, and then the convoys to North Russia,Victorious and her air group fought in the Mediterranean from July 1942, including participating inOperation Pedestal.[5]
After being trained in army co-operation duties at Sawbridge, 809 re-embarked inVictorious in October 1942 and conducted tactical reconnaissance for the North African landings ofOperation Torch. After being re-equipped with theSupermarine Seafire IIc, the squadron provided cover forOperation Avalanche, the allied landings atSalerno.[5]
The squadron flew Seafires offHMS Stalker during 1944, including landing detachments in North Africa and Italy between May and July.[5]Stalker and 809 formed part ofTask Force 88 covering theOperation Dragoon landings in Southern France in August 1944.[5] In November 1944 the squadron transferred toHMS Attacker, rejoiningStalker in March 1945, bound for theEastern Fleet atCeylon.[5]
The final days of World War II saw 809 providing fighter cover forOperation Dracula, the re-occupation ofRangoon, then in June operations inBritish Malaya andSumatra. The ship subsequently gave cover forOperation Zipper, the re-occupation of Malaya afterV-J Day.[5]
TheDe Havilland Sea Hornet NF.21 served as the standard night-fighter for the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) that operated from aircraft carriers from 1949 to 1954. Its advanced radar systems, along with the inclusion of a navigator, rendered it effective as a lead aircraft within strike formations. The Sea Hornet N.F.21 commenced its first-line operational service with 809 Squadron atRNAS Culdrose (HMSSeahawk), Cornwall, on 20 January 1949. This squadron was specifically re-established for the Sea Hornet night-fighter and was the sole first-line squadron to utilise this aircraft type. The initial deployment of Sea Hornet N.F.21s occurred with 809 Squadron aboardHMS Vengeance in May 1950, contributing to the FAA's inaugural All-Weather Air Group. The operational range of the N.F.21 was notably showcased in November 1951, when an aircraft from 809 Squadron completed a non-stop flight fromGibraltar toRNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMSDaedalus), Hampshire, at an average speed of 378 miles per hour (608 km/h).[7]
Before joining HMSVengeance as a member of the15th Carrier Air Group with814 Squadron, on 3 May 1950 the squadron conducted a flypast featuring seven de Havilland Sea Hornets, along with nineHawker Sea Furies, and twoRoyal Naval Volunteer Reserve(RNVR) squadrons ofSupermarine Seafires during the launch ofHMS Ark Royal atBirkenhead. In August, the squadron merged with792 Squadron, aNight Fighter training unit. Brief embarked periods occurred throughout 1950, and by May 1951, both squadrons were part of the7th Carrier Air Group. However, operating twin-engine aircraft from carriers was difficult, leading to a three-month stay atRAF Coltishall, Norfolk, starting in August 1951. In January 1952, the squadron deployed toRNAS Hal Far inMalta, returning in March. In January 1953, 809 Squadron joinedHMS Eagle for work-up and the spring cruise, returning for theCoronation Review flypast on 15 June. The squadron was disbanded at RNAS Culdrose on 10 May 1954.[8]
_flight_deck_during_Suez_Crisis_1956.jpg)
Thede Havilland Sea Venom represented the Royal Navy's inaugural jetall-weather fighter, succeeding the Sea Hornet NF.21 on aircraft carriers in 1954. The initial production model, the Sea Venom FAW.20, took to the skies on 27 March 1953. This was subsequently followed in production by the FAW.21, which featured the enhancedde Havilland Ghost 104 engine, power-operated ailerons,American radar systems, and a clear-view frameless canopy. The second Fleet Air Arm Sea Venom squadron was 809, which had been the sole all-weather squadron of the FAA operating the Sea Hornet since 1949.[9]
The squadron reassembled on the same day atRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron),Somerset, with nine Sea Venom FAW.20s designated for the all-weather fighter role and these were later replaced by nine Sea Venom FAW.21s. The squadron was planned to be assigned to HMSArk Royal, however, issues with fractured deck hooks hindered this plan, leading to its deployment toMalta in November to participate in exercises in theMediterranean. Four months later, the squadron returned home and disbanded at RNAS Yeovilton in March 1956.[8]
On 7 May 1956, 809 reformed at RNAS Yeovilton, again with nine Sea Venom FAW.21s and in September it joinedHMS Albion for the Mediterranean. In November the squadron participated in theSuez Crisis with attacks on Egyptian airfields as well as tanks and other military vehicles, just under one-hundred and forty sorties being flown in all. In the New Year the squadron returned to the UK. Various cruises were subsequently undertaken, and from July 1958 the squadron spent a period in the Mediterranean before re-embarking in October for theFar East, with visits to bothNew Zealand andAustralia in early 1959. In April 1959 cross-operations were carried out withUSS Yorktown during aSoutheast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) exercise before returning toSingapore. The carrier then sailed home and 809 disbanded on arrival on 17 August.[8][10]
809 NAS re-formed on 15 January 1963 as the second frontlineBlackburn Buccaneer S.1 squadron (after 801 NAS), using aircraft and crews from the recently disbanded700Z NAS (the Buccaneer S.1 trials and training unit) under the command of 700Z's commanding officer, Commander 'Spiv' Leahy. The squadron was tasked with continuing 700Z's duties and became the Buccaneer Headquarters squadron. The aircraft at the time were painted in 'anti-flash' white with toned-down markings because of the Buccaneer's nuclear role, with the squadron badge of a phoenix on the sides of the jet intakes. By 1965 the Buccaneer force had switched to the standard Fleet Air Arm finish of dark sea grey upper surfaces and white undersides, and the squadron badge was moved to the tail. In April 1965, 809 NAS disbanded again and its role was taken over by736 NAS atRNAS Lossiemouth.
