809 Naval Air Squadron: Difference between revisions
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===Falklands War=== |
===Falklands War=== |
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During the [[Falklands War]] of 1982, the Fleet Air Arm only had three [[Sea Harrier]] squadrons, [[800 Naval Air Squadron|800]] and [[801 Naval Air Squadron|801]] (with five aircraft each for frontline operations from |
During the [[Falklands War]] of 1982, the Fleet Air Arm only had three [[Sea Harrier]] squadrons, [[800 Naval Air Squadron|800]] and [[801 Naval Air Squadron|801]] (with five aircraft each for frontline operations from HMS ''Hermes'' and {{HMS|Invincible|R05|6}}) and [[899 Naval Air Squadron|899 NAS]] (with around twelve Sea Harriers operating as the headquarters and training squadron). At the outbreak of war, 899 sent three aircraft to join 801 aboard HMS ''Invincible'' and seven aircraft to join 800 aboard HMS ''Hermes''. These aircraft salied with the Task Force whilst the remains of 899 set about bringing the remaining Sea Harriers in store or on other duties into operational use. It was planned to form a third frontline sqn with ten Sea Harriers, but only eight could be brought together initially. These aircraft were painted a lighter low visibility grey than the rest of the Sea Harrier fleet, and were then issued to the reformed 809 NAS, under Lt Cdr Tim Gedge, which were transported south on the ill-fated [[Atlantic Conveyor]]. After arriving with the Task force, the aircraft and pilots were split between the two carriers and were absorbed by their sqns, as 899's aircraft had been earlier. After the ceasefire, 809 re-formed as a single unit and returned to the UK aboard ''Hermes'', where after a very short break they embarked aboard the newly completed {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}} and returned to the South Atlantic, remaining on station until relieved by RAF [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4M Phantom]] FGR2s of [[No. 29 Squadron RAF|29 Squadron]] now based at [[Port Stanley Airport]]. ''Illustrious'' returned home in December, and 809 NAS finally disbanded on 17 December 1982. |
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==Aircraft flown== |
==Aircraft flown== |
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Revision as of 17:47, 10 May 2010
| 809 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Naval Ensign | |
| Active | 1941 - 1965 1966 - 1978 1982 |
| Disbanded | 17 December 1982 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch | Fleet Air Arm |
| Battle honours | Arctic 1941, Malta Convoys 1942, North Africa 1942, Salerno 1943, South France 1944, Aegean 1944, Burma 1945, Falklands 1982 |
809 Naval Air Squadron was a squadron in the Fleet Air Arm of the United Kingdom.
History
WWII
Formed in January 1941 at St Merryn with 12 Fairey Fulmars,[1] the squadron embarked in HMS Victorious in July 1941. At first involved in operations against Petsamo and Bodø, and then the convoys to North Russia, Victorious and her air group fought in the Mediterranean from July 1942, including participating in Operation Pedestal.[1]
After being trained in army co-operation duties at Sawbridge, 809 re-embarked in Victorious in October 1943 and conducted tactical reconnaissance for the North African landings of Operation Torch. After being re-equipped with the Seafire IIc, the squadron provided cover for Operation Avalanche, the allied landings at Salerno.[1]
The squadron flew Supermarine Seafires off HMS Stalker during 1944, including landing detachments in North Africa and Italy between May and July.[1] Stalker and 809 formed part of Task Force 88 covering the Operation Dragoon landings in Southern France in August 1944.[1] In November 1944 the squadron transferred to HMS Attacker, rejoining Stalker in March 1945, bound for the Eastern Fleet at Ceylon.[1]
The final days of World War II saw 809 providing fighter cover for Operation Dracula, the re-occupation of Rangoon, then in June operations in Malaya and Sumatra. The ship subsequently gave cover for Operation Zipper, the re-occupation of Malaya after VJ-day.[1]
Post-WWII
Between May 1954 and August 1959 the squadron operated De Havilland Sea Venoms, including active service during the Suez Crisis in 1956.
