Role
The squadron is led by Commander Karen Snel and operates the Merlin Mk2 helicopter in two roles, for anti-submarine warfare or for airborne surveillance and control. It means the aircraft can protect the carriers and their support ships from threats in the air, on the surface, and below the water.
The anti-submarine warfare aircraft are armed with torpedoes and the crews use sonobuoys and dipping sonar to locate and track potentially hostile submarines. The surveillance aircraft fly high above the strike group and use powerful radars to look ‘beyond the horizon’ for possible threats.
Based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, 820 Naval Air squadron is one of the most prestigious and the oldest serving squadron in the Fleet Air Arm.