Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton | |||||||||
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| Yeovilton, Somerset in England | |||||||||
 AnMerlin HC3 of846 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton during 2016 | |||||||||
_badge.JPG){kind=icon} Badge of HMSHeron | |||||||||
| Site information | |||||||||
| Type | Royal Naval Air Station | ||||||||
| Owner | Ministry of Defence | ||||||||
| Operator | Royal Navy | ||||||||
| Controlled by | Fleet Air Arm | ||||||||
| Open to the public | restricted | ||||||||
| Condition | operational | ||||||||
| Website | Official website | ||||||||
| Location | |||||||||
  RNAS Yeovilton Location in Somerset Show map of Somerset RNAS Yeovilton RNAS Yeovilton (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom | |||||||||
| Coordinates | 51°00′31″N002°38′16″W / 51.00861°N 2.63778°W /51.00861; -2.63778 | ||||||||
| Area | 452 hectares (1,120 acres) | ||||||||
| Site history | |||||||||
| Built | 1939 (1939) – 1941 | ||||||||
| In use | 1941 – present | ||||||||
| Garrison information | |||||||||
| Current commander | Commodore Niall Griffin | ||||||||
| Airfield information | |||||||||
| Identifiers | IATA: YEO,ICAO: EGDY,WMO: 038530 | ||||||||
| Elevation | 22.8 metres (75 ft)AMSL | ||||||||
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| Source:UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication[1] | |||||||||
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, commonly referred to asRNAS Yeovilton, (IATA:YEO,ICAO:EGDY) (HMSHeron) is anairbase of theRoyal Navy, sited a few miles north ofYeovil, in theEnglish county ofSomerset. It is one of two activeFleet Air Arm bases, the other beingRNAS Culdrose. RNAS Yeovilton is currently home to the Royal NavyWildcat HMA2, along withArmy Air CorpsWildcat AH1 helicopters, as well as the Royal Navy'sCommando Helicopter ForceMerlin HCi3/4/4A andWildcat AH1 helicopters.
The site consists of 1,000 acres (1.6 square miles; 4.0 square kilometres) ofairfield sites, plus ranges and minor estates. Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton is a large multi-role air station, with an annual budget of some£61 million. The airfield is also home to theFleet Air Arm Museum, and until 2019 the station hosted an annualAir Day in July.
In 1938; 88 years ago (1938), the potential of the land at Yeovilton for use as an airfield was spotted byWestland Aircraft's chieftest pilotHarald Penrose, and an offer was made to buy the land. The owners, however, theEcclesiastical Commissioners of theChurch of England, refused to sell it. In1939, the Admiralty Air Division commandeered 417acres (169hectares) of the land, and work began on the construction of the site. Therunways being completed in1941, despite problems with poor drainage. A main runway of 3,645feet (1,111metres) and three subsidiary runways each of 3,000 feet (914 metres) had been constructed.[2]
750 Naval Air Squadron was formed atRNAS Ford on 24 May 1939; 86 years ago (1939-05-24), from theRoyal Navy Observer School, but after Ford was bombed early in the war, it moved to RNAS Yeovilton.[3] They were joined by751 and752 Squadrons, with theNaval Air Fighter School soon following. In addition, Westland Aircraft developed a repair facility at the site.
