772 Naval Air Squadron | |
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![]() 772 NAS badge (1975) | |
Active | 28 September 1939 - 13 October 1948 6 September 1974 - 29 September 1995 [1] |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Type | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
Role |
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Size | Squadron |
Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
Insignia | |
Squadron Badge | White, issuant from water barry wavy of four blue and white an arm embowed proper vested white the hand grasping a trident gold impaled thereon a twin-engined aircraft black (1942) Blue, a pair of wings displayed white surmounted by a trident and a shepherds crook in saltire gold (1975) [2] |
Identification Markings | R3A+ (all types 1939-1941) K9A+ (all types 1942) M8A+ (all types from 1943) AR8A+ (all types from 1944) BR8A+ & BR0A+ (FRU School all types 1944-1945) 08A+ & 09A+ (all types from 1946) 501-509 (1947-1948) 510-517 (Wessex from September 1974) 610-617 (Wessex from March 1981) 610-617 (Sea King) (6)21-(6)28 (later on) [3] [2] |
Tail Codes | AO (1947-1948) PO (from September 1974) [2] |
772 Naval Air Squadron (772 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded during September 1995. 772 Naval Air Squadron formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit out of 'Y' Flight from 771 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) in September 1939. While the headquarters remained there, floatplanes were operated out of RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), however, mid 1940 saw the whole squadron move north to RNAS Campbeltown and roughly twelve months afterwards the short distance to RNAS Machrihanish. The unit moved to RNAS Ayr (HMS Wagtail) in July 1944 and became the Fleet Requirements Unit School. In January 1946 the squadron moved to RNAS Burscough (HMS Ringtail) in Lancashire, before moving to RNAS Anthorn (HMS Nuthatch) in Cumberland, in May. It became the Northern Fleet Requirements Unit upon moving to RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor), in June 1947, but disbanded into 771 Naval Air Squadron in October. 772 Naval Air Squadron reformed as a Helicopter Support Squadron at RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey) in September 1974. In September 1977 the squadron took over responsibility for a number of Ships' Flights of Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. The squadron was used to reform 848 Naval Air Squadron for the Falklands Task Force in 1982, with the Ships' Flights absorbed into 847 Naval Air Squadron. In August 1982 it took on the Anti-Submarine Warfare Flight from 737 Naval Air Squadron and between 1983 - 1985 a Search and Rescue Flight operated out of RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus).
772 Naval Air Squadron was formed on 28 September 1939, at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, as a Fleet Requirements Unit, out of 'Y' Flight of 771 Naval Air Squadron. It initially operated four floatplane variants of the Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber, out of RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey), Dorset, [3] mainly in support of target towing for naval gunnery purposes. However, with the attack and sinking of the merchant ship converted to anti-aircraft ship HMS Foylebank, in Portland harbour, in July 1940, naval activity in the area was reduced. [4] The same month then saw the squadron move north to Scotland and was based at RNAS Campbeltown in Argyll [2] and then on 15 June 1941 it relocated the short distance to RNAS Machrihanish (HMS Landrail). [5] The Fairey Swordfish were replaced by Blackburn Roc, a naval turret fighter aircraft. [3] Tasks included radar calibration and height finding exercises, along with target-towing and photography. [2] The squadron added Supermarine Walrus, an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft, to its strength, undertaking search and rescue operations. [3]
During 1942, Fairey Fulmar, a carrier-based reconnaissance and fighter aircraft, Vought Chesapeake, an American carrier-based dive bomber and Boulton Paul Defiant were received and the Fairey Swordfish returned to the Squadron. 1943 saw the addition of Miles Martinet, a dedicated target tug aircraft and in 1944 the squadron received both Bristol Blenheim, a twin-engined light bomber, and Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft. [3] On 27 May 1944, the squadron undertook a dummy attack on the fleet as part of an exercise in preparation for the Normandy landings. [2]
