RNAS Culdrose
Encyclopedia
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), 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
(see NACSAC
).
It is one of only two remaining naval air stations in the UK, the other being RNAS Yeovilton
.
The initial plans were for Culdrose to serve as a Naval Fighting School, it soon developed other roles. These varied roles included such things as the trials of the Navy's first jets, training of Airbone Early Warning crews and as a home base for carrier based aircraft. Over the years the stations emphasis changed from fixed wing aircraft to rotary wing, although its main role remains largely the same.
750 Naval Air Squadron
King Air
Observer Training
Provides training for the Fleet Air Arm's Observers.
Motto: "Teach and Strike"
HU Mk5
Search & Rescue
771 NAS is responsible for Search and Rescue in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the Western English Channel, in total an area of approximately 200 nmi (370.4 km). It also administers the Sea Kings on detachment at HMS Gannet
.
Motto: "Non Nobis Solum
" - "Not unto us alone"
792 Naval Air Squadron
(decomissioned)
Mirach 100/5 unmanned subsonic drones
Air Target Unit
Motto: "Sapienta Vincit Tenebras" - "Wisdom Conquers Darkness"
814 Naval Air Squadron
Merlin HM Mk1
Carrier Based Anti-Submarine Warfare
Motto: "In hoc signo vinces" - "In this sign you will conquer"
820 Naval Air Squadron
Merlin HM Mk1
Carrier Based Anti-Submarine Warfare
Equipped with a Merlin helicopter, fitted with an advanced sensor suite of active/passive sonics, Orange Reaper Electronic Support Measures and Blue Kestrel radar, 820 NAS provides a strong force in Under Water Warfare and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare. Its various roles include protecting the Royal Navy
against surface and sub-surface threats, command and control, transport, evacuation and Search and Rescue capabilities.
Motto: "Tutamen et Ultor" - "Safeguard and Avenger"
824 Naval Air Squadron
Merlin HM Mk1
Merlin training, incorporating OEU flight
Motto: "Spectat Ubique Spiritus" - "Behold the Wind from all around"
829 Naval Air Squadron
Merlin HM Mk1
829 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It operates the AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin Helicopter, providing six "flights" capable of deploying with the following Type 23 frigates: HM Ships Somerset, Lancaster, Monmouth, Montrose, Westminster, Northumberland, Kent, Richmond, and Portland.
Motto: "Non Effugient" - "They Shall Not Escape"
Airborne Surveillance and Control
849 NAS provides the Royal Navy with Airborne Early Warning Radar.
Motto: "Primus Video", "The Eyes of the Fleet" - "The First to See"
854 Naval Air Squadron
Sea King Mk7
Airborne Surveillance and Control
Motto: "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" – "Fortune helps the Daring"
857 Naval Air Squadron
Sea King Mk7
Airborne Surveillance and Control
Motto: "Animis Opibusque Parati" – "Prepared In Minds & Resources"
Motto: "Auxilio Ad Alta" (Reaching The Heights With Help)
Trainees are thoroughly trained in activities they will be required to carry out during their career, such as tackling aircraft fires and aircraft deck handling amongst others. Equipment used includes; mock-up aircraft within which smoke and flames can be produced and adjusted at the instructors control and the "Dummy Deck", a full-sized replica of an Invincible class aircraft carrier's deck allowing trainees to practice their roles in realistic environments, experiencing training with live aircraft with reduced risk and danger compared to operating on a real aircraft carrier.
Motto: "Nostris in Manibus Tuti" (Safe In our Hands)
The primary task of the ETS is to train sufficient Air Engineering personnel to enable the Front Line to achieve operational capability. It comprises approximately 20 personnel including both service and civilian instructors and is headed by a Lieutenant who is responsible to Commander of Air Engineering.
which it uses primarily as a relief landing ground for helicopter pilot training; it also houses a small arms range and aircraft fire fighting facilities.
is responsible for performing all Royal Navy and Royal Air Force EH101 Merlin depth maintenance
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...
, near Helston
Helston
Helston is a town and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is situated at the northern end of the Lizard Peninsula approximately 12 miles east of Penzance and nine miles southwest of Falmouth. Helston is the most southerly town in the UK and is around further south than...
, on the Lizard Peninsula, has three major roles: serving the 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...
's front line 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...
and Merlin
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
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
squadrons; providing search and rescue for the South West region; and training specialists for the Royal Navy
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...
(see NACSAC
Naval Air Command Sub Aqua Club
The Naval Air Command Sub Aqua Club is an organisation within the Royal Navy that oversees sports and technical diving