814 Naval Air Squadron

Last updated

814 Naval Air Squadron
814 Naval Air Squadron Crest.png
Squadron badge
Active
  • 1938–1942
  • 1944–1970
  • 1973–2000
  • 2001 – present
CountryFlag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
BranchNaval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
TypeHelicopter flying squadron
Role Anti submarine warfare
Part of Fleet Air Arm
Home station RNAS Culdrose
Nickname(s)'The Flying Tigers'
Motto(s)In hoc signo vinces (Latin for 'In this sign you will conquer')
Aircraft AgustaWestland Merlin HM2
Battle honours Atlantic (1940)
Website 814 Naval Air Squadron
Commanders
Current
commander		 Commander Amy Gaunt

814 Naval Air Squadron or 814 NAS, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It is currently equipped with the AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 anti-submarine warfare helicopter and is based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall. The squadron was formed in December 1938 and has been disbanded and reformed several times.

Contents

Role and equipment

814 Naval Air Squadron operates the AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter and is based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall. In addition to its ASW role, it has capabilities in anti-piracy operations, delivery of humanitarian aid, casualty evacuation, medium lift under-slung loads (up to 3.8 tonnes), search and rescue, counter drugs and maritime patrol and security operations. The Merlin can be armed with BAE Systems Sting Ray torpedoes, Mark 11 depth charges and the Browning M3m .50 calibre machine gun. [1] [2]

The squadron has over 200 personnel assigned to it and is the largest ever Merlin Fleet Air Arm squadron. [2]

History

A Fairey Barracuda Mk II of 814 NAS, flying over HMS Venerable and an attendant destroyer, the Italian Alfredo Oriani. Fairey Barracuda II of 814 Squadron.jpg
A Fairey Barracuda Mk II of 814 NAS, flying over HMS Venerable and an attendant destroyer, the Italian Alfredo Oriani.

Second World War

814 Naval Air Squadron was formed in December 1938 as a torpedo reconnaissance squadron equipped with six Fairey Swordfish Mk I. [3]

West Africa

Originally embarked on aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal in January 1939, it transferred to HMS Hermes at the outbreak of the Second World War. HMS Hermes set sail for West Africa where the squadron helped search for the German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee . It also took part in the Battle of Dakar, damaging the Vichy French battleship Richelieu on 8 July 1940. [4] Heavy anti-aircraft fire meant the squadron only achieved a single hit, however the battleship was out-of-action for over a year as a result. [5] For its participation in the Battle of the Atlantic during 1940, the squadron received its only battle honour. [6]

Indian Ocean

HMS Hermes and the squadron travelled to the Indian Ocean in December 1940. The squadron went on to provide support for land forces in British Somaliland in East Africa, during which five enemy merchant ships were captured. In May 1941, the squadron provided support to the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Iraq and later provided convoy protection in the Indian Ocean. In April 1942, while the squadron was ashore, HMS Hermes was sunk by Japanese aircraft off Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) whilst transiting between Trincomalee and the Maldives. 814 NAS subsequently disbanded during December 1942 at Katukurunda in Ceylon. [3] [7]

Far East

The squadron reformed at RNAS Stretton in Cheshire during July 1944, now equipped with the Fairey Barracuda Mk II, a torpedo and dive bomber. It embarked on HMS Venerable in March 1945 and headed to the Far East for patrols, although seeing no action for the rest of the war. [3] [7]

Cold War

In post-war years, the squadron was equipped with the Fairey Firefly, Grumman Avenger and Fairey Gannet in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role on-board HMS Vengeance, receiving the Boyd Trophy for its high standard of operational efficiency in 1951. [3]

In 1960, the squadron continued in the ASW role and was equipped with its first helicopter, the Westland Whirlwind HAS.7, later replaced with the Westland Wessex HAS.1. [5] The Wessex HAS.3 was introduced in 1967, providing the squadron with its first radar-equipped helicopter. During this time, the squadron was embarked on HMS Victorious and HMS Hermes to patrol east of the Suez. In 1968, 814 NAS was again awarded the Boyd Trophy, on this occasion for achieving a high state of operational effectiveness at sea with the Wessex HAS.3. The squadron decommissioned for a second time in July 1970. [3]