In July 1944, the squadron moved to RNAS Ayr (HMS Wagtail), in Ayrshire, where it operated a Fleet Requirements Unit School. Towards the end of 1944, it received Vought Corsair, an American carrier-based fighter bomber aircraft, Douglas Boston, an American light bomber and Fairey Firefly, a carrier-borne fighter and anti-submarine aircraft. The squadron had detachments based at RNAS Ronaldsway (HMS Urley), on the Isle of Man, in 1945 and that year also saw a significant change in aircraft types for the squadron, with only the Miles Martinet remaining from the initial types and the squadron receiving Grumman Wildcat, an American carrier-based fighter aircraft and de Havilland Mosquito, a multirole combat aircraft. [3]
772 Naval Air Squadron moved to RNAS Burscough (HMS Ringtail), Lancashire, England, in January 1946. The Grumman Wildcat, which were part of the lend-lease scheme, were replaced with Supermarine Seafire, a navalised version of the Supermarine Spitfire fighter aircraft. [2] Then on 3 May the squadron relocated to RNAS Anthorn (HMS Nuthatch), in the historic county of Cumberland, England. Here the squadron strength was sixteen aircraft, consisting two x Miles Martinet, six x Supermarine Seafire and eight x de Havilland Mosquito. [6] It remained for just over twelve months before moving to RNAS Arbroath (HMS Condor), Angus, Scotland, on 26 June 1947. [7] Here it was designated the Northern Fleet Requirements Unit and operated mainly de Havilland Mosquito PR.34. In October 1948 the squadron disbanded into 771 Naval Air Squadron. [2]
772 Naval Air Squadron reformed on 6 September 1974 at RNAS Portland (HMS Osprey). [8] It was equipped with six Westland Wessex HAS. 1, a licence built Sikorsky H-34 utility and anti-submarine warfare helicopter. The squadron had a number of tasks, providing helicopter support to both local Royal Navy and foreign warships, local sea area search and rescue operations, and UK wide helicopter detachments for security exercises. [2]
The squadron received Westland Wessex HU.5, a Royal Navy service troop transporter variant, replacing its HAS.1 in 1976. The following year 772 NAS took over parenting the Ships Flight's for three Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) logistical and operational support ships, from 707 Naval Air Squadron: the Tide-class replenishment oiler RFA Tidepool, the armament stores ship RFA Resource, and the supply ship RFA Regent. [2] Between 25 November and 19 December 1977, RFA Resource was involved in Operation Journeyman in the South Atlantic with its Westland Wessex equipped Flight embarked from 772 Naval Air Squadron. [9]
In 1982 parts of the squadron formed 848 Naval Air Squadron to increase the troop lift capability during the Falklands War with Westland Wessex HU.5. [10] The three RFA Flights were used in part to form 847 Naval Air Squadron, [2] however, when 737 Naval Air Squadron disbanded in February 1983, its Westland Wessex HAS.3, a Royal Navy anti-submarine version, were absorbed by 772 Naval Air Squadron. [11]
The squadron was tasked with Search and Rescue operations between 1983 and 1985, and formed a 'C' Flight for which was based at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus). During 1988 the Westland Wessex were withdrawn and Westland Sea King HC.4, a licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter by Westland, were received. [2] This variant was also known as Westland Commando and included a fixed undercarriage with a larger cabin. [12] 772 Naval Air Squadron operated for a further seven years and finally disbanded in 29 September 1995. [2]
The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions: [1] [13]
772 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air station of the Royal Navy, in the United Kingdom, a couple of Royal Navy Fleet Aircraft Carriers, Royal Fleet Auxiliary logistic and support ships and a number of Royal Air Force stations: [2] [8]
1939 - 1948
1974 - 1995
772 Naval Air Squadron operated a number of ships' flights: [14]
List of commanding officers of 772 Naval Air Squadron with day, month and year of appointment: [3] [13]
1939 - 1948
1974 - 1995
702 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in August 2014. It was last based at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset and earlier at HMS Osprey, RNAS Portland, Dorset. As a training squadron it trained all ground and air crew for the sister front-line maritime Lynx unit, 815 Naval Air Squadron. It initially formed during July 1936 as a Catapult Flight for the 2nd Battle Squadron based at RAF Mount Batten and routinely embarking in RN ships such as, HMS Nelson, HMS Rodney and HMS Resolution. By 1939 it was known as 702 Naval Air Squadron but disbanded in January 1940.
