707 Naval Air Squadron

707 Naval Air Squadron
A Westland Wessex HU.5 of 707 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton during 1974
Active20 February 1945 - 1 October 1945
9 September 1964 -9 February 1995[1]
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeFleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron
Role
  • Radar Trials Unit
  • Advanced and Operational Flying Training (AFT/ OFT) Commando helicopter squadron
SizeSquadron
Part ofFleet Air Arm
Home stationSee Naval air stations section for full list.
Insignia
Identification MarkingsO7A+ (Swordfish)
O8A+ (Barrcuda)
AH8A+ (Avenger)[2]
M-Z (Wessex single letters to July 1971)
WA-WB, WM-WZ (to April 1982)
ZA+ (Wessex / Sea King from 1982)[3]
Tail CodesCU (1964 – 1972)
VL (1972 – 1995)[4]
Aircraft flown
Bomber
Multirole helicopter
TrainerAvro Anson

707 Naval Air Squadron (707 NAS) was a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN) 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 (AFT/ OFT) Commando helicopter squadron.

History of 707 NAS

Radar Trials Unit (1945)

707 Naval Air Squadron formed at RNAS Burscough (HMS Ringtail) on 20 February 1945, out of 'B' Flight of 735 Naval Air Squadron, as a Radar Trials Unit. HMS Ringtail was the home to the Naval School of Airborne Radar, and was responsible for airborne radar, including both air-to-surface-vessel (ASV) and aircraft interception (AI) radars, and also the airborne radar training of aircrews.[2]

The squadron was initially equipped with Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber aircraft, Fairey Barracuda torpedo and dive bomber aircraft and Grumman Avenger, an American torpedo bomber, these were later augmented with radar-equipped Avro Anson, a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft. [5] The squadron moved to RNAS Gosport (HMS Siskin) on 14 August 1945, and then later disbanded, being merged into 778 Naval Air Squadron in October.[2]

Advanced and Operational Flying Training (1964 - 1995)

707 Naval Air Squadron reformed In December 1964, at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), out of the disbanded 847 Naval Air Squadron. Operating with Westland Wessex HU.5 helicopter, a British Licence-built development of the American Sikorsky H-34 helicopter, it was tasked as an Advanced and Operational Flying Training (AFT/ OFT) Commando helicopter squadron. Its primary task was teaching to Royal Navy and Royal Marines Commando pilots but it was also responsible for communications work, development flying and weapons trials. It also trained Westland Wessex helicopter aircrew for operation in Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and took part in exercises with Army units.[5]

The squadron relocated to RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) in May 1972. In the summer of 1974 it picked up search and rescue duties and in the July, the Red Dragon Flight was formed. The Flight was equipped with two helicopters and it provided a three-month long conversion course for HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales. Upon conclusion it transferred to 845 Naval Air Squadron, along with His Royal Highness.[5]

Westland Sea King HC.4 ‘ZA314 WT’ (G-CMDO), which saw part of its operational service with 707 NAS

In April 1982, 848 Naval Air Squadron reformed out of a large part of 707 Naval Air Squadron and then the former saw active service during the Falklands War. The squadron re-equipped with Westland Sea King HC.4 helicopter, a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter, from October 1983 and eventually the Wessex Commando training was moved onto 771 Naval Air Squadron, in September 1985. Mountain flying training included detachments to Landsberg-Lech Air Base in Bavaria, in Germany and locations around Saint-Raphaël, Var and Saillagouse in southern France. Military and weapons training detachments were home based at Castlemartin Training Area and Dartmoor Training Area (DTA), and Deck Landing Practice was done using Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.[5]

707 Naval Air Squadron again provided support for 848 Naval Air Squadron which deployed during the Gulf War, with personnel and helicopters. In October 1993 it also deployed three helicopters to RAF Aldergrove in support of security operations, but this was withdrawn when 846 Naval Air Squadron took the role on in April 1994. In February 1995 the squadron disbanded becoming 848 Naval Air Squadron.[5]

Aircraft operated

The squadron operated a variety of different aircraft and versions:[1]

707 Naval Air Squadron operated from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force stations, in the United Kingdom and overseas:[5]

1945

1964 - 1995

Ship Flights

707 Naval Air Squadron operated a number of ships’ flights:[3]

Commanding Officers

List of Commanding Officers of 707 Naval Air Squadron with month and year of appointment:[2][3]

1945

1964 - 1994

  • Lieutenant Commander D.J. Lickfold, MBE, RN from 9 December 1964
  • Lieutenant Commander P.J. Craig, RN from 14 June 1965
  • Lieutenant Commander P.D. Deller, RN from 21 February 1966
  • Lieutenant Commander B.B. Hartwell, RN from 6 September 1967
  • Lieutenant Commander N.S. Foster, RN from 12 March 1969
  • Lieutenant Commander R.E. Smith, MBE, RN from 1 June 1970
  • Lieutenant Commander G.S. Clarke, RN from 25 February 1972
  • Lieutenant Commander P.A. Voute, RN from 21 August 1973
  • Lieutenant Commander R.F. Sheriff, RN from 19 December 1974
  • Lieutenant Commander P.J.W. Stevens, RN from 24 June 1976
  • Lieutenant Commander M. Kenworthy, RN from 6 March 1978
  • Lieutenant Commander S.C. Thornewill, RN from 15 April 1980
  • Lieutenant Commander D.E.P. Baston, RN from 18 November 1981
  • Lieutenant Commander N.P.R. Maddox, RN from 12 May 1982
  • Lieutenant Commander D.E.P. Baston, AFC, RN from 1 July 1982
  • Lieutenant Commander S Radley, RN from 1 June 1984
  • Lieutenant Commander J Beattie, RN from 17 June 1986
  • Lieutenant Commander G.R.N. Foster, RN from 8 November 1988
  • Lieutenant Commander R.I. Horton AFC, RN from 9 October 1990
  • Lieutenant Commander D.A. Lord MBE, RN from 29 September 1993
  • became 848 Naval Air Squadron - 9 February 1995

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 30.
  2. ^ a b c d Wragg 2019, p. 114.
  3. ^ a b c Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 17.
  4. ^ "707 Squadron". helis.com. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Ballance, Howard & Sturtivant 2016, p. 16.

Bibliography

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