829 Naval Air Squadron
Encyclopedia
829 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy
Fleet Air Arm
. It operates the AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin HM1
helicopter.
(UK) and equipped with nine Fairey Albacore
torpedo bombers. In October, it began nightly bombing attacks from St. Eval
, Cornwall
, on German shipping and docks at Brest, France
. During these attacks, the commanding officer of 829 NAS L/C OS Stevinson and crew was lost on 9 October 1940. In the next month, the squadron was assigned to the aircraft carrier , which then sailed to escort the convoy WS-5A to West Africa
and Cape Town
. Part of the convoy came into contact with the German heavy cruiser
, but the aircraft of 829 NAS failed to sight her. Leaving Cape Town in January 1941, HMS Formidable sailed for the Red Sea
, where her aircraft carried out attacks on the Italian-held cities
of Mogadishu
and Massawa
in February. After a passage through the Suez Canal
, the squadron had to be partially re-equipped with Fairey Swordfish
due to losses.
During the Battle of Matapan
, late in March, one of the squadron's Albacores scored a hit on the Italian battleship , where the squadron CO L/C LCB Ashburner was shot down and killed. Further activities in the Mediterranean involved an attack on an Italian airfield on Karpathos
, the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese
islands, at the end of May, after which the aircraft operated from Lod
for some time, attacking Vichy French
shipping during the Syria-Lebanon campaign
. However, on 26 May 1941, HMS Formidable received serious damage while transporting aircraft to Malta
, being hit by two German 1000 kg (2,205 lb) bombs that put her out of action for six months. 829 NAS was stationed in June on Cyprus
where all Albacores were left when the carrier sailed for repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
(U.S.) in July 1941. Six of the squadron's Swordfish provided anti-submarine patrols whilst the carrier was en route for repairs in the U.S., by way of Cape Town.
After being put ashore in Jamaica
, 829 NAS joined for passage to Norfolk, Virginia
(U.S.), before rejoining the repaired HMS Formidable to return to Great Britain. There the squadron received 12 new ASV-equipped Swordfish Mk.II, with which it rejoined HMS Illustrious in March 1942. Sailing by way of Cape Town, 829 NAS took part in an attack on Diego-Suarez
during the invasion of Madagascar
In May. Successful attacks were carried out on the Vichy French submarines Bėvėziers and Le Hėros, and also a sloop and an escort ship, for the loss of five aircraft. Airborne support was provided in September for attacks on the remaining Vichy troops in south Madagascar. Following this, HMS Illustrious sailed to Durban
for a refit, and whilst there 829 NAS was amalgamated with 810 Naval Air Squadron
at Stamford Hill airfield (near Durban) on 7 October 1942.
, flying twelve Fairey Barracuda MK.II
as part of the 52nd Naval TBR Wing. These embarked in in February 1944, and on 3 April took part in Operation Tungsten
, a successful attack on the German battleship in the Kåfjord
, Norway
for the loss of two aircraft. After an abortive attempt to carry out a similar attack in May, attacks were made on shipping off Norway, but on 9 July 1944 829 NAS was amalgamated with 831 Naval Air Squadron on HMS Victorious and ceased to exist.
, Cornwall (UK), on 4 March 1964. The squadron was formed from a nucleus of No. 700W Flight, which was the training unit for Westland Wasp
helicopter crews. Its task was to provide helicopter detachments to operate from small ships and survey vessels, the Wasp HAS1 performing in the role of a medium range anti-submarine torpedo carrying helicopter. The first four such flights were allocated to the frigates , , , and .
The squadron also took over the responsibility for the Westland Wessex HAS1
helicopters operating from County class destroyer
s. In 1969, the HAS1 was replaced by the Wessex HAS3. In December 1964, 829 NAS handed over the task of Wasp conversion to 706 Naval Air Squadron, and was relocated to RNAS Portland, Dorset
. Until the Wasp
was retired in 1988, the squadron remained responsible for all Wasp-equipped Ship's Flights. This led to several Wasps from the squadron, re-painted as a fictional HMS Hero
Flight, being used in the popular 1970s BBC television drama
series Warship
.
