845 NAS

845 Naval Air Squadron

845 Naval Air Squadron provides support and effect from the skies, with a complement of over 230 personnel who operate and maintain the Merlin Mk 4 and Mk 4A helicopters in support of 3 Commando Brigade.

845 Naval Air Squadron is currently on deployment

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Unit official communications

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About this forum

845 is a Naval Air Squadron, part of the Commando Helicopter Force. Founded in 1943 as a Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron. Transferring to helicopters 845 were the first to conduct Anti-Submarine duties in the 1950’s before developing vertical assault during the Suez Crisis and Aden.

The nickname ‘Junglies’ was bestowed by the troops 845 supported in the Jungle campaign of Malaysia and Borneo in the 1960’s – a reputation fiercely defended since. Their motto is Audio Hostem – which means ‘I hear the enemy’ a nod to their ASW past.

Squadron personnel maintain a high state of readiness and are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice to provide tactical mobility and aviation support from either the sea or the land.

Find the Squadron on twitter: 845NAS

Facts & figures

845

Facts & figures

24 Troops / 4 tonnes

Load capacity

170 mph

Max speed

600+ nautical miles

Combat radius

Our skills

845

Our skills

  • Tactical Mobility, including Littoral (Ship to Shore) Strike, Air Assault and the Tactical Insertion and Extraction of troops and equipment in direct support of the Future Commando Forces.
  • Extreme Weather Operations – Ready to fly and maintain aircraft in all environments, from the Arctic in Norway to the deserts of Oman.
  • Secondary Roles - Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR), Deployed Search and Rescue (DSAR), and Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), Counter-Narcotics Operations, Maritime intra-Theatre Lift (MiTL).

Our operations

845

Current operation

RNAS Yeovilton

RNAS Yeovilton

Pre Deployment Training for Autumn detachments.

Our base

Our base

RNAS Yeovilton

Ilchester
YEOVIL
Somerset, BA22 8HT

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845 Naval Air Squadron's role

Whether their helicopters are delivering vital water supplies as part of humanitarian operations or providing support from the skies in times of conflict, 845 Naval Air Squadron is well-equipped and well-prepared for a huge range of challenges.

They have seen active service in the Falklands, Kuwait, and the Gulf, and supported the UK’s humanitarian responses to the Philippines and Caribbean after natural disasters.

Did you know? The 845’s ‘R2’ (5-day) response capability is regularly exercised with no notice to crews. They took part simulated Arctic emergency in summer 2017, during which aircrew and support personnel rapidly deploy to Norway.

Unit history

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