1700 Naval Air Squadron

1700 Naval Air Squadron
Badge
Active	November 1944–1946 2017–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Type	Non-flying squadron
Role	Engineering, aviation and logistical support
Part of	Fleet Air Arm
Home station	RNAS Culdrose
Motto(s)	Auxilio ad alta (Latin for 'Reaching the heights with help')
Battle honours	Burma 1945
Website	Official website
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant Commander Richard Turrell

1700 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy was formed in November 1944 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as an amphibian bomber reconnaissance squadron. ^[1] It was equipped with the Supermarine Sea Otter, and the squadron joined HMS Khedive in January 1945 bound for Sulur in India. On arrival the Sea Otters were augmented with Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft. ^[1]

The squadron's aircraft were distributed among the escort carriers of the Far East Fleet for air sea rescue and minesweeping duties. By April 1945 aircraft of the squadron were serving in HM Ships Stalker, Hunter , Khedive, Emperor, Ameer, Attacker and Shah. ^[1] July saw operations at Car Nicobar, and off Phuket Island. ^[2]

Present day

On 31 October 2017, the Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF) at RNAS Culdrose was recommissioned as 1700 Naval Air Squadron. The unit provides personnel and naval aviation support to operations for ships and land bases globally. ^[3]

Aircraft flown

1700 Naval Air Squadron flew 2 different aircraft types:

• Supermarine Sea Otter
• Supermarine Walrus

References

1. "1700 NAS at the Fleet Air Arm Archive website". Archived from the original on 19 June 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
2. Brown, J. D. (May 2009). Carrier Operations in World War II. Seaforth Publishing. p. 91. ISBN   978-1-84832-042-0.
3. "Maritime Aviation Support Unit becomes 1700 Squadron". Royal Navy. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.

External links

• "1700 NAS". Royal Navy.
• "A History of 1700 Naval Air Squadron". The Royal Navy Research Archive. 26 September 2021.