From 1940 on, the site was subjected toLuftwaffe bombing on several occasions.794 Naval Air Squadron was the first to be formed at the base, and served to train other squadrons to practise aerial gunnery, and part of one of the runways was marked up as a flight deck to practise landing on an aircraft carrier.827 Naval Air Squadron was also stationed at Yeovilton operatingFairey Albacores and laterBarracudas starting in May1943, becoming the first squadron to receive Barracudas in any substantial number.[2] Several units which were preparing for embarkation were also stationed at the site during theSecond World War. Because of pressure on space at the airfield, satellite sites were set up atCharlton Horethorne andHenstridge in 1942. A centre for Air Direction Radar was also established at Speckington Manor on the edge of the airfield.[2]
After the end of the war, Yeovilton became one of the main demobilisation centres for the Royal Navy, with many of the men helping to refurbish the runways while they stayed at the base. In1952, Yeovilton became the shore base for the fleets' all-weather fighters. The runways were further extended byTaylor Woodrow in 1952 and1957 to cope with jet aircraft. In May1953, it became the headquarters of Flag Officer Flying Training.[4]
During the 1960s, further development work was undertaken, with the School of Fighter Direction returning to the site, and theSea Venoms being replaced by thede Havilland Sea Vixens then in turn, by thePhantom FG1 as a carrier-borne fighter. The 1970s saw theFlag Officer, Naval Air Command (FONAC), transferring fromRNAS Lee-on-Solent. Royal Navy fixed wing operations were phased out, and thePhantoms transferred to theRoyal Air Force (RAF). The base remained as the home of the Commando Helicopter Squadrons, using theWessex HU5 and later theSea King HC4, and the fixed wingFleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit (FRADU), and became the main shore base for the Navy's fleet ofSea Harrier FRS1 (and later, FA2). A ski-jump (now removed) was installed to enable practice ofski-jump assisted take-offs.[4]
In the mid 1980s,Defence Estates announced that many of the Royal Navy ratings married quarters at RNAS Yeovilton were surplus to requirements. As a result, The Welbeck Estate Group acquired in the nearby town ofIlchester two entire estates of apartments in Hermes Place and Lyster Close that were used by personnel at HMSHeron. (Note that while 'HMS' is typically a designation for a ship, the Royal Navy also used it for land-based establishments, known as a 'stone frigate'.) These were refurbished and sold to local buyers.[5][6]
Since 1993, theFleet Air Arm's Memorial Church has been theChurch of St Bartholomew in Yeovilton.[7]
800 Naval Air Squadron,801 Naval Air Squadron, and899 Naval Air Squadron (training) which operated theBAE Sea Harrier FA2 and T8 were disbanded in 2006. The replacement carrier-borne aircraft, theLockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, will be operated fromRAF Marham, and was due to enter service in 2018, when it will equip theQueen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
In July 2006,Sea King HC4 helicopters from RNAS Yeovilton were deployed to Cyprus onOperation Highbrow to assist with the evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon.[8] Following the closure ofRNAS Portland (HMSOsprey) in 1999, HMSHeron became the main shore base for theLynx fleet.[4]
In 2013,NATO's Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff was established at Yeovilton. The organisation provides NATO withelectronic warfare policy, advice and support.[9]
TheStrategic Defence and Security Review 2010 recommended that in order to replace the Navy's ageingWestland Sea King HC4's which formed the Commando Helicopter Force at Yeovilton, the RAF'sAgustaWestland AW101 Merlin fleet should be transferred from the Royal Air Force to theRoyal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. To gain experience of operating and maintaining the Merlin, Royal Navy aircrew and engineers were integrated into the Merlin Force atRAF Benson during 2012.[10]
The Merlin fleet was officially handed over to the Navy during a ceremony at Benson on 30 September 2014.[10] The ceremony marked the disbandment of the RAF'sNo. 78 Squadron, and its replacement at Benson with846 Naval Air Squadron. During July 2015,845 Naval Air Squadron reformed at Benson and replacedNo. 28 Squadron of the RAF which also disbanded.
The Merlin arrived at Yeovilton when 846 NAS moved from Benson on 26 March 2015; 10 years ago (2015-03-26). In May of that year,848 Naval Air Squadron temporarily stood up with the remainingSea King HC4 to cover the last remaining Sea King operations, before the Sea King HC4 was finally retired and the squadron decommissioned on 24 March 2016.[11][12]
The last phase of the transition occurred when 845 NAS departed Benson for Yeovilton on 16 June 2016, bringing nearly 15 years of RAF Merlin operations to a close.[13][14]
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TheAgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat HMA2 began replacing theWestland Lynx HMA8 when the first production aircraft arrived at Yeovilton in January 2013.[15] Prior to that, in May 2009,700W NAS was formed at Yeovilton as the Wildcat Fielding Squadron. The squadron disbanded in July 2014 when it was merged with702 NAS to form825 NAS, the first operational Wildcat unit.[16] The final Wildcat HMA2 for the Royal Navy was delivered to 825 NAS in October 2016, bringing the total number of Royal Navy Wildcats to 28.[17] The Lynx was retired in March 2017.[18]
In October 2015, the consolidation of theArmy Air Corps (AAC) forArmy 2020 resulted in a large regular aviation regiment ofWildcat AH1 being based at RNAS Yeovilton. As such, all 62 UK military Wildcats on order will operate from Yeovilton.[19]1 Regiment AAC has returned fromGütersloh in Germany, and merged with9 Regiment AAC fromDishforth.[20] The current652 (Wildcat Fielding) Squadron will become 1 Regiment's WildcatOperational Conversion Unit. 1 Regiment will form part of the Army Air Corps' Aviation Reconnaissance Force along with5 Regiment AAC.