When 771 Naval Air Squadron was disbanded in January 1965, 829 NAS also received Westland Whirlwind helicopters returning them when 771 NAS reformed in June 1967. In 1966, 829 NAS also received two Wessex HU5s for operation from the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Regent
and Resource
. Responsibility for the ice patrol ship was also taken over in 1966, initially using Whirlwind HAR1s. These were soon replaced by Whirlwind HAR9s, which transferred to in 1968, and were eventually replaced by Wasp helicopters in 1976. In June 1970, responsibility for small ships' Wessex helicopters was transferred to 737 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Portland.
A further restructuring took place in January 1972 when 703 Naval Air Squadron
was established at RNAS Portland to take over the Wasp conversion and operational flying training role. This task was re-assigned to 829 NAS in January 1981. In August 1982, the operation of Wessex HAS3 anti-submarine detachments was returned to 737 NAS.
in 1982. They were embarked in the Type 21 frigate
, the Rothesay-class frigate
s and , the ice patrol ship HMS Endurance, the MV Contender Bezant
and the survey ships , , and . On 25 April 1982, the Argentinian submarine
Santa Fe was spotted by a Wessex HAS3
from . The Wessex then attacked it with depth charge
s. launched a Wasp HAS1 helicopter, and launched a Westland Lynx HAS2
. The Lynx attacked the submarine with a MK 46 torpedo, and also strafed it with its pintle-mounted GPMG
; the Wessex also fired on the Santa Fe with its GPMG. The Wasp from HMS Plymouth as well as two other Wasps launched from HMS Endurance fired AS.12
antiship missiles at the submarine, scoring hits. Santa Fe was damaged badly enough to prevent her from submerging. The crew abandoned the submarine at the jetty at King Edward Point on South Georgia and surrendered to the British forces, thus becoming the first casualty of the sea war, as well as the first direct engagement by the Royal Navy Task Force.
The last Wasp was finally withdrawn from service in 1988 when the last of the Type 12 Rothesay class frigates was decommissioned. Starting in September 1986 829 NAS had already received a number of Westland Lynx HAS2
detachments transferred from 815 Naval Air Squadron
. In 1988 the squadron eventually had up to 30 Lynx. Flights were regularly deployed on the Armilla patrol
in the Persian Gulf
. The squadron was awarded the "Boyd Trophy" jointly with 815 NAS for their service in the Persian Gulf.
. Six Lynx helicopters armed with Sea Skua
missiles were sent from 829 NAS to the Gulf on four Royal Navy frigates.
The first success came when Lynx 335 from —together with an American
Seahawk
—came across and destroyed a minesweeper
or landing vessel. Lynx 335—along with s Lynx and U.S. forces—subsequently also destroyed two Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery
batteries mounted on offshore oil rigs
off Kuwait
. On 24 January 1991, Lynx 335 attacked three Iraqi vessels off the island
of Quarah, sinking two minesweepers. Lynx 335 also attempted to capture a minelayer, but she was scuttled by her Iraqi crew. Quarah was later captured by coalition forces, becoming the first Iraqi territory to be liberated.
On 29 January, Royal Navy helicopters spotted a flotilla of 17 Iraqi landing craft, part of an attempted amphibious assault in support of the Iraqi forces engaged in the Battle of Khafji
. Lynxes from , Gloucester and Cardiff sank two, while the rest were either damaged, sunk or dispersed by U.S. carrier-borne aircraft and Royal Navy Westland Sea King
helicopters..
On 30 January, a convoy consisting of three Polnochny-class landing ships, three TNC-45 fast-attack craft and a single Type 43 minelayer was attacked. HMS Gloucester>s Lynx destroyed a TNC-45, while Cardiff and Brazens Lynxes attacked the Type 43. Other units were also damaged, including a Polnochny that was later destroyed by RAF SEPECAT Jaguar
s. On 8 February, Lynx 335 attacked a Zhuk-class patrol boat, and on 11 February, the same helicopter sank another Zhuk.
In total, Lynx helicopters from 829 NAS were responsible for 15 Iraqi ships sunk in the war, at least five of which were sunk by a single helicopter, Lynx 335.
The Squadron was disbanded on 26 March 1993, when all its Lynx Flights were absorbed by 815 NAS.
s: , , , , , , , , and .
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
. It operates the AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin HM1
AgustaWestland EH101
The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use. The helicopter was developed as a joint venture between Westland Helicopters in the UK and Agusta in Italy...
helicopter.
