1700 Naval Air Squadron

The Squadron provides engineering, aviation and logistical support to operations and exercises all over the world at sea and ashore.

Role

When a Squadron of Naval Air Arm aircraft deploys to a ship or any other detached operating base, it’s essential that the supporting facilities are available to cope with any situation. And that’s where the vital skills of the 1700 Naval Air Squadron come in.

The team acts as a one stop shop for specialist talent, meeting personnel requirements and providing essential naval aviation support for both ships and land-bases globally. From medics to meteorologists, engineers to aircraft controllers, the talented, committed team of 1700 NAS is ready to deploy anywhere in the world in a matter of hours.

Capability

The 1700 NAS provides tailored teams – from two to 50 – so ships or any other detached operating bases have the support staff they need, whenever, wherever.

The Squadron provides engineering, aviation and logistical support to operations and exercises all over the world at sea and ashore.

On average 65% (90) of 1700 NAS personnel are deployed supporting operations KIPION, APT(N), Force Gen and SNMG2. A further 35% (50) of the unit remain at R2 ready to deploy.

The remaining personnel are based at 1700 NAS HQ, RNAS Culdrose. Managing manpower rotations, deployments and their movements.

Flight deck, Logistical support, Operations, Engineering support, Warfare and even Medical assistance are supplied by 1700 NAS.

Our missions statement is to support Maritime and Aviation Operations within the RN and RFA, providing suitably qualified, experienced personnel and equipment which is tailored for Tri Service operational capability.

Crew

Led by Lieutenant Commander BJ Smith, the 1700 NAS provides engineering and logistics support to operations and exercises. The people we provide include:

Flight deck crews
Fire-fighters
Military policemen
Aircraft controllers
Logisticians
Weapon Engineers
Air Engineers
Medics
Warfare

...and many other specialists to allow the continued operation of naval aircraft worldwide.

Unit history

1900

MASF

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Aviation Support Unit (RFAASU) becomes Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF).

1900

Early days

The modern day NAS 1700’s antecedent, Royal Fleet Auxiliary Aviation Support Unit (RFAASU), forms.

1940

Amphibious bombers

The original 1700 Naval Air Squadron (1944-1946) flew from RNAS Lee-on-Solent as an amphibian bomber reconnaissance squadron.

2017

Maritime Aviation Support Unit becomes 1700 Squadron

The unit which enables the Royal Navy’s fliers to fly is officially re-commissioned as a Naval Air Squadron (NAS).

Follow the 1700 Naval Air Squadron on X

@1700NAS

Join the Fleet Air Arm

Ready to soar? You could be supporting, working on - or even flying - some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.