| 848 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Squadron badge | |
| Active |
|
| Disbanded | 2 June 2016 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadron |
| Role | |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Mottos | Accipe Hoc (Latin for 'Take This') |
| Aircraft | SeeAircraft operated section for full list. |
| Battle honours |
|
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Red, plate charged with a hawk [Accipiter Gentilis] volant proper releasing a torpedo also proper into water barry wavy blue and white (1945) |
| Identification Markings |
|
| Fin Carrier/Shore Codes |
|
848 Naval Air Squadron (848 NAS), sometimes alluded to as 848 Squadron, was aFleet Air Arm (FAA)naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’sRoyal Navy (RN). It was most recently active with theWestland Sea King HC.4 / Westland Commandohelicopter from May 2015 to June 2016 and was based atRNAS Yeovilton (HMSHeron) inSomerset.
It served during the latter years of the Second World War withGrumman Avenger andFairey Swordfish. It flew variants ofWestland Whirlwind helicopters during the fifties, supportingRoyal Marines deployments overseas, transitioning toWestland Wessex andWestland Wasp helicopters during the sixties and seventies. It also briefly flew Westland Wessex during 1982, notably during theFalklands conflict. The squadron operatedWestland Sea King during the nineties, initially during theGulf War and later provided advanced flying training to pilots for the other squadrons in theCommando Helicopter Force until 2013.[1]
848 Naval Air Squadron was established on 1 June 1943, atRNAS Quonset Point (HMSSaker II) inRhode Island, which was a U.S. Naval Air Station that had been lent to theAdmiralty since October 1942. Its function was to serve as a Torpedo, Bomber, and Reconnaissance Squadron. The squadron was equipped with twelveGrumman Avenger Mk I aircraft, an Americancarrier-basedtorpedo bomber.[2]
The squadron relocated briefly to the RN Air Section atUSNAS Brunswick,Maine, on 15 July 1943, another U.S. Naval Air Station loaned to the Admiralty, for a couple of weeks,[3] before relocating again, next to the RN Air Section atUSNAS Squantum,Quincy, Massachusetts, again on loan to the Admiralty, on 31 July 1943 to complete its work-up.[4] It subsequently embarked on theRuler-classescort carrierHMS Trumpeter on 1 September for the UK, disembarking on 30 October.[5]
In April 1944, 848 squadron was assigned to16 Group ofRAF Coastal Command where it operated fromRAF Manston inKent andRAF Thorney Island inWest Sussex. Leading up toD-Day, 848 would conduct anti-shipping operations.[6] On D-Day itself, 848 squadron carried out anti-shipping and smoke laying operations.[7]
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. Embarking on HMS Formidable in January 1945, 848 Squadron provided air support for the invasion of Okinawa (Operation Iceberg) and air strikes on Formosa. Later in July, 848 Squadron conducted strikes on Japan until the end of the war.[6]
The squadron reformed atRNAS Gosport (HMSSiskin), Hampshire, on 29 October 1952 with ten American-builtWestland Whirlwind HAR.21s for work in Malaya.[8] The Whirlwinds, constructed by theparent company in theUnited States and provided to Britain through theMutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), were comparable to the HRS-2 variant of theUnited States Marines and were produced prior to the Whirlwinds manufactured byWestland. The ten HAR.21s were assignedserial numbers WV189 to 198.[9]
In December, the squadron embarked in the ferry carrierHMS Perseus, disembarking atRNAS Sembawang (HMSSimbang),Singapore, in January 1953, where they came under the administrative jurisdiction ofNo. 303 Wing RAF.[10] By early February, the squadron had achieved full operational status, conducting flights from an advanced base atRAF Kuala Lumpur, Malaya and significantly altering the tactical landscape on the ground, enabling the rapid transportation of troops to jungle locations within minutes, a journey that would have otherwise required hours on foot.[11]
In recognition of their efforts throughout the year in supporting military operations against terrorist activities, they received the 1953Boyd Trophy.[12] In October 1954, five Whirlwind HAR.1 helicopters were incorporated forsearch and rescue missions, which were subsequently retired in June 1955.[11] Operations persisted until 18 December 1956, at which point the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Sembawang.[10]
On 14 October 1958, 848 Squadron was reformed atRNAS Hal Far (HMSFalcon),Malta, originating from728C Squadron, the Amphibious Warfare Trials Unit. Armed with five Whirlwind HAS.22 helicopters, it became the inaugural Royal Marine Commando helicopter squadron, operating inCyprus alongside45 Commando, and was referred to as 45 Heliforce.[11] Again, these helicopters wconstructed by Sikorsky Aircraft and the HAS.22 variant corresponded to the HO4S-3 of theUnited States Navy.[9]
