820 NAS Flying home for Christmas

Sailors from 820 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) are back at home in Cornwall after conducting operations in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and other parts of the World.

Having been deployed since mid-August, the Merlin helicopter crews have conducted anti-submarine, humanitarian & disaster relief and NATO operations from the northern tip of Scotland to Northern Africa, the Caribbean to Israel, and throughout the Mediterranean region.

The most notable part of the deployment was their role in Operation Ruman; the British Government's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation in the Caribbean following the devastating hurricanes in September.

Two aircraft and 45 personnel from 820 NAS worked as part of an Air Group with Wildcat and Merlin Mk3 helicopters during HMS Ocean’s last operational deployment.

Commanding Officer of 820 NAS, Commander Jon Holroyd said: “These operational deployments providing Force protection and support from the sea continue to provide challenging yet rewarding experiences to my team, who will take these skills to HMS Queen Elizabeth in the New Year and beyond.”

Many personnel and aircraft from other units at RNAS Culdrose continue to be deployed on operations in UK waters and overseas.