HMS Heron is located near Yeovil, Somerset consisting of around 1400 acres of airfield sites at Yeovilton and the satellite at Ilton (Merryfield). Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton is a large multi-role air station and one of the busiest military airfields in the UK with an annual budget of some £17 million.
It is home to Royal Navy (RN) Lynx Helicopters and RN Commando Helicopter Force. RNAS Yeovilton operates over 100 aircraft in four different categories and is manned by around 4300 personnel, service and civilian, including MoD employees and permanent contractors.
Training of aircrew and engineers of resident aircraft types is carried out at Yeovilton, and It is also the location for the RN Fighter Controller School and RN School of Aircraft Control, training fighter and helicopter controllers.
In addition, the Air Station is co-located with a large support staff element of the MoD Defence Equipment and Support Organzation, and the world famous Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Established nearly 70 years ago, HMS Heron is the only Royal Naval establishment in this beautiful part of the country, and over the years has developed a very close liaison with the local area.