In October 1959, the squadron's helicopters were re-alocated to the Hal Far Station Flight and the squadron subsequently returned to the United Kingdom, reforming atRNAS Worthy Down (HMSKestrel),Hampshire, in November with a fleet of sixteen Whirlwind HAS.7 helicopters, while retaining their Commando designation..[13]
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848 Squadron's twenty-six Whirlwind HAS.7 helicopters joinedHMS Bulwark in early 1960 and deployed to theFar East for two and a half years - when the ship was in Singapore the squadron detached to the shore base HMSSimbang, which was also the HQ of the3rd Commando Brigade &42 Commando RM. In December 1962, 848 returned on HMSBulwark to Plymouth[10] The squadron disembarked to HMSSeahawk, atRNAS Culdrose, Cornwall, at the year's end. A portion of the squadron separated in May 1963 to establish847 Squadron, and 848 Squadron was disbanded at RNAS Culdrose on 30 July 1963.[11]
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848 was reformed at RNAS Culdrose on 7 May 1964, with a complement of eighteenWestland Wessex HU.5 helicopters. Additionally, from August 1967 until April 1973, these were supplemented byWestland Wasp HAS.1 helicopters.[14]
The Wessex HU.5 was developed to fulfil the operational needs of the Royal Marine Commandos, providing a helicopter that could transport a dozen or more fully-armed combat troops into action from the deck of anaircraft carrier orcommando carrier to launch an assault on an enemybeachhead. Additionally, the Wessex HU.5 was capable of engaging ground targets using wire-guidedair-to-surface missiles or functioning as a 'gunship'.[15]
Tasked as a Commando helicopter squadron its Wessex HU.5s spent a period in theCentaur-classlight fleet carrier, converted to commando carrierHMS Albion in January 1965, then in March the ship sailed forAden, where hot weather trials were carried out. After a visit toMombasa, the ship then continued to Singapore, where 848 divided into a Headquarters Flight and four sub-Flights, operating as required from jungle bases. The detachments atSibu and Nanga Gaat were relieved byNo. 230 Squadron RAF's Whirlwinds in August 1965, but it was not until August 1966 that the complete squadron were embarked in HMSAlbion for passage home.[11][10]
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The Wasp HAS.1 was the inaugural helicopter of the Fleet Air Arm to conduct extensive operations from platforms situated on frigates and other smaller vessels. Wasps were capable of operating up to 10nautical miles away from the parent ship, launching theirtorpedoes (or deployingdepth charges during shallow water assaults) and maintaining patrol for approximately one hour.[16]
In August 1967, a Westland Wasp was deployed forreconnaissance andliaison purposes. In March of the same year, the squadron participated in anti-pollution efforts following the grounding of the massive tankerSS Torrey Canyon off theScilly Isles. The squadron spent time aboard HMSAlbion before re-joining the ship in September to head back to Singapore. Additional periods were spent with HMSAlbion for exercises and visits throughout the Far East and Australia, before the ship returned to the UK in June 1969. The squadron was reduced to ten aircraft, as eight were utilised to establish 847 Squadron at RNAS Sembawang in March.[17]
In January 1970, 848 Squadron re-joined HMSBulwark for another deployment to the Far East, ultimately returning to RNAS Culdrose in August. In March 1971, 848 Squadron was re-assigned to HMSAlbion with twelve helicopters for an additional tour in the Far East, and upon arrival, the number of helicopters increased to twenty-two by acquiring the ten surplus aircraft from the disbanded 847 Squadron. Detached Flights operated from theFearless-class amphibious warfare shipHMS Intrepid for certain periods before the entire squadron returned home at the conclusion of the year.[18]
In April 1972, the squadron re-embarked for a period in theMediterranean. Later that year, Flights were embarked onsister ship andlead shipHMS Fearless and HMSIntrepid, while the remaining two Flights joined HMSBulwark. In January 1973, the entire squadron embarked on HMSBulwark for a visit to theWest Indies, returning in March and remaining attached to the ship until disembarking at RNAS Yeovilton for a duration of twelve months in March 1974. Subsequent periods were spent aboard HMSBulwark with sixteen helicopters throughout 1975. In January 1976, a visit to theCaribbean was undertaken, and upon returning home, the squadron was disbanded at RNAS Yeovilton on 31 March.[18]