Cold War
809 NAS re-formed on 15 January 1963 as the second frontline Blackburn Buccaneer S Mk1 sqn (after 801 NAS) and was formed using aircraft and crews from the recently disbanded 700Z NAS (the Buccaneer S1 trials and training unit) under the command of 700Z's commanding officer, commander 'Spiv' Leahy. The squadron was tasked with continuing 700Z's duties and became the Buccaneer Headquarters squadron. The aircraft at the time were painted in 'anti flash' white with toned-down markings because of the Buccaneer's nuclear role, with the squadron badge of a Phoenix on the sides of the jet intakes. By 1965 the Buccaneer force had switched to the standard Fleet Air Arm finish of Dark Sea Gray upper surfaces and white undersides, and the squadron badge was moved to the tail. In April 1965 809 NAS disbanded again and its role was taken over by 736 NAS at RNAS Lossiemouth.
809 re-formed in 1966 under the command of Lt Cdr Lyn Middleton and was now equipped with the Rolls-Royce Spey-powered Buccaneer S Mk2. Royal Navy Buccaneers were now being painted Dark Sea Grey overall with all markings other than roundels in either light grey or light blue to reduce visibility. 809 embarked in HMS Hermes with six aircraft for the next two years, then from 1968 were shore-based again at Lossiemouth, during which time they formed a display team and attended many air shows.
In 1970, having increased its complement to 14 Buccaneer S2s, 809 embarked on the newly refitted HMS Ark Royal and, from 1972 onward, became the last Royal Navy Buccaneer squadron following the disbandment of 800 Naval Air Squadron. Around this time the squadron transferred its home base from RNAS Lossiemouth (which was being transferred to RAF control, later becoming the home base of the last RAF Buccaneer sqns) to RAF Honington. 809 NAS continued to alternate between RAF Honington and HMS Ark Royal until November 1978, when after flying off the carrier for the last time in the Mediterranean, the squadron flew direct to RAF St Athan, where the aircraft were formally handed over to the RAF. 809 squadron was officially disbanded at HMS Daedalus on the 13 December 1978, and the aircraft were used to form 216 squadron in 1979.
Falklands War
During the Falklands War of 1982, the Fleet Air Arm only had three Sea Harrier squadrons, 800 and 801 (with five aircraft each for frontline operations from HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible) and 899 NAS (with around twelve Sea Harriers operating as the headquarters and training squadron). At the outbreak of war, 899 sent three aircraft to join 801 aboard HMS Invincible and seven aircraft to join 800 aboard HMS Hermes. These aircraft salied with the Task Force whilst the remains of 899 set about bringing the remaining Sea Harriers in store or on other duties into operational use. It was planned to form a third frontline sqn with ten Sea Harriers, but only eight could be brought together initially. These aircraft were painted a lighter low visibility grey than the rest of the Sea Harrier fleet, and were then issued to the reformed 809 NAS, under Lt Cdr Tim Gedge, which were transported south on the ill-fated Atlantic Conveyor. After arriving with the Task force, the aircraft and pilots were split between the two carriers and were absorbed by their sqns, as 899's aircraft had been earlier. After the ceasefire, 809 re-formed as a single unit and returned to the UK aboard Hermes, where after a very short break they embarked aboard the newly completed HMS Illustrious and returned to the South Atlantic, remaining on station until relieved by RAF F-4M Phantom FGR2s of 29 Squadron now based at Port Stanley Airport. Illustrious returned home in December, and 809 NAS finally disbanded on 17 December 1982.
Aircraft flown
During its life 809 squadron has flown 6 different aircraft types:
- Sea Harrier FRS1
- Blackburn Buccaneer
- De Havilland Sea Venom
- Supermarine Seafire IIc & III
- Supermarine Spitfire Ib & Va
- Fairey Fulmar
References
- Pitchfork, Air Commodore Graham (2002). The Buccaneers : operational service with the Royal Navy and Air Force. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens. ISBN 1852606118.