Sea King

The squadron reformed at RNAS Prestwick (HMS Gannet) in Aryshire during March 1973, equipped with four Westland Sea King HAS.1 helicopters, a variant specialising in ASW. It embarked on tours of duty with HMS Bulwark and HMS Hermes, assisting with the evacuation of British citizens during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. [3] That same year the squadron received the Australia Shield for its high standard of operational readiness. The Sea King HAS.2 was introduced in 1977, making the squadron the first in the Royal Navy to operate a helicopter with passive sonar equipment. 814 NAS relocated from Prestwick to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose in Cornwall on 9 April 1976 and has since remained there. By the end of 1976 the unit strength had increased to nine helicopters. [3]

Two AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 of 814 NAS landing on HMS Illustrious during Exercise Joint Warrior in 2012. Note the tiger markings on the aircraft noses. Merlin Helicopters with 814 Naval Air Squadron on HMS Illustrious MOD 45153852.jpg
Two AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 of 814 NAS landing on HMS Illustrious during Exercise Joint Warrior in 2012. Note the tiger markings on the aircraft noses.

The squadron became a full member of the NATO Tiger Association in 1979, an organisation with the aim of promoting solidarity between air-forces of NATO. [8]

By the time of the Falklands War in April 1982, the upgraded Sea King HAS.5 had entered service with the squadron and in August 1982 it embarked on HMS Illustrious for South Atlantic patrols. Capability was further enhanced in October 1990 when 814 NAS re-equipped with the Sea King HAS.6. This variant of the Sea King saw action with the squadron whilst operating from the carrier HMS Invincible during the Gulf War in 1991 and later in the Bosnian War and Kosovo Wars. In December 2000, the unit was decommissioned for the third time. [3] [5]

21st century

The squadron was reformed in October 2001 at RNAS Culdrose, now equipped with the AgustaWestland Merlin HM1. The Merlin replaced the Fleet Air Arm's anti-submarine warfare Sea Kings and is designed to be deployed aboard ships or operate from shore in a variety of maritime roles. [5]

The squadron's Merlin's have seen operational service aboard HMS Illustrious, during the Iraq War (Operation Telic) and in the wider Persian Gulf area. In May 2012 it was involved in Exercise Joint Warrior off the coast of Scotland again with HMS Illustrious. [9]

The London 2012 Olympics saw the squadron deploy to RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset to perform maritime security operations. Yeovilton's location allowed the squadron's Merlins to quickly access amphibious transport dock HMS Bulwark, which was acting as the police command unit for the Olympic Sailing Regatta taking place in Weymouth Bay. [10] [11]

During December 2014, the Merlin HM1 was replaced with the Merlin HM2. [12] The upgraded aircraft features a new mission system, digital cockpit, electro-optical camera and multi-static sonar system.

For a two-week period in early 2016, two aircraft and over sixty personnel from 814 NAS took part if Exercise Dynamic Manta 16 in the Mediterranean. Based at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicilly, the unit worked alongside eight other NATO nations during the major anti-submarine warfare exercise. [13] The squadron returned for the 2017 exercise, when they were again based at Sigonella and the 2018 exercise, when they were based at Catania - Fontanarossa Naval Air Station, also in Sicily. [14] [15]

The aircraft and personnel of 829 Naval Air Squadron, also based at RNAS Culdrose, merged with 814 NAS in March 2018, creating the largest ever Merlin Fleet Air Arm squadron. [2]

Aircraft operated

The squadron has operated a variety of different aircraft and variants. [16]

Squadron traditions and affiliations

A Westland Sea King HAS6 of 814 NAS in a tiger colour-scheme, representing the unit's status as a member of the NATO Tiger Association. Westland Sea King HAS6, UK - Navy AN1173281.jpg
A Westland Sea King HAS6 of 814 NAS in a tiger colour-scheme, representing the unit's status as a member of the NATO Tiger Association.

Traditions

The squadron nickname is 'the Flying Tigers' and its badge features a tiger's head, representing its membership of the NATO Tiger Association.