In order to allow the Army Air Corps to locate their Wildcat helicopters and 750 personnel at Yeovilton, extensive redevelopment of the station began in 2014. Known as Project WINFRA, the work involves eight separate contracts worth a total of £150 million and was undertaken byMott McDonald andCarillion.[21] Building 710, a new three-storey squadron building for 846 Naval Air Squadron was completed in March 2015. The refurbishment of technical facilities and the construction of new quarter master's stores, vehicle garages and facilities, ancillary buildings, a cycle path and car parks was completed and handed to the AAC in November 2015.[22] Building 661 is the new 1 Regiment headquarters, and provides accommodation for 659 Squadron and 661 Squadron.
In 2016, a new dental centre, a refurbished office building for 825 Naval Air Squadron, and a new build squadron building for 815 Naval Air Squadron were completed.[23] By January 2017, a 500 capacity Senior Rates Mess, Physical and Recreational Training Centre including a gym, Multi Use Games Area and 4G sports pitches and the refurbishment of the medical centre had been completed. Three blocks of Single Living Accommodation which can accommodate 400 personnel were finished in March 2017. In total, the project has provided 508 new single living accommodation bed spaces, and 130 service families accommodation bed spaces.[24]
TheRoyal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) was disbanded in March 2019, previously operating at RNAS Yeovilton since 1972.[25] Following its disbandment, the remaining aircraft were donated to theFly Navy Heritage Trust at an approximate value of £1,810,000.[26] With the aircraft having now been transferred to the civilian register, displays are now funded from charity events run by the Fly Navy Heritage Trust.
Yeovilton is home to the Royal NavyWildcat Maritime Force (MWF), Royal NavyCommando Helicopter Force (CHF), the Army's Aviation Reconnaissance Force (ARF), and elements of the Royal NavyFixed Wing Force. The station operates over 100aircraft, and is staffed by around 1675 service and 2000 civilian personnel, includingMinistry of Defence (MOD) employees and permanent contractors. Training of aircrew and engineers of resident aircraft types is also carried out at RNAS Yeovilton. It is also the location for the RN Fighter Controller School, training surface-based aircraft controllers.
Commando Helicopter Force has now returned to prioritising its main amphibious role in support ofRoyal Navy andRoyal Marines operations, after focusing on more than a decade of service in land campaigns inAfghanistan and prior to that inIraq.
During periods of busy flying training, pressure on the RNAS Yeovilton circuit is relieved by the use of nearbyRNAS Merryfield.
727 Naval Air Squadron operate theGrob Tutor T1 in the grading and elementary flying training role.
Until 2019 the station held an annualair show, allowing public access to the airfield. It included both a flying and static aircraft display. The air day traditionally ended with theCommando Helicopter Force role demonstration, which saw a mixture of aircraft and land forces demonstrate a land assault delivered from the air.[27]
Flying and notable non-flying units based at RNAS Yeovilton.[9][28][29][30]
Royal Navy[edit]
Joint Aviation Command –Fleet Air Arm
| British Army[edit]Joint Aviation Command –Army Air Corps
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
NATO[edit]Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE)
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TheMerlin HC3/3A fleet is currently undergoing an upgrade to HC4 and HC4A, to ensure the aircraft are fully capable of deploying in a maritime / amphibious role.[32] The differences between the remaining HC3 and (former Denmark-bound) HC3A will be almost eliminated in the HC4/4A upgrade, known as the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP). This will remove conversion training requirements, as both the HC4 and HC4A variants can be operated under the same training.[33]
Prior to the upgrade, seven of the airframes have been upgraded to the 'interim HC3' (HC3i), and are serving with 846 NAS. These aircraft are receiving the full upgrade after the remaining aircraft were upgraded to the HC4 and HC4A.[11] The upgraded and ship-optimised Merlin HC4 and HC4A aircraft are painted in Royal Navy grey, unlike their green 'Junglie' Sea King HC4 and Merlin HC3 predecessors. Full Operating Capability of the HC4 was delivered in December 2020, with all airframes expected to be delivered by 2023.[33]
Included:[34]
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