1940–1942
829 Naval Air Squadron first formed on 15 June 1940 as a torpedo and reconnaissance squadron at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Ford, SussexSussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
(UK) and equipped with nine Fairey Albacore
Fairey Albacore
The Fairey Albacore was a British single-engine carrier-borne biplane torpedo bomber built by Fairey Aviation between 1939 and 1943 for the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and used during the Second World War. It had a three-man crew and was designed for spotting and reconnaissance as well as delivering...
torpedo bombers. In October, it began nightly bombing attacks from St. Eval
St Eval
St Eval is a civil parish and hamlet in north Cornwall, United Kingdom. The hamlet is situated approximately four miles southwest of Padstow....
, Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, on German shipping and docks at Brest, France
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
. During these attacks, the commanding officer of 829 NAS L/C OS Stevinson and crew was lost on 9 October 1940. In the next month, the squadron was assigned to the aircraft carrier , which then sailed to escort the convoy WS-5A to West Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. Part of the convoy came into contact with the German heavy cruiser
Heavy cruiser
The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
, but the aircraft of 829 NAS failed to sight her. Leaving Cape Town in January 1941, HMS Formidable sailed for the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
, where her aircraft carried out attacks on the Italian-held cities
East African Campaign (World War II)
The East African Campaign was a series of battles fought in East Africa during World War II by the British Empire, the British Commonwealth of Nations and several allies against the forces of Italy from June 1940 to November 1941....
of Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
and Massawa
Massawa
Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa Massawa, also known as Mitsiwa (Ge'ez ምጽዋዕ , formerly ባጽዕ is a city on the Red Sea coast of Eritrea. An important port for many centuries, it was ruled by a succession of polities, including the Axumite Empire, the Umayyad Caliphate,...
in February. After a passage through the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
, the squadron had to be partially re-equipped with Fairey Swordfish
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War...
due to losses.
During the Battle of Matapan
Battle of Matapan
The naval Battle of Matapan took place on 19 July 1717 off the Cape Matapan, on the coast of the Mani Peninsula in southern Greece, between the combined naval forces of Venice, Portugal, the Papal States and Malta and the Ottoman fleet, under Kapudan Pasha...
, late in March, one of the squadron's Albacores scored a hit on the Italian battleship , where the squadron CO L/C LCB Ashburner was shot down and killed. Further activities in the Mediterranean involved an attack on an Italian airfield on Karpathos
Karpathos
Karpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
, the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese
Dodecanese
The Dodecanese are a group of 12 larger plus 150 smaller Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, of which 26 are inhabited. Τhis island group generally defines the eastern limit of the Sea of Crete. They belong to the Southern Sporades island group...
islands, at the end of May, after which the aircraft operated from Lod
Lod
Lod is a city located on the Sharon Plain southeast of Tel Aviv in the Center District of Israel. At the end of 2010, it had a population of 70,000, roughly 75 percent Jewish and 25 percent Arab.The name is derived from the Biblical city of Lod...
for some time, attacking Vichy French
Vichy France
Vichy France, Vichy Regime, or Vichy Government, are common terms used to describe the government of France that collaborated with the Axis powers from July 1940 to August 1944. This government succeeded the Third Republic and preceded the Provisional Government of the French Republic...
shipping during the Syria-Lebanon campaign
Syria-Lebanon campaign
The Syria–Lebanon campaign, also known as Operation Exporter, was the Allied invasion of Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon, in June–July 1941, during World War II. Time Magazine referred to the fighting as a "mixed show" while it was taking place and the campaign remains little known, even...
. However, on 26 May 1941, HMS Formidable received serious damage while transporting aircraft to Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, being hit by two German 1000 kg (2,205 lb) bombs that put her out of action for six months. 829 NAS was stationed in June on Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
where all Albacores were left when the carrier sailed for repairs at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard and abbreviated as NNSY, is a U.S. Navy facility in Portsmouth, Virginia, for building, remodeling, and repairing the Navy's ships. It's the oldest and largest industrial facility that belongs to the U.S. Navy as well as the most...
(U.S.) in July 1941. Six of the squadron's Swordfish provided anti-submarine patrols whilst the carrier was en route for repairs in the U.S., by way of Cape Town.