Affiliations

The following organisations are affiliated with the squadron. [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fleet Air Arm</span> Aviation arm of the Royal Navy

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN). The FAA is one of five RN fighting arms. As of 2023 it is a predominantly "rotary" force, with helicopters undertaking roles once performed by biplanes such as the Fairey Swordfish. It operates the F-35 Lightning II for maritime strike and the AW159 Wildcat and AW101 Merlin for commando and anti-submarine warfare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Westland Sea King</span> Military helicopter, 1969-present

The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines, British-made anti-submarine warfare systems and a fully computerised flight control system. The Sea King was primarily designed for performing anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. A Sea King variant known as the Commando was developed by Westland to serve as a troop transport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AgustaWestland AW101</span> Multi-role helicopter family by AgustaWestland

The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter in military and civil use. First flown in 1987, it was developed by a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy in response to national requirements for a modern naval utility helicopter. Several operators, including the armed forces of Britain, Denmark, and Portugal, use the name Merlin for their AW101 aircraft. It is manufactured at factories in Yeovil, England, and Vergiate, Italy. Licensed assembly work has also taken place in Japan and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">849 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)</span> Royal Naval Air Station in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">700 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

700 Naval Air Squadron is an experimental test squadron in the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">846 Naval Air Squadron</span> Flying squadron of the Royal Navy

846 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">847 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">848 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

848 Naval Air Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It operated the Westland Sea King HC.4 helicopter and previously provided advanced flying training to pilots for the other squadrons in the Commando Helicopter Force. The squadron was based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and was decommissioned on 24 March 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">771 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

771 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm was formed on 24 May 1939 at Lee-on-Solent as a Fleet Requirements Unit with 14 Fairey Swordfish TSR biplanes. The Squadron carried out various exercises with ships and provided towed targets for naval air gunners and was decommissioned on 22 March 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">750 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">815 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

815 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron flying the AgustaWestland Wildcat HMA.2 helicopter and is the Navy's front line Wildcat Naval Air Squadron. The squadron is based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The squadron is capable of carrying out multiple roles such as: counter-narcotics, anti-piracy, Above Surface Warfare (ASW), search and rescue, disaster relief and flying and engineering training. In the early 2000s, the Navy said that the squadron was largest helicopter squadron in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">829 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

829 Naval Air Squadron was a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Before it was decommissioned in March 2018, it operated the AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">820 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">705 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

705 Naval Air Squadron was first formed as a flight in 1936 from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force and operated Swordfish torpedo bombers from battlecruisers. It achieved squadron status in 1939 before being disbanded in 1940. The squadron was re-formed briefly in 1945 and then again in 1947 as a fleet requirements unit to evaluate naval use of helicopters. Since the 1950s the squadron has been involved in the basic training of helicopter aircrew, and currently forms part of No. 1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">824 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

824 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron based at RNAS Culdrose and currently operating the AgustaWestland Merlin HM2 Operational Conversion Unit. It trains aircrew in Anti-Submarine warfare and Airborne Surveillance and Control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">826 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">737 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">706 Naval Air Squadron</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">744 Naval Air Squadron</span> Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Squadron

744 Naval Air Squadron is a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was initially active in 1943, based in Nova Scotia. A second 744 NAS was formed, in early 1944, in Northern Ireland, for Merchant Aircraft Carrier training, meaning the first iteration was re-designated 754 NAS. The squadron's primary focus turned to Anti-submarine warfare training, which then further developed into trialing new submarine detection technology, ending in 1956. In 2018 it reformed as the Mission Systems and Armament Test and Evaluation Squadron.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "Merlin Mk 2". Royal Navy. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 "Maritime Merlin Force Getting Ready For Carrier Strike". Royal Navy. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "814 : History". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  4. ↑ "814 squadron". Fleet Air Arm Archive. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. 1 2 3 4 "814 Naval Air Squadron". Royal Navy. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  6. ↑ "Current FAA Squadron Battle Honours". Fleet Air Arm Officers Association. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Fleet Air Arm Archive – 814 Squadron Profile". Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "814 Naval Air Squadron". Nato Tigers. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "Mongoose in Tigers' Claws". Royal Navy. 24 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  10. ↑ "Squadron moves to RNAS Yeovilton". BBC News. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  11. ↑ "Navy ship in Olympic exercises". BBC News. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  12. ↑ "# 1434, Merlin HM2, 814 Sqn". Squadron Prints. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  13. ↑ "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Submarine". Royal Navy. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  14. ↑ "Royal Navy helicopter captures Mount Etna eruption using submarine hunting kit". Royal Navy. 17 March 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  15. ↑ "Sicilian sub-hunt is on for Royal Navy Aviators". Royal Navy. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  16. ↑ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 174.
  17. ↑ "814 NAS – Affiliations". Royal Navy. Retrieved 29 March 2018.

Bibliography

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