849 Naval Air Squadron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 849 Naval Air Squadron |
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| Active | 1943-1945, 1952-1978, 1984-2020 |
| Country | UK |
| Branch | Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm |
| Type | Carrier based squadron |
| Role | Airborne Early Warning |
| Size | 3 flights |
| Garrison/HQ | RNAS Culdrose |
| Motto(s) | Primus video (Latin: "The first to see") |
| Anniversaries | none |
| Engagements | Normandy 1944, Palembang 1945, Okinawa 1945, Japan 1945, Iraq 2003 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
L/C(A) K G Sharp RN Lt Cdr Charles Gidley Wheeler (Senior Pilot, 1969-1970) |
849 Naval Air Squadron was a special group of planes and pilots in the Royal Navy. This group was part of the Fleet Air Arm, which is like the air force for the British Navy.
The squadron first started during World War II. Back then, they flew planes that launched torpedoes from aircraft carriers. They helped fight against targets in the Far East. After the war, they changed their job. They became an airborne early warning (AEW) squadron. This means their planes could spot enemies from far away in the sky. They used different types of planes and helicopters for this important role.
Contents
Squadron History
World War II Missions
849 Naval Air Squadron began on August 1, 1943. They started in Rhode Island, USA, with Grumman Avenger planes. These planes were used for bombing and finding submarines.
First, they helped protect the English Channel during the D-Day operations in 1944. This was a very important time in the war.
Later in 1944, the squadron moved to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). They joined the British Eastern Fleet. They flew from the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious. This ship later became part of the British Pacific Fleet.
In January 1945, they attacked oil places in Sumatra. These attacks were called Operation Lentil and Operation Meridian. They were important for stopping the enemy's fuel supply.
The squadron also helped with the American invasion of Okinawa. From March to May 1945, they attacked airfields. These airfields were used by Japanese Kamikaze planes. Still on Victorious, 849 Squadron also bombed targets in Japan in July and August. They badly damaged a Japanese ship called Kaiyo. The squadron finished its first service on October 31, 1945.
Early Warning in the Sky (1953-1978)
The squadron started again on July 7, 1953. They were at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose. This time, they flew Douglas Skyraider planes. These planes were used for Airborne Early Warning (AEW). They could spot things far away in the sky.
These planes flew from many Royal Navy aircraft carriers. These included HMS Ark Royal, Bulwark, and Eagle.
After 1960, the squadron started using Fairey Gannet AEW.3 planes. They did the same AEW job. These planes also flew from carriers like HMS Eagle and Ark Royal. The squadron had smaller groups, called detachments, on different ships. The squadron stopped service again on December 15, 1978.
In 1970, two pilots from 849 Squadron, Lt Terry Adams and Lt Howard Draper, flew a hot air balloon. It was called Bristol Belle. They carried mail to Malta from the Ark Royal.
Helicopter Early Warning (1984-2018)
The squadron started up again on November 8, 1984. This was after important lessons from the 1982 South Atlantic conflict. This time, they used Westland Sea King Mk7 helicopters. These helicopters were for Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC). They could watch and control things from the air.
The squadron was based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall. They had nine helicopters. The squadron was split into three parts: A Flight, B Flight, and the training unit. Usually, one flight was on each of the Royal Navy's active aircraft carriers.
During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the squadron faced a difficult event. Two of their helicopters had a mid-air collision. This happened while flying from HMS Ark Royal. Sadly, several people from the squadron and an American officer lost their lives.
On December 13, 2006, A Flight became 854 Squadron. B Flight became 857 Squadron. They took the Sea King ASaC.7 helicopters with them.
In May 2014, the Ministry of Defence said that seven ASaC.7 helicopters would stay in service. 849 Naval Air Squadron would operate them until 2018. In 2015, 854 and 857 Squadrons rejoined 849 Naval Air Squadron. They became 'Normandy' and 'Palembang' flights. The third flight was named 'Okinawa Flight'.
Final Years
For a short time in 2020, 849 NAS used a single Augusta Westland Merlin HM Mk2 helicopter. This was to prepare for a new ASaC system. 849 NAS officially stopped its operations on April 21, 2020.
Aircraft Used
The squadron flew many different aircraft during its history:
- Grumman Avenger I & II
- Douglas Skyraider AEW.1
- Fairey Gannet AEW.3, AS.4, COD.4 & T.5
- Westland Sea King AEW.2/2A
- Westland Sea King ASaC Mk7
- Augusta Westland Merlin HM Mk2
