771 Naval Air Squadron
| 771 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 771 Naval Air Squadron badge |
|
| Active | 1939-1955 1961-1964 1967–present Day |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy |
| Role | Search and Rescue Training |
| Garrison/HQ | RNAS Culdrose |
| Motto | Non Nobis Solum (Latin: "Not unto us alone") |
| Equipment | Sea King |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lieutenant-Commander C Canning |
771 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm was formed in 1939 at Lee-on-Solent as a Fleet Requirements Unit flying a variety of fixed-wing aircraft. In September 1945 it received the Hoverfly, making 771 the first naval air squadron to operate helicopters, which it used until May 1947. It disbanded in August 1955 (operating the Avro Anson, Gloster Meteor, de Havilland Sea Vampire and Fairey Firefly) when it combined with 703 Naval Air Squadron to form 700 Naval Air Squadron.
771 Squadron reformed and assumed a helicopter trials and Search and Rescue role with the introduction of the Westland Whirlwind HAR.3 in 1961 at RNAS Portland, until 1964 when it disbanded and became 829 Naval Air Squadron. It reformed at RNAS Portland in June 1967 with Whirlwinds and began to introduce the Wessex in November 1969.
The squadron moved to RNAS Culdrose in September 1974. Six of its Wessex aircraft were left at RNAS Portland, to form the basis of 772 Naval Air Squadron. The Wessex HAS.1 was replaced by the twin turbine powered Wessex HU.5 in 1979, when it was involved with the 1979 Fastnet race rescues. In 1985, it absorbed 707 Naval Air Squadron's Wessex helicopters when it took over Commando Helicopter Training and the Wessex was replaced by the Westland Sea King HAS.5 in October 1987 as the Squadron assumed a long range, day/night and all weather SAR capability and then converted to the HAR.5. In July 2001 771 Squadron assumed the responsibility for Advanced and Operational Flying Training for Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) Pilots and Observers, as well as the residual Sea King HAS.5 & HAS.6 Pilot Conversion and Refresher Courses.
[edit] Aircraft operated, since 1961
- Dragonfly HR.5
- Wasp HAS.1
- Whirlwind HAS.22
- Whirlwind HAR.1, HAR.3, HAS.7
- Wessex HAS.1, HU.5
- Chipmunk T.10
- Sea Devon C.20
- Sea King HAS.5, HAR.5, HAS.6
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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