After being put ashore in Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, 829 NAS joined for passage to Norfolk, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
(U.S.), before rejoining the repaired HMS Formidable to return to Great Britain. There the squadron received 12 new ASV-equipped Swordfish Mk.II, with which it rejoined HMS Illustrious in March 1942. Sailing by way of Cape Town, 829 NAS took part in an attack on Diego-Suarez
Antsiranana
Antsiranana , named Diego-Suarez prior to 1975, is a city at the northern tip of Madagascar.Antsiranana is the capital of Diana Region.-Transports:...
during the invasion of Madagascar
Battle of Madagascar
The Battle of Madagascar was the Allied campaign to capture Vichy-French-controlled Madagascar during World War II. It began on 5 May 1942. Fighting did not cease until 6 November.-Geo-political:...
In May. Successful attacks were carried out on the Vichy French submarines Bėvėziers and Le Hėros, and also a sloop and an escort ship, for the loss of five aircraft. Airborne support was provided in September for attacks on the remaining Vichy troops in south Madagascar. Following this, HMS Illustrious sailed to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
for a refit, and whilst there 829 NAS was amalgamated with 810 Naval Air Squadron
810 Naval Air Squadron
810 Naval Air Squadron was a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed on 3 April 1933 with the amalgamation of the 12 Blackburn Dart aircraft from 463 and 44 Flight Flights Royal Air Force to the Fleet Air Arm...
at Stamford Hill airfield (near Durban) on 7 October 1942.
1943–1944
On 1 October 1943, 829 NAS was reformed as a torpedo bomber reconnaissance squadron at RNAS Lee-on-the-SolentLee-on-the-Solent
Lee-on-the-Solent, often referred to as Lee-on-Solent, is a small seaside town in Hampshire, England about five miles west of Portsmouth. The town is located on the coast of the Solent and forms part of the borough of Gosport...
, flying twelve Fairey Barracuda MK.II
Fairey Barracuda
The Fairey Barracuda was a British carrier-borne torpedo- and dive bomber used during the Second World War, the first of its type used by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm to be fabricated entirely from metal. It was introduced as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Fairey Albacore biplanes...
as part of the 52nd Naval TBR Wing. These embarked in in February 1944, and on 3 April took part in Operation Tungsten
Operation Tungsten
Operation Tungsten was a British naval operation during World War II. it was one of a number of aerial attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz while she was in Norwegian waters...
, a successful attack on the German battleship in the Kåfjord
Kåfjord, Alta
Kåfjord is a fjord in northern Norway, an arm of the Altafjord, in the county of Finnmark, and a village located on the fjord. The village is in the municipality of Alta, 18 km west of the town of Alta on the European route E6....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
for the loss of two aircraft. After an abortive attempt to carry out a similar attack in May, attacks were made on shipping off Norway, but on 9 July 1944 829 NAS was amalgamated with 831 Naval Air Squadron on HMS Victorious and ceased to exist.
1964–1994
829 was reformed at RNAS CuldroseRNAS Culdrose
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose , based in Cornwall, near Helston, on the Lizard Peninsula, has three major roles: serving the Fleet Air Arm's front line Sea King and Merlin helicopter squadrons; providing search and rescue for the South West region; and training specialists for the Royal Navy...
, Cornwall (UK), on 4 March 1964. The squadron was formed from a nucleus of No. 700W Flight, which was the training unit for Westland Wasp
Westland Wasp
The Westland Wasp was a British small first-generation, gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout, and was based on the earlier piston-engined Saunders-Roe Skeeter...
helicopter crews. Its task was to provide helicopter detachments to operate from small ships and survey vessels, the Wasp HAS1 performing in the role of a medium range anti-submarine torpedo carrying helicopter. The first four such flights were allocated to the frigates , , , and .
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
helicopters operating from County class destroyer
County class destroyer
The County class was a class of guided missile destroyers, the first such vessels built by the Royal Navy. Designed specifically around the Sea Slug anti-aircraft missile system, the primary role of these ships was area air-defence around the aircraft carrier task force in the nuclear-war...
s. In 1969, the HAS1 was replaced by the Wessex HAS3. In December 1964, 829 NAS handed over the task of Wasp conversion to 706 Naval Air Squadron, and was relocated to RNAS Portland, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
. Until the Wasp
Westland Wasp
The Westland Wasp was a British small first-generation, gas-turbine powered, shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Produced by Westland Helicopters, it came from the same P.531 programme as the British Army Westland Scout, and was based on the earlier piston-engined Saunders-Roe Skeeter...
was retired in 1988, the squadron remained responsible for all Wasp-equipped Ship's Flights. This led to several Wasps from the squadron, re-painted as a fictional HMS Hero
HMS Hero
Six Royal Navy ships have been called HMS Hero:, a 74-gun third-rate launched in 1759, a prison ship after 1793, renamed Rochester in 1800, and broken up 1810., a 74-gun third-rate launched in 1803 and wrecked on 25 December 1811, with the loss of all her crew, inside the northern Haaks about five...
