815 Naval Air Squadron
| 815 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1939-1966, 1981-present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Type | Naval Air Squadron |
| Role | Maritime Attack |
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Garrison/HQ | RNAS Yeovilton |
| Motto(s) | 'Strike Deep' |
| Equipment | Westland Lynx HAS3 HMA8 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Commander A D Jones Royal Navy |
| Ceremonial chief | HRH Queen Elizabeth II |
815 NAS (motto Strike Deep) is currently based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset UK and is the front line Lynx Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. With more than 30 Lynx helicopters of various types (making it the largest helicopter squadron, at least in western europe, if not the world). The Squadron mainly operates in sub units called Flights that consist of a Lynx Helicopter and it's crew, flying from Royal Naval frigates and destroyers worldwide on a daily basis. [1]
The Squadron initially formed in 1939 with Swordfish aircraft. Battle honours include Taranto 1940, the epic raid on the Italian Battlefleet which redefined the use of air power from the sea. For further historical reference, the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Somerset, UK holds the archives of all British Naval Air Squadrons and more.[2] alternatively Sturtivant, R & Ballance, T (1994). 'The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm' Published by Air Britain (Historians) Ltd, 1994 ISBN: 0 85130 223 8