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The expert pilots of 824 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) train recruits to fly and maintain the world’s number-one anti-submarine helicopter: the Merlin Mk 2.
824 Naval Air Squadron is currently on deployment
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With the aid of eight helicopters and state-of-the-art simulators, 824 Naval Air Squadron provides the Royal Navy frontline helicopter squadrons with qualified pilots, aircrew and ground crew.
Trainee pilots, observers and aircrew work together as a team during the 44-week course, covering all aspects of Merlin operations – submarine hunting, boarding operations, search and rescue missions, counter-piracy, carrying cargo.
First commissioned in April 1933 as a spotter reconnaissance squadron, the 824 NAS disbanded no fewer than ten times between 1934 and 1970.
It distinguished itself during World War 2 in convoy and escort duties, bombing raids, gunnery spotting and carrying out attacks on enemy destroyers, flying Swordfish, Seal, Barracuda and Firefly.
The high point of 824 NAS' illustrious career was its attack on the Italian Fleet at anchor in its main base of Taranto in November 1940. It was directly responsible for disabling several Italian capital ships.
In 1982, the squadron deployed with the task force to liberate the Falklands and, as well as operations, it was responsible for trials of the Sea King Airborne Early Warning (‘bagger’) variant.
Trials of the 'bagger' subsequent to the Falklands conflict led to part of 824 NAS re-forming as 849 Naval Air Squadron in November 1984.
As for 824, it finally disbanded in August 1989 and its aircraft were transferred to 819 Squadron at Prestwick.
824 finished its illustrious front-line career when it was reformed as the Merlin training squadron in 2000; a role that it has been fulfilling exceptionally well ever since.
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Highly skilled pilots, engineers and aircrew help make the Fleet Air Arm one of the most crucial parts of the service.
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