737 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially active during 1943 as an amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron. Reactivated in 1944 it operated as an ASV Training Unit until 1945. It was active again between 1949 and 1957. From 1959 it was the Anti-Submarine Warfare school at RNAS Portland. It operated Westland Wessex HAS.3 rescue helicopters from their land base at RNAS Portland, Dorset.
778 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. During the Second World War the squadron was a Service Trials Unit (STU) initially based at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, England before moving to HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, Angus, Scotland on 6 July 1940. The squadron tested all types of aircraft that could be used by the Royal Navy. Key to this was testing new types for deck landing on aircraft carriers. Such aircraft included various types of Supermarine Seafires, Grumman Hellcats, Grumman Martlets, Grumman Avengers, and Vought Corsairs. The squadron was reformed on 5 November 1951 with Douglas Skyraider AEW.1 but was disbanded on 7 July 1952 to form the basis of 849 Naval Air Squadron.
706 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Established as a fighter and torpedo-bomber training unit in Australia at the end of World War Two, it was briefly reformed as a helicopter squadron in the early 1950s, before becoming a helicopter training unit in 1962, and operating until 1998.
707 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded during February 1995. It was active during the Second World War forming during February 1945 as a Radar Trials Unit, disbanding in October of the same year. It reformed December 1964, as an Advanced and Operational Flying Training Commando helicopter squadron.
719 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It initially formed in 1944 as a Fighter Air Firing Training Squadron, at HMS Vulture, RNAS St Merryn, within the School of Air Combat, but at the start of 1945 it disbanded into 794 Naval Air Squadron. The squadron reformed in 1946 at HMS Owl, RNAS Fearn, as a Strike Training Squadron, before moving to HMS Gannet, RNAS Eglinton, where it became an Anti-submarine Training Squadron, disbanding there in 1949. The squadron reformed the following year at HMS Gannet as the Naval Air Anti-submarine School and remained there becoming the Naval Anti-Submarine Operational Flying School, eventually disbanding in 1959. However, in 1960, the squadron reformed, again at HMS Gannet, as the Joint Anti-submarine School Flight, this time operating helicopters. 719 Naval Air Squadron was granted first line status on 5 October 1961 and renumbered to 819 Naval Air Squadron.
728 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). It was formed at the beginning of May in 1943, as a Fleet Requirements Unit, at RN Air Section Gibraltar. It provided detachments at RN Air Section Tafaraoui, in Algeria and later at RAF Oujda in Morocco. Moving to HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila, in Egypt, during June, it then merged into 775 Naval Air Squadron during July. It reformed in August, again as a Fleet Requirements Unit, at HMS Grebe, moving immediately to RN Air Section Takali, Malta. It provided target towing both for the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet and the British Army, before later providing a detachment to tow targets for the United States Navy at Naples, Italy. The squadron remained on Malta, alternating between the airbases at Ta Kali, Luqa and Hal Far, until disbanding at the latter, in May 1967.
759 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was created on November 1, 1939, and was disbanded on December 24, 1969. It was initially intended as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron but became a Fighter School and Pool Squadron in 1939, at RNAS Eastleigh. It operated out of RNAS Yeovilton from 1940 to 1946, as part of the Naval Air Fighter School. In 1943 a detachment operated out of RNAS Angle, working with 794 NAS and known as the Naval Air Firing Unit. It was again the Naval Air Fighter School upon reformation in 1951 and disbandment in 1954, firstly at RNAS Culdrose and then moving to RNAS Lossiemouth, in 1953. The squadron reformed again, this time at RNAS Brawdy in 1963, as the Naval Advanced Flying Training School, before finally disbanding in 1969.