Flight, being used in the popular 1970s BBC television drama
BBC television drama
BBC television dramas have been produced and broadcast since even before the public service company had an officially established television broadcasting network in the United Kingdom...
series Warship
Warship (TV series)
Warship was a popular British television drama series produced by the BBC between 1973 and 1977. It was also dubbed into Dutch and broadcast in the Netherlands as Alle hens...
.
When 771 Naval Air Squadron was disbanded in January 1965, 829 NAS also received Westland Whirlwind helicopters returning them when 771 NAS reformed in June 1967. In 1966, 829 NAS also received two Wessex HU5s for operation from the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries Regent
RFA Regent (A486)
RFA Regent was an ammunition, explosives, food, stores ship in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Commissioned in 1967. It took part in the Falklands War. Departing from Plymouth to head South on the 19th April, 1982, , arriving in the Total Exclusion Zone on the 9th May...
and Resource
RFA Resource (A480)
RFA Resource was an armament stores ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.-Falklands War:RFA Resource served in the Falklands War. The ship was captained at that time by Captain Bruce Seymour....
. Responsibility for the ice patrol ship was also taken over in 1966, initially using Whirlwind HAR1s. These were soon replaced by Whirlwind HAR9s, which transferred to in 1968, and were eventually replaced by Wasp helicopters in 1976. In June 1970, responsibility for small ships' Wessex helicopters was transferred to 737 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Portland.
A further restructuring took place in January 1972 when 703 Naval Air Squadron
703 Naval Air Squadron
703 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy was formed as a long-range catapult squadron on 3 June 1942 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent. During the Cold War it was reformed as an experimental trials unit, and then as a helicopter training squadron...
was established at RNAS Portland to take over the Wasp conversion and operational flying training role. This task was re-assigned to 829 NAS in January 1981. In August 1982, the operation of Wessex HAS3 anti-submarine detachments was returned to 737 NAS.
Falklands War
Eleven Westland Wasp HAS1 helicopters of 829 NAS participated in the Falklands WarFalklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
in 1982. They were embarked in the Type 21 frigate
Type 21 frigate
The Type 21 frigate or Amazon-class frigate was a Royal Navy general-purpose escort designed in the late 1960s, built in the 1970s and that served throughout the 1980s into the 1990s.-History:...
, the Rothesay-class frigate
Rothesay class frigate
The Rothesay class, or Type 12M frigates were a class of frigates serving with the Royal Navy, South African Navy and the New Zealand Navy....
s and , the ice patrol ship HMS Endurance, the MV Contender Bezant
RFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus is a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, part of the Royal Navy. Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MV Contender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for use as an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA...
and the survey ships , , and . On 25 April 1982, the Argentinian submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
Santa Fe was spotted by a Wessex HAS3
Westland Wessex
The Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
from . The Wessex then attacked it with depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
s. launched a Wasp HAS1 helicopter, and launched a Westland Lynx HAS2
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
. The Lynx attacked the submarine with a MK 46 torpedo, and also strafed it with its pintle-mounted GPMG
FN MAG
The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the...
; the Wessex also fired on the Santa Fe with its GPMG. The Wasp from HMS Plymouth as well as two other Wasps launched from HMS Endurance fired AS.12
Aerospatiale SS.12/AS.12
The SS.12 and AS.12 are two variants of the same missile: SS for surface-to-surface and AS for air-to-surface. It was designed in 1955-1957 by Nord Aviation, later Aérospatiale...
antiship missiles at the submarine, scoring hits. Santa Fe was damaged badly enough to prevent her from submerging. The crew abandoned the submarine at the jetty at King Edward Point on South Georgia and surrendered to the British forces, thus becoming the first casualty of the sea war, as well as the first direct engagement by the Royal Navy Task Force.