809 re-formed in 1966 under the command of Lt Cdr Lyn Middleton and was now equipped with theRolls-Royce Spey-poweredBuccaneer S.2. Royal Navy Buccaneers were now being painted dark sea grey overall with all markings other than roundels in either light grey or light blue to reduce visibility. 809 embarked inHMS Hermes with six aircraft for the next two years, then from 1968 were shore-based again at Lossiemouth, during which time they formed a display team and attended many air shows.
In 1970, having increased its complement to 14 Buccaneer S.2s, 809 embarked inHMS Ark Royal and, from 1972 onward, became the last Royal Navy Buccaneer squadron following the disbandment of800 Naval Air Squadron. In 1972,Ark Royal and 809 RNAS were despatched "with haste" from the North Atlantic to 'show presence' overBritish Honduras, nowBelize, in the face of neighbouringGuatemalan threats to invade Belize. Steaming hard at 27 knots, and when eventually offBermuda, two Buccaneers were launched along with two morebuddy tanker versions to make one of the longest journeys of its type.[11] In a six-hour round trip the two Buccaneersshowed presence over Belize and made the Guatemalan government, with itsP-51D Mustangs and limited ground forces, hesitate long enough for other events to intervene. Later the squadron transferred its home base from RNAS Lossiemouth (which was being transferred to RAF control, and later became the home base of the last RAF Buccaneer squadrons) toRAF Honington. 809 NAS continued to alternate between RAF Honington andArk Royal until November 1978, when after flying off the carrier for the last time in the Mediterranean, the squadron flew direct toRAF St Athan, where the aircraft were formally handed over to the RAF. 809 Squadron was officially disbanded atHMSDaedalus on the 13 December 1978, and the aircraft were used to form the RAF'sNo. 216 Squadron in 1979.
TheBritish Aerospace Sea Harrier represented a variant within afamily of subsonic aircraft designed forvertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) capabilities. It was intended for multiple roles, such as strike missions, reconnaissance, and air combat. The aircraft entered service with the Royal Navy in June 1979, designated as the Sea Harrier FRS.1,[12] and was commonly known as the 'Shar'.[13] On 6 April 1982, 809 Naval Air Squadron was recommissioned as a front-line unit for the Sea Harrier, equipped with eight Sea Harrier FRS.1 aircraft at RNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron) located in Somerset.[14]
During theFalklands War of 1982, theFleet Air Arm only had threeSea Harrier squadrons,800 and801 Naval Air Squadrons, with five aircraft each for front line operations fromHMS Hermes andHMS Invincible and899 Naval Air Squadron (training), with around twelve Sea Harriers operating as the headquarters and training squadron. At the outbreak of war, 899 sent three aircraft to join 801 aboard HMSInvincible and seven aircraft to join 800 aboard HMSHermes. These aircraft sailed with theFalklands Task Force, whilst the remains of 899 set about bringing the remaining Sea Harriers in store or on other duties into operational use.
The following pilots were deployed with 809 Naval Air Squadron during the Falklands War in 1982:
These officers formed part of the Sea Harrier FRS.1 contingent embarked aboard the SSAtlantic Conveyor and upon arrival in the South Atlantic, integrated into 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons aboard HMSHermes and HMSInvincible.[17][18]
It was planned to form a third front line squadron with ten Sea Harriers, but only eight could be brought together initially. These aircraft were painted a lighter low visibility grey than the rest of the Sea Harrier fleet, and were then issued to the reformed 809 Naval Air Squadron, under Lieutenant Commander Tim Gedge, which were transported south on the ill-fatedSS Atlantic Conveyor. After arriving with the Task force, the aircraft and pilots were split between the two carriers and were absorbed by their squadrons, as 899's aircraft had been earlier. After the ceasefire, 809 re-formed as a single unit and returned to the UK aboard HMSHermes, where after a very short break they embarked aboard the newly completedIllustrious and returned to the South Atlantic to provide air defence cover untilPort Stanley Airport could be repaired. The squadron remained on station until relieved by RAFPhantom FGR2s ofNo. 29 Squadron based at Stanley. HMSIllustrious returned home in December, and 809 Naval Air Station finally disbanded on 17 December 1982.
In September 2013, it was announced that 809 NAS was to be reformed to become the first Fleet Air Arm squadron to be equipped with theLockheed Martin F-35B Lightning.[19][20] In 2016, it had been planned that the squadron would be recommissioned in April 2023 as the UK's second frontline F-35B squadron afterNo. 617 Squadron RAF, however this was delayed until later in 2023.[21][22]
In September 2022,James Heappey, theMinister of State for the Armed Forces, stated that 809 NAS was "due to stand up in quarter two of 2023", with full operating capability expected in 2025.[23] 809 NAS formally stood-up atRAF Marham, Norfolk, on 8 December 2023 and is expected to be "deployable" in 2025.[24] Initial operating capability was anticipated by 1 December 2024.[25] On 1 October 2024, it was announced that F-35B aircraft from 809 NAS had deployed toHMS Prince of Wales in theNorth Sea for a month's intensive training; the first time for nearly fifteen years that Royal Navy fast jets had operated from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier at sea.[26]
The squadron has flown a number of different aircraft types, including:[27][28]
Thebattle honours awarded to 809 Naval Air Squadron are:
809 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:
List of commanding officers of 809 Naval Air Squadron:[39][27]
1941 - 1946
1949 - 1956
1956 - 1959
1963 - 1965
1966 - 1978
1982
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[40]