760 Naval Air Squadron is a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. The squadron first formed in April 1940 as No.1 Fleet Fighter Pool with a variety of aircraft types before standardising in 1941 on the Hawker Sea Hurricane. In this role it disbanded in December 1942. In May 1944 760 NAS briefly reformed as an Anti-Submarine Operational Training Squadron before disbanding into 766 Naval Air Squadron in November. Reformed again as part of No.1 Naval Air Fighter School in April 1945 it converted fighter pilots to the Vought Corsair and then the Supermarine Seafire until 23 January 1946 when it disbanded.
764 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It initially formed in April 1940, at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, as an Advance Seaplane Training Squadron. The Squadron moved to RAF Pembroke Dock in July 1940, and later to HMS Daedalus II, RNAS Lawrenny Ferry in October 1941 and remaining there until the Squadron disbanded in November 1943. It reformed at HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, in February 1944, as the User Trials Unit, however, the squadron was decommissioned for the second time in September 1945. 764 Naval Air Squadron reformed again, at HMS Fulmar, RNAS Lossiemouth, in May 1953, where it became an Advanced Training Unit. It moved to HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, in September 1953, where it received its first jet aircraft. In November 1954 the Squadron disbanded.
767 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially formed as a Deck Landing Training Squadron in 1939, when 811 Naval Air Squadron was renumbered 767 Naval Air Squadron, at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle. A detachment went to Hyeres de la Palyvestre in the south of France, enabling training in fairer conditions. While here, the squadron took on an operational mission, with a bombing attack on the Italian port of Genoa. With the fall of France the squadron evacuated to French Algeria, where it split. Part went to Malta, forming 830 Naval Air Squadron, the other part to HMS Ark Royal, with personnel returning to the UK via Gibraltar. The squadron regrouped at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, and moved to the Deck Landing School at HMS Peewit at RNAS East Haven in 1943.
768 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). It last disbanded at HMS Gannet, RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland, in March 1949, having been formed as a Deck Landing Control Officer Training Squadron, in December 1948, to ensure one American-style signal trained DLCO could be located at every FAA station. It first formed as part of the Deck Landing Training School at HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath, in January 1941, as a Deck Landing Training Squadron. Advanced training was in HMS Argus, for which a detachment was maintained at HMS Landrail, RNAS Machrihanish, where it wholly moved to in March 1943. September saw a move to RAF Heathfield, Ayr, followed by a further move to HMS Sanderling, RNAS Abbotsinch in January 1944. Training used escort carriers on the Firth of Clyde and a detachment was maintained at (Heathfield)Ayr throughout this period, with the squadron returning there in July 1945, at this time HMS Wagtail, RNAS Ayr. In August the squadron moved to HMS Corncrake, RNAS Ballyhalbert in Northern Ireland but then in October it joined up with the Deck Landing School at HMS Peewit, RNAS East Haven, Scotland, where it disbanded in April 1946.
770 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It last disbanded at HMS Nighthawk, RNAS Drem in October 1945. 770 Naval Air Squadron initially formed as a Deck Landing Training Squadron at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in November 1939. Embarked in HMS Argus, and operated from the aircraft carrier and Hyeres la Palyvestre in the south of France, until it disbanded in May 1940. It reformed at HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, on New Year’s Day 1941, as a Fleet Requirements Unit out of 771 Naval Air Squadron’s 'X' Flight. It moved to HMS Jackdaw, RNAS Crail, in June 1941, then two and half years later it moved to HMS Jackdaw II, RNAS Dunino in January 1944, before finally moving to HMS Nighthawk in July.
775 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in March 1946. 775 Naval Air Squadron formed at HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila, during November 1940, as a Fleet Requirements Unit in support of the Mediterranean Fleet, based at Alexandria, Egypt. Between October 1941 and March 1942 the squadron also included the RN Fighter Flight. It absorbed 728 Naval Air Squadron in July 1943 and moved to R.N.Air Section Gibraltar at the start of February 1944. The squadron returned to HMS Grebe, RNAS Dekheila during August 1945.