The last Wasp was finally withdrawn from service in 1988 when the last of the Type 12 Rothesay class frigates was decommissioned. Starting in September 1986 829 NAS had already received a number of Westland Lynx HAS2
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
detachments transferred from 815 Naval Air Squadron
815 Naval Air Squadron
815 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, part of the Royal Navy. The squadron is currently based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, United Kingdom and it is the Navy's front line Lynx Naval Air Squadron. It currently comprises more than 30 Lynx helicopters of various types...
. In 1988 the squadron eventually had up to 30 Lynx. Flights were regularly deployed on the Armilla patrol
Armilla patrol
The Armilla patrol is the British Royal Navy's permanent presence in the Persian Gulf.The Royal Navy withdrew its forces from the Persian Gulf in 1971 in line with the UK's general retreat from imperial commitments. However, tensions in the area remained high and Royal Navy ships were still a...
in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
. The squadron was awarded the "Boyd Trophy" jointly with 815 NAS for their service in the Persian Gulf.
Persian Gulf War
Between August 1990 and February 1991, several flights of 829 NAS participated in the Persian Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. Six Lynx helicopters armed with Sea Skua
Sea Skua
The Sea Skua is a British lightweight short-range air-to-surface missile designed for use from helicopters against ships. It is primarily used by the Royal Navy on the Westland Lynx helicopter, although Kuwait uses it in a shore battery and on their Umm Al Maradem fast attack craft.The British...
missiles were sent from 829 NAS to the Gulf on four Royal Navy frigates.
The first success came when Lynx 335 from —together with an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Seahawk
SH-60 Seahawk
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...
—came across and destroyed a minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
or landing vessel. Lynx 335—along with s Lynx and U.S. forces—subsequently also destroyed two Iraqi anti-aircraft artillery
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
batteries mounted on offshore oil rigs
Oil platform
An oil platform, also referred to as an offshore platform or, somewhat incorrectly, oil rig, is a lаrge structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing...
off Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
. On 24 January 1991, Lynx 335 attacked three Iraqi vessels off the island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
of Quarah, sinking two minesweepers. Lynx 335 also attempted to capture a minelayer, but she was scuttled by her Iraqi crew. Quarah was later captured by coalition forces, becoming the first Iraqi territory to be liberated.
On 29 January, Royal Navy helicopters spotted a flotilla of 17 Iraqi landing craft, part of an attempted amphibious assault in support of the Iraqi forces engaged in the Battle of Khafji
Battle of Khafji
The Battle of Khafji was the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War. It took place in and around the Saudi Arabian city of Khafji, from 29 January to 1 February 1991 and marked the culmination of the Coalition's air campaign over Kuwait and Iraq, which had begun on 17 January 1991.Iraqi...
. Lynxes from , Gloucester and Cardiff sank two, while the rest were either damaged, sunk or dispersed by U.S. carrier-borne aircraft and Royal Navy Westland Sea King
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
helicopters..
On 30 January, a convoy consisting of three Polnochny-class landing ships, three TNC-45 fast-attack craft and a single Type 43 minelayer was attacked. HMS Gloucester>s Lynx destroyed a TNC-45, while Cardiff and Brazens Lynxes attacked the Type 43. Other units were also damaged, including a Polnochny that was later destroyed by RAF SEPECAT Jaguar
SEPECAT Jaguar
The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French jet ground attack aircraft, originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Armée de l'Air in the close air support and nuclear strike role, and still in service with several export customers, notably the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force...
s. On 8 February, Lynx 335 attacked a Zhuk-class patrol boat, and on 11 February, the same helicopter sank another Zhuk.
In total, Lynx helicopters from 829 NAS were responsible for 15 Iraqi ships sunk in the war, at least five of which were sunk by a single helicopter, Lynx 335.
The Squadron was disbanded on 26 March 1993, when all its Lynx Flights were absorbed by 815 NAS.
2004–present
The squadron recommissioned in its current role on 21 October 2004 and is currently located at RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall. The current Commanding Officer is Lt Cdr Ben Franklin RN. 829 NAS provides six detachments ("flights") for the following Type 23 frigateType 23 frigate
The Type 23 frigate is a class of frigate built for the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. All the ships were first named after British Dukes, thus the class is also known as the Duke class. The first Type 23 was commissioned in 1989, and the sixteenth, was launched in May 2000 and commissioned in...
s: , , , , , , , , and .
External links
- Royal Navy – 829 Squadron