847 Naval Air Squadron

The role of 847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) is to provide reconnaissance and direction of supporting arms, primarily in support of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines on deployments worldwide. The squadron is manned by and Royal Marine aircrew.

Lynx Mk9A
Lynx Mk9A
Lynx Mk9A

COMMANDING OFFICER

Nicholas Venn

RANK:
Major

JOINED:
1994

SPECIALISATION:

PREVIOUS UNITS:
3 Cdo Brigade, 847 Naval Air Squadron

Military experience

Nicholas Venn joined in 1994 and has served on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. After a tour as a Troop Commander, he completed flying training in 1999, qualifying initially as a Gazelle pilot before converting to Lynx in 2005. He assumed command of 847 NAS in Jul 2011.

OPERATIONS

Operation Herrick

CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED

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.

Operation Telic

CURRENT STATUS: COMPLETED

MISSION SUMMARY

An ongoing UK commitment to clearing and maintaining a mine countermeasures force in the Gulf.

LATEST NEWS

ABOUT THE UNIT

KEY STATISTICS

Top Speed: 160knots

Crew: 3

Height: 3.8Metres

Length: 15.25Metres

Range (nautical miles): 280

Main Rotor Diameter: 12.8Metres

Weight (Unladen): 3,500Kg

TAKE A LOOK

- Lynx Mk9A
- Lynx Mk9A
- Lynx Mk9A

UNITS IN TIME

847 Naval Air Squadron HISTORY

TRACK THE HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED 847 Naval Air Squadron

Life as a Torpedo Bomber

It began life as a torpedo bomber/reconnaissance squadron in 1943, serving with HMS Illustrious in the Far East.
Battle Honours

East Indies 1944
Spotting Arms

In its next incarnation, 847 flew Gannets out of Cyprus trying to spot arms being smuggled into the island. It was a duty they performed for more than three years before 847 was broken up again.
Unrest in Indonesia

More unrest – this time in Indonesia – prompted its return in May 1963, a reappearance which lasted 18 months. Before the decade was out, 847 was back, flying Wessex in the Far East from with Royal Marines assault ships.
Battle Honours

They arrived in the South Atlantic in time to support the later stages of the push on Stanley. With the Falklands safe, 847 was no longer needed and that autumn its brief renaissance ended.
The Falklands

Returned after 11 years, when it was hurriedly formed to support the liberation of the Falklands. More than 20 Wessexes were sent south with 847.
The Present Incarnation

The present incarnation was born on September 1 1995 when 3 Cdo Bde’s Air Squadron was stood down and 847 NAS stood up. It has taken part in every major operation which the RN has been committed to.
Battle Honours

Most recently in Iraq, the Lynx Mk9s of 847 were armed with anti-tank missiles and were responsible for mauling Saddam’s armour in fierce fighting around Basra.

1943
1944
1956
1963
1982
1982
1995
2003

Current Jobs

Air Engineer Officer

In this technically demanding job, you’re ultimately responsible for the people who keep the Royal Navy flying. On an operational squadron, you’ll lead a team maintaining, updating, fitting and testing sophisticated propulsion, weapons, navigation, communications and control systems and keeping...

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Air Engineering Technician

As a vital part of our air operations team, you’ll take charge of scheduled maintenance and pre- and post-flight servicing and inspections for the Fleet Air Arm’s aircraft. You could serve on board a frigate, destroyer, helicopter carrier, at a...

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Aircrew Officer Pilot

You must have the commitment and physical and mental stamina to cope with the long and demanding training. You’ll need to be calm, confident and decisive under pressure. But you’ll need to develop more than just flying and tactical skills...

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847 Naval Air Squadron