777 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, which formed as a Fleet Requirements Unit in West Africa during the Second World War. Throughout most of 1943, the squadron was responsible for the air defence of Sierra Leone. It disbanded at HMS Spurwing, RNAS Hastings, Sierra Leone, during December 1944. The squadron reformed in May 1945, from 'B' Flight of 778 Naval Air Squadron, as a Carrier Trials Unit operating aboard HMS Pretoria Castle, and using shore bases at HMS Siskin, RNAS Gosport, and HMS Peregrine, RNAS Ford in England, and HMS Wagtail, RNAS Ayr, in Scotland. 777 Naval Air Squadron number was assigned to the aircraft collection at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in April 2006.
780 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded at HMS Seahawk, RNAS Culdrose in November 1949. 780 Naval Air Squadron formed at HMS Raven, RNAS Eastleigh as a Conversion Course Unit, in October 1939, to train experienced civilian pilots in naval flying. It moved to HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, in October 1940, and later, its role had changed to converting pilots to Fairey Barracuda aircraft. It spent a year at RNAS Charlton Horethorne, before returning to HMS Daedalus and disbanded, early 1945. In March 1946, the squadron reformed at HMS Godwit, RNAS Hinstock, as the Naval Advanced Flying School, to give flying instructors' courses, and later provided Instrument Flying Training. In December, the squadron moved to HMS Jackdaw, RNAS Crail, then in March 1947 moved to HMS Merlin, RNAS Donibristle, and in May to HMS Seahawk as the first resident unit.
781 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded at the end of March 1981. Planned as a Reserve Amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance squadron, it formed as a Communications Unit in March 1940 and operated a large variety of aircraft. It provided a Bristol Beaufighter conversion course which eventually became 798 Naval Air Squadron and also had a ‘B’ Flight at Heathrow and then Heston aerodromes before becoming 701 Naval Air Squadron. After the Allied invasion of Normandy the squadron flew to various Royal Navy units on the continent and established an ‘X’ Flight based in France and then Germany. In July 1945 the squadron disbanded into 782 Naval Air Squadron although the ‘X’ Flight was moved to 799 Naval Air Squadron.
784 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which last disbanded in the autumn of 1946. 784 NAS was a Night Fighter Training Squadron which formed at HMS Daedalus, RNAS Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, in June 1942, moving to HMS Nighthawk, RNAS Drem, East Lothian, in October 1942. Squadron Personnel were also detached to the Naval Air Radio Installation Unit at RAF Christchurch, in 1943 and in the same year, a number of crews were attached to RAF night fighter squadrons, with two officers gained Distinguished Flying Crosses. In 1944, three squadron Flights were attached for service to each of 813, 825 and 835 Naval Air Squadrons, embarked in the escort carriers HMS Campania, HMS Vindex, and HMS Nairana respectively, on convoy protection duties. At the beginning of 1946 the squadron moved to Wales, operating out of HMS Goldcrest II, RNAS Brawdy.
787 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in January 1956. It formed in March 1941, at HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton, out of 804 Naval Air Squadron as a Fleet Fighter Development Unit. Almost every type of fighter was received by the squadron for testing and evaluation for naval use. A move to RAF Duxford in June 1941 saw it become the Naval Air Fighting Development Unit, attached to the Royal Air Force's Air Fighting Development Unit. The squadron undertook rocket projectile test, continuous development of fighter tactics and even helping Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons in evading fighter attack. Post Second World War it continued its trials task and also undertook Rebecca radar trials and ASH, US-built air-to-surface-vessel radar trials.
790 Naval Air Squadron was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm which disbanded in November 1949 at RNAS Culdrose. It initially formed during 1941 as an Air Target Towing Unit, at HMS Landrail, RNAS Macrihanish, in Scotland, from elements of two other Fleet Air Arm squadrons, however, this only lasted for three months and the unit was disbanded, absorbed into 772 Naval Air Squadron. It reformed the following year, in July 1942, tasked as a Fighter Direction Training Unit, at RNAS Charlton Horethorne. It provided support for the Fighter Direction School and had short spells at RAF Culmhead and RNAS Zeals, before reloacting to RNAS Dale in Pembrokeshire, next to the new purpose built Air Direction School, HMS Harrier or RNADC Kete, in 1945. The squadron moved to HMS Seahawk in Cornwall during December 1947.