846 Naval Air Squadron

“846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) is one of two frontline Sea King Mk 4 squadrons forming part of the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). 846 NAS cut its teeth as a Commando helicopter squadron in the rainforests of Borneo

during the 1960s, earning its aircrew and engineers the moniker “Junglies”, to pay tribute to their ability to operate helicopters with flexibility and success in the difficult jungle environment. True to this creed, 846 NAS has since achieved operational success the Falkland Islands, in Northern ireland and on the battlefields of Bosnia (1990s), Iraq (until 2007) and in Afghanistan (ongoing), whilst supporting exercises both at sea and by land in the UK, Norway, Kenya, Morocco and the USA.

Sea King Mk4
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Sea King Mk4
Sea King Mk4
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In 2007 with an ongoing commitment in Iraq, 846 NAS deployed to Afghanistan in order to provide battlefield helicopter support to coalition forces under the auspices of Op HERRICK. Four years later having sustained continuous Sea King tasking in Helmand Province, the Squadron is now set to withdraw from Afghanistan in order to enable it’s conversion to the Merlin Mk 3 and 4 before the Sea King goes out of service in 2016. Despite Afghanistan being its most recent operational focus, 846 NAS retains its raison d’etre as an amphibious assault Squadron, capable of delivering Royal Marines from ship to shore.

846 NAS is based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset with a compliment of around 250 personnel - pilots, aircrewmen, engineers and supporting elements – collectively responsible for the safe and efficient operation of ten Sea King Mk 4 Commando helicopters, wherever in the world they are required. As the first Royal Navy squadron due to convert to Merlin Mk 4, 846 NAS is set to undergo a comprehensive restructuring, enabling it to continue delivering Sea King Mk 4 operational capability whilst best posturing to take the reins of a new and highly capable battlefield helicopter, as yet uninitiated in the Commando Role. The squadron motto “Semper Instans” translates as “Always Threatening”.

COMMANDING OFFICER

Jaimie Roylance RM

RANK:
Lieutenant Colonel

JOINED:
1993

SPECIALISATION:
Royal Marine (Pilot)

PREVIOUS UNITS:
847 NAS, 3rd Battalion, The Paras

Military experience

Jaimie Roylance joined the Royal Marines in 1993, learning to fly in 1998. He has served with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit of the USMC, 846 and 847 Naval Air Squadrons. He has flown a range of aircraft including the Lynx, Sea King and AH-1W Supercobra. He assumed command of 846 NAS in July 2010.

OPERATIONS

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.

LATEST NEWS

TAKE A LOOK

- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4
- Sea King Mk4

UNITS IN TIME

846 Naval Air Squadron HISTORY

TRACK THE HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED 846 Naval Air Squadron

Formation

846 Naval Air Squadron was formed on April 1 1943 as a torpedo bomber and reconnaissance unit, equipped with the Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber and bolstered by a flight of Wildcat fighters. In this year the Squadron carried out anti U-boat patrols on convoy routes to Gibraltar and Murmansk.
WW2 Battle Honours

From 1944 to war’s end 846 NAS’ battle honours include Norway 1944-45, Normandy 1944 and the Arctic 1944-45. After the war the Squadron is disbanded
Borneo

846 NAS is re-formed as a helicopter squadron operating the Westland Whirlwind helicopter in the Commando Role and deployed immediately on counter-guerrilla operations in Borneo. Operating from HMS Albion and forward-based in the jungle, it is here that 846 NAS aircrew earn the moniker “Junglies” from their Army brethren on the ground. On return to the UK, 846 NAS is again disbanded.
Wessex

The next reincarnation sees 846 NAS re-formed to operate Wessex helicopters in the Commando Role and based at RNAS Culdrose. In 1972 the Squadron is relocated to RNAS Yeovilton where it remains to this day. In December 1979, 846 NAS begins conversion to the new Sea King Mk 4 helicopter
The Falklands War

846 NAS, now fully equipped with Sea King Mk 4 helicopters embarks on HMS HERMES as part of the UK task-force sent to fight the Falklands War. During the Falklands campaign 846 NAS flies over 2800 hours, completes 10,000 individual troop moves and lifts nearly 83,000 tonnes of freight. The “Junglies” reputation is safeguarded.
Operation Desert Storm

In 1990 the Squadron took part in Operation Desert Storm and helps secure the liberation of Kuwait.
Peace Keeping

In January 1993 the Squadron embarks on HMS Ark Royal and deploys to the Adriatic to provide support to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia. No sooner has the Squadron completed its mission in the Adriatic it is then deployed to Northern Ireland, again in the peacekeeping role – 846 NAS is deployed here until 2002.
Sierra Leone

846 NAS Sea Kings deploy onboard the newly launched helicopter carrier HMS OCEAN, providing much-needed helicopter support to 42 Commando operating against rebel forces in Sierra Leone.
Iraq

846 NAS takes part in the assault on the Al Faw peninsula and is thenceforth deployed to Basra in support of Op TELIC. The Squadron remains in Iraq until 2007.
Afghanistan

846 NAS deploys to Afghanistan in support of Op HERRICK equipped with the upgraded Sea King Mk 4 plus. 846 NAS and its sister Squadron 845 NAS operate throughout Helmand Province and the wider theatre, providing much-needed battlefield helicopter support to land forces.
Present Day

846 NAS maintains an enduring commitment to Afghanistan whilst making preparations for conversion to the new Merlin Mk 3/4 helicopter.

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846 Naval Air Squadron