On 17 April 1982, 848 Squadron was rapidly recommissioned at RNAS Yeovilton, drawing personnel from707 and772 Squadrons for deployment in theSouth Atlantic to take part in thesudden war to retake theFalkland Islands. The squadron was organised into fourFlights, which were transported aboardSS Atlantic Conveyor, a container ship requisitioned by theMinistry of Defence through theSTUFT (ship taken up from trade), the replenishment oilersRFA Olna andRFA Olwen, and the ammunition, explosives and stores supply shipRFA Regent. Tragically, 'D' Flight lost its aircraft when the SSAtlantic Conveyor was sunk on 25 May; the surviving members returned to the UK by air in early June. Meanwhile, 'A' and 'B' Flights made their way back to the UK on their respective ships in September. 'C' Flight returned by air fromPort Stanley, Falkland Islands, in October, having left both of its helicopters with845 Squadron. Ultimately, 848 Squadron was disbanded once more at RNAS Yeovilton on 30 November.[18]
The squadron was reformed at RNAS Yeovilton on 16 November 1990, incorporating six Sea King HC.4 helicopters sourced from 845,846, and 707 Squadrons, to serve in thePersian Gulf following theIraqi invasion of Kuwait. The aircraft were deployed to the Gulf on the new SSAtlantic Conveyor, and after their operations in the desert, serve inOperations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, they returned home to disband at RNAS Yeovilton on 19 April 1991.[18][19]
Designed as a troop transport and logistical support aircraft, the Sea King HC.4 conducted its inaugural flight at Yeovil in September 1979. It featured a fixed undercarriage, replacing the retractable variant (along with sponsons) found in other Sea King models. The Sea King H.C.4 was capable of transporting 27 fully equipped Royal Marine commandos or other personnel and was suitable for operations in both arctic and tropical environments.[20]
Following the dissolution of 772 Squadron atRNAS Portland (HMSOsprey),Dorset, 707 Squadron assumed the Maritime Counter Terrorism (MCT) role and was re-designated as 848 Squadron in February 1995. Besides its MCT responsibilities, the primary function of the squadron was to provide training for Commando aircrew and maintainers of the Sea King HC.4, while also maintaining a wartime contingency role in support of Commando forces. 848 Squadron carried out three ab-initio training courses annually, along with various training detachments to address the diverse skills necessary for Commando aircrew; these detachments included mountain flying at continental bases and onHM Ships andRFAs for Deck Landing Training (DLT), as well as electronic warfare training atRAF Spadeadam,Cumbria andDartmoor Ranges for the concludingmilitary training exercise.[18]
With a total of one hundred ratings and thirty officers, the Squadron was tasked with training up to sixty pilots and aircrew members each year. Utilising the Sea King HC.4, pilots engaged in Advanced Flying Training, which included emergency handling and instrument-only flying, prior to teaming up with theaircrewmen, who were Ratings sourced from the Royal NavyRoyal Marines, to acquire skills for operating the aircraft in a tactical setting during operational flying training.[21]
Additionally, the Squadron provided training for over one hundred and fifty helicopter maintainers each year before deploying them to the front lines. Both aircrew and maintainers underwent military and amphibious training, learning to operate effectively in the field and from the deck of a ship.[21]
848 Naval Air Squadron disbanded in 2013.[22]
It reformed on 1 May 2015 as an operational Sea King HC.4 squadron; this was to allow 845 Squadron to convert to theAW-101 Merlin without a loss of operational capability.[23]
This marked it as the final Commando Sea King squadron. Following training exercises both in the UK and internationally, only one of the remaining aircraft was retained and the helicopter, serial number ZA298, was subsequently donated to theFleet Air Arm Museum. The last green 'Junglie' Sea Kings flew over RNAS Yeovilton on 24 March 2016 to salute the squadron decommissioning. The official disbandment of the squadron occurred in June 2016.[18][24]
The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions:[14][25]
The followingBattle Honours have been awarded to 848 Naval Air Squadron:
848 Naval Air Squadron was assigned as needed to form part of a number of larger units:[31]
List ofcommanding officers of 848 Naval Air Squadron:[25]
1943 - 1945
1952 - 1956
1958 - 1963
1964 - 1976
1982
1990 - 1991
1995 - 2013
2015 - 2016
Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[32]
The squadron had a number of affiliations:[33]
