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846 Naval Air Squadron is one of the two frontline Merlin Squadrons that make up the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force. The Squadron fly the AgustaWestland Merlin Mk4 and are the home of the Operational Conversion Flight.
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846 Naval Air Squadron is historically an amphibious assault squadron, delivering Royal Marines from ship to shore.. The Squadron has provided battlefield support in a number of operational theatres, including the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the home of the Operational Conversion Flight, 846 Naval Air Squadron train future pilots and aircrewman to operate the Merlin Mk4.
846 NAS was formed on April 1 1943 as a torpedo bomber and reconnaissance unit, equipped with the Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber and bolstered by a flight of Wildcat fighters.
From 1944 to war’s end 846 NAS’ battle honours include Norway 1944-45, Normandy 1944 and the Arctic 1944-45. After the war the 846 was disbanded.
846 NAS was re-formed to operate the Westland Whirlwind helicopter, deploying immediately on counter-guerrilla operations in Borneo.
The next reincarnation saw 846 NAS re-formed operating Wessex helicopters out of RNAS Culdrose. In 1972, the Squadron was relocated to RNAS Yeovilton.
Now fully equipped with the Sea King Mk4, 846 NAS embarked on HMS Hermes to the Falklands. During the campaign 846 NAS flew over 2,800 hours and completed 10,000 individual troop moves.
In 1990 the Squadron took part in Operation Desert Storm and helped secure the liberation of Kuwait.
In January 1993, 846 embarked on HMS Ark Royal and deployed to the Adriatic to provide support to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia.
846 NAS Sea Kings deployed onboard the newly launched helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, providing much-needed helicopter support to 42 Commando operating against rebel forces in Sierra Leone.
846 NAS took part in the assault on the al-Faw peninsula before being deployed to Basra in support of Operation Telic. The squadron remained in Iraq until 2007.
846 NAS deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Herrick, equipped with the upgraded Sea King Mk 4+. 846 NAS and its sister squadron 845 NAS operated throughout Helmand Province.
846 NAS is in the midst of preparations for conversion to the new Merlin Mk 3/4 helicopter.
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