845 Naval Air Squadron

845 Naval Air Squadron is one of two front-line Sea King squadrons of the Commando Helicopter Force, which was involved in the Navy's big deployment to the Mediterranean, Exercise Cougar 2012. This follows on from intensive tasking in the dry sands of Afghanistan, which has seen our helicopters provide support for Coalition ground forces by day and night around Helmand province, carrying troops and delivering vital supplies to outlying bases and evacuating casualties for immediate treatment.

The squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, consists of around 250 personnel – pilots, aircrewmen, engineers and technicians plus headquarters staff – responsible for ten Sea Kings Mk4s, split into five flights of two helicopters. 845 can deploy en masse as a whole squadron – or dispatch individual flights (helicopters, pilots, engineers) to ships or exercises around the world depending on what is required.

Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4

COMMANDING OFFICER

James Newton

RANK:
Commander

JOINED:
1991

SPECIALISATION:
Warfare (Pilot)

PREVIOUS UNITS:
658 Sqn AAC, 846, 847, 848 NAS

Military experience

Over more than twenty years in the Royal Navy, Cdr Jim Newton has flown numerous aircraft types. Initially these were the Gazelle and Scout helicopters with the Army Air Corps, including conducting drug enforcement operations and medevac flights in Belize.

He then completed his ‘Junglie’ training in 1995 and since joining the Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force he has flown both the Sea King Mk4 and the Lynx AH7 on tours around the world, including operations in Northern Ireland and Iraq. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on operations over the Al-Faw Peninsula and Basra in 2003.

Having qualified as a Qualified Helicopter Instructor in 2000 he has had a number of training roles, including with the Naval Flying Standards Flight before becoming the CHF Operations Officer, coordinating operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He then became the Senior Pilot on 848 NAS. Promoted to Commander in 2011, he joined 845 NAS in January 2012.

OPERATIONS

Cougar 12

CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED

MISSION SUMMARY

Cougar is an amphibious task force exercising in the Mediterranean. The Response Force Task Group (RFTG) is the Royal Navy’s High Readiness Task Group. It has a number of units assigned to it including a helicopter carrier, an assault ship, two frigates, as well as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ship and Commando units, and several Fleet Air Arm squadrons.

Operation Herrick

CURRENT STATUS: active

MISSION SUMMARY

Operation Herrick is the code-name for the work UK Forces have been doing in Afghanistan since 2002, working to bring about stability in the country and maintain the forces of law and order, pushing back the Taliban and preventing them from using the country as a base for terrorism.

Operational Flying Training

CURRENT STATUS: active

MISSION SUMMARY

Flying training conducted on board RFA Argus

TAKE A LOOK

- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
  
  Major Mark Johnson RM, Senior Pilot 845 Sqn, laid a wreath on behalf of 845 NAS, the ‘Junglie’ Association, and the FAA Memorial Church at the Memorial in Limbang town which was dedicated to those that died.
- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
  
  The team visited the local hospital where they were greeted by Doctors and nurses. During a tour of the paediatrics ward the visitors were invited to talk with the children and their parents.
- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
  
  845 NAS on top of Mount Kinabalu
- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
  
  845 NAS visit a local school
- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
  
  Lt Aaron Cross laid a wreath at the Nanga Ga’at memorial to their Junglie’ forbearers accompanied by the British veterans.
- Royal Navy Junglies Re-Trace Their Roots In Malaysia
  
  17 members of 845 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) have returned to their base at RNAS Yeovilton after an exhilarating 12 day trip to Malaysia. The aim of the visit was to retrace the footsteps of their former comrades and to honour those heroic individuals who gave their lives in this distant part of the world during the incursion of Communist forces from Indonesia in the early 1960s.
- Memories of jungle campaign re-lived through Borneo veteran
  
  Roger Bigden and Commander Jim Newton, Commanding Officer of 845 NAS, with the map
- Memories of jungle campaign re-lived through Borneo veteran
  
  Members of 845 NAS ahead of their Borneo trip in front of a Wessex helicopter. Commanding Officer Jim Newton DFC RN is front centre, Senior Pilot Maj Mark Johnson RM is far right
- Memories of jungle campaign re-lived through Borneo veteran
  
  Photo showing Royal Navy Wessex helicopters in Borneo jungle clearing
- Junglies Receive A Special Delivery From A True Hero
  
  SLIMMING WORLD VISIT TO 845 SLIMMING WORLD VISIT
- Junglies Receive A Special Delivery From A True Hero
  
  SLIMMING WORLD VISIT TO 845 SLIMMING WORLD VISIT
- Junglies Receive A Special Delivery From A True Hero
  
  SLIMMING WORLD VISIT TO 845 SLIMMING WORLD VISIT
- Junglies Receive A Special Delivery From A True Hero
  
  SLIMMING WORLD VISIT TO 845 SLIMMING WORLD VISIT
- Queen Honours Royal Marine Aviator
  
  Warrant Officer Simon Tottle Royal Marines, from Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset has been awarded an MBE in The Queens New Years Honours List 2013.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  Royal Navy personnel marching in their snow shoes near their destination with 30 kgs of kit in their bergens.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  Meanwhile two Junglie aircraft technicians construct a lean-to survival shelter from pine trees.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  A final brief from Commando Helicopter Force instructors before setting off on a route march in the frozen wastes of Northern Norway.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  After a long march there’s nothing like a dip in a Junglie swimming pool – whether they want to or not!! Note the equipment he is wearing as he hits the water.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  The shock of the freezing water is about to set in!!
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  The tent shelter nears completion.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  A Naval Officer leads his men on a navigation exercise the following day.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  CHF personnel head off on a routine march following a BV tracked vehicle. The lead man drags the pulk (sledge) which contains their tent, rations and cooking fuel and other essential equipment.
- Navy Pilots Swap Afghan Desert For Norway Snow
  
  After 12 hours marching personnel arrive at their pre-determined destination where CHF survival instructors provide a brief on the construction of a tent shelter. Conditions can be extremely challenging as temperatures can drop to -50 degrees in a wind chill.
- Two Junglies who can write
- Junglies go back to their roots
  
  Junglie Wessex helicopter of 845 NAS at a landing site in Borneo
- Junglies go back to their roots
  
  Junglie Wessex at a Forward Operating Base
- Junglies go back to their roots
  
  The memorial at Nanga Gaat
- Junglies go back to their roots
  
  Junglie Wessex preparing for take-off
- Sea King pilot makes ‘mind-blowing’ parachute jump over Yeovilton
  
  Sea King pilot Lt Will Major celebrated his 1,000th flying hour by jumping out of the back of his helicopter high over his home base of Yeovilton. In doing so, the Commando Helicopter Force flier also notched up his 1,000th jump with the Navy’s elite parachute display team, the Raiders.
- Sea King pilot makes ‘mind-blowing’ parachute jump over Yeovilton
  
  Lt Will Major as he jumps out over RNAS Yeovilton. (Photo taken by LA(PHOT) Abbie Herron)
- Sea King pilot makes ‘mind-blowing’ parachute jump over Yeovilton
  
  Lt Will Major as he jumps out over RNAS Yeovilton. (Photo taken by LA(PHOT) Abbie Herron)
- Sea King pilot makes ‘mind-blowing’ parachute jump over Yeovilton
  
  Lt Will Major as he jumps out over RNAS Yeovilton. (Photo taken by LA(PHOT) Abbie Herron)
- AET ‘Bunny’ Warren with Lotus driver Nico Prost
- AET ‘Bunny’ Warren with Lotus cars at the Goodwood Start line
- 845 Personnel with the ‘Goodwood Girls’ and Sea King helicopter
- Like ducks to water – the Junglies are back at sea
  
  Sea King Mk 4âs from the Royal Navyâs Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) returning to RNAS Yeovilton from Exercise JOINT WARRIOR and Exercise SCOTTISH LION.
- Like ducks to water – the Junglies are back at sea
- Like ducks to water – the Junglies are back at sea
- Like ducks to water – the Junglies are back at sea
- Like ducks to water – the Junglies are back at sea
- Like ducks to water – the Junglies are back at sea
- 845 Naval Air Squadron hosted the US Air Force’s 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS)
  
  Pictured are Blackhawk Helicopters alongside Lynx and Sea King Helicopters at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Please Credit: LA(Phot) AJ Macleod
- 845 Naval Air Squadron hosted the US Air Force’s 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS)
  
  Pictured are Blackhawk Helicopters alongside Lynx and Sea King Helicopters at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Please Credit: LA(Phot) AJ Macleod
- 845 Naval Air Squadron hosted the US Air Force’s 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS)
  
  Pictured are Blackhawk Helicopters alongside Lynx and Sea King Helicopters at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Please Credit: LA(Phot) AJ Macleod
- 845 Squadron 20th Anniversary
  
  Commemoration events to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of 845 Naval Air Squadron (845 NAS) have been held at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. As part of the celebrations currant 845 NAS pilots, aircrews and ground support staff hosted former squadron personal including veterans from the Falklands campaign.
- 845 Squadron 20th Anniversary
  
  Commemoration events to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of 845 Naval Air Squadron (845 NAS) have been held at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. As part of the celebrations currant 845 NAS pilots, aircrews and ground support staff hosted former squadron personal including veterans from the Falklands campaign.
- 845 Squadron 20th Anniversary
  
  Commemoration events to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of 845 Naval Air Squadron (845 NAS) have been held at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. As part of the celebrations currant 845 NAS pilots, aircrews and ground support staff hosted former squadron personal including veterans from the Falklands campaign.
- 845 Squadron 20th Anniversary
  
  Commemoration events to mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of 845 Naval Air Squadron (845 NAS) have been held at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. As part of the celebrations currant 845 NAS pilots, aircrews and ground support staff hosted former squadron personal including veterans from the Falklands campaign.
- Cdr Woodard (left) and Cdr Newton (right)
- Engineers from 845 Naval Air Squadron got an unwelcome surprise as they prepared to work on one of their Sea Kings
- Engineers from 845 Naval Air Squadron got an unwelcome surprise as they prepared to work on one of their Sea Kings
- Engineers from 845 Naval Air Squadron got an unwelcome surprise as they prepared to work on one of their Sea Kings
- Engineers from 845 Naval Air Squadron got an unwelcome surprise as they prepared to work on one of their Sea Kings
- Wetterns Award
  
  The 2011 Maritime Media Awards relate to maritime books, TV documentaries and general media related activities including the Desmond Wettern Fleet Award which was one by 845 NAS squadron. Pictured here Gillian Wettern presents Commander Jolyon Woodard the Commanding officer of 845 NAS sqn with the Desmond Wettern Fleet Award the Crystal Ship's Decanter.
- Desmond Wettern’s widow Gillian presents a decanter to Cdr Jolyon Woodard of 845 NAS, winner of the Fleet Media trophy
  
  The 2011 Maritime Media Awards relate to maritime books, TV documentaries and general media related activities including the Desmond Wettern Fleet Award which was one by 845 NAS squadron. Pictured here Gillian Wettern presents Commander Jolyon Woodard the Commanding officer of 845 NAS sqn with the Desmond Wettern Fleet Award the Crystal Ship's Decanter.
- 845 NAS Jungly Sea Kings conduct their final flight over Camp Bastion in Afghanistan
  
  Royal Navy Sea King Mk4 helicopters from 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons normally based with Commando Helicopter Force at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, flying as part of the Joint Helicopter Force Afghanistan in support of current operations in Afghanistan.
- Desmond Wettern’s widow Gillian presents a decanter to the BBC’s Caroline Wyatt, winner of the Desmond Wettern Media Award
  
  The 2011 Maritime Media Awards relate to maritime books, TV documentaries and general media related activities including the Desmond Wettern Fleet Award. Pictured here Gillian Wettern presents The Crystal Ships Decanter to Journalist Caroline Wyatt.

UNITS IN TIME

845 Naval Air Squadron HISTORY

TRACK THE HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED 845 Naval Air Squadron

Action in the Far East

Apart from two years flying torpedo bombers in the second half of World War 2, 845 Naval Air Squadron has been a cutting-edge helicopter formation for more than half a century. The squadron was originally formed in February 1943 Flying Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers, seeing extensive action in the Far East in 1944 and 1945.
Battle Honours

East Indies 1944-45 Burma 1945
The First Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron

Disbanded at the war’s end, 845 reappeared in 1955 with Sikorsky S55s and, from 1957, Westland Whirlwinds, as the first anti-submarine helicopter squadron in the Fleet Air Arm. Despite this specialist role, the squadron demonstrated the versatility of the helicopter during the Suez Crisis of 1956 by carrying troops ashore in a ‘vertical assault’.
The First Commando Helicopter Squadron

The squadron was disbanded again in 1959 before reforming in 1962 as the first commando helicopter squadron which saw immediate action in the jungles of Brunei and Borneo, establishing the ‘jungly’ nickname which persists today.
Northern Ireland, The Falklands and Kuwait

845 spent much of the 1970s and early ’80s supporting the security and peacekeeping mission in Northern Ireland, but its helicopters were also sent to the South Atlantic in 1982 to liberate the Falklands. Another invasion half a world away saw the squadron earn its next battle honour during the international effort to drive Saddam Hussein’s forces out of Kuwait.
Battle Honours

Falklands 1982
Battle Honours

Kuwait 1991
Peacekeeping

From the end of 1992 until 2005, 845 maintained a permanent presence in the former Yugoslavia supporting UN/NATO peacekeeping operations; the squadron became the longest-serving unit in theatre.
Returning to the Gulf

In 2003 the squadron returned to the Gulf, this time during the campaign to oust Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. Once the dictator had been toppled, the Sea Kings remained in the country for three years supporting stabilisation efforts on the ground.
Afghanistan

After improvements and upgrades to the Sea Kings, and with the mission in Iraq over, 845 was sent to Afghanistan in March 2008 and its men, women and helicopters have been committed there ever since.

1943
1945
1955
1959
1970
1982
1991
1992
2003
2008

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845 Naval Air Squadron