815 Naval Air Squadron

815 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) is home to the Wildcat HMA 2, the Royal Navy’s latest generation Maritime Attack Helicopter. These capable, multi-role aircraft demand the best of the best when it comes to Aircrew, Engineers and support.

The squadron consists of 5 Sections: Rascal, Inferno, Vengeance, Cartel and Harp, each containing multiple Flights of aircrew and maintainers held at varying levels of readiness to deploy on operations around the world. Each section has a different focus, but all are optimised for embarked aviation and war fighting at sea.

Although the Squadron is made up of around 240 people, they’re rarely found in one place. They will normally be conducting pre-deployment training, away on operations or providing homeland defence.

Facts & figures

240+ miles

Total range

158 knots

Maximum speed

20 Martlet

Maximum number of Laser Guided Missiles

Current operation

Operation Kipion

Middle East

We have been on patrol in the Gulf since 1980, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to peace and stability.

Previous deployment

Carrier Strike Group

The Carrier Strike Group is our nation's spearhead. The role of the Carrier Strike Group is to act as a self-contained force that can work independently or as part of wider operations.

Our base

RNAS Yeovilton

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815 Naval Air Squadron's role

As the Royal Navy’s front line Maritime Attack Helicopter squadron, 815 NAS’ primary role is to be ready to fight and win at sea. The Wildcat’s primary weapon systems are the Martlet and Sea Venom missiles, and the aircraft also operates with the .50 cal machine gun and airborne maritime snipers. In addition, the Wildcat performs a wide range of other roles including fast roping, load lifting, reconnaissance, search and rescue and the delivery of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) to those in need.

Underpinning all these capabilities is the ability to operate a helicopter from the small flight deck of a Frigate or Destroyer, undoubtedly one of the greatest challenges in aviation. Solidarity and companionship are essential ingredients for life on a Small Ship’s Flight. The backdrop may change from one ship to the next, but the reliance and trust between the close-knit team involved in keeping a Wildcat airborne at sea provide an enduring resilience which is critical to a deployed Flight’s success.

Unit history

1939

Formation

815 Naval Air Squadron was born as World War Two began, formed at RNAS Worthy Down on 9th October 1939 with obsolete Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers.

1940

The greatest victory

815 scored the Fleet Air Arm’s greatest victory, crippling the Italian Fleet at Taranto in November 1940 – for the loss of a single Swordfish.

1958

Changing airframes

The squadron operated Grumman Avengers and Fairey Gannets before it converted to helicopters – the Westland Whirlwind in 1958 and the Wessex in 1961.

1966

Temporarily disbanded

Disbanded in 1966, but recommissioned at RNAS Yeovilton in 1981 with the Lynx HAS Mk2 as the Headquarters Squadron.

1982

In the Falklands

Falklands campaign, the Armilla patrol in the Gulf and relief operations off Lebanon, Aden and in the Caribbean.

1990

Into the Gulf

Several Flights were involved in offensive operations in the northern Gulf, using Sea Skua missiles to knock out the Iraqi Navy.

1993

The world’s largest helicopter Squadron

829 Naval Air Squadron and 815 NAS merge to become the largest helicopter squadron in the world.

2013

Aid to the Philippines

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines – bolstered by Royal Engineers and Army Air Corps – helped over 50,000 people following Typhoon Haiyan.

2013

Multi-million pound cocaine bust

815 NAS assisted the crew of Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster as they seized a 680kg stash of cocaine being smuggled by speedboat near Puerto Rico.

2014

The First Lynx retires

A XZ692 that served for 35 years and clocked up an impressive 7,325 flying hours – or 43 weeks airborne – was the first of its kind to retire.

2015

Surveying destruction on Montserrat

815 Naval Air Squadron was the first to survey the devastation caused by a volcanic eruption on the island of Montserrat.

2016

Wildcat Pride arrived

The first four of 12 new Wildcats was delivered to 815 Naval Air Squadron.

2017

The last Lynx flight

The last Lynx, a mainstay of 815’s operations since the late 1970s, was welcomed home to Yeovilton for the last time.

2017

Lifesaving support in the Caribbean

The new Wildcats saved lives in the wake of Hurricane Irma – in just seven hours of flying they made 30 landings, lift 52 personnel ashore and back, and delivered six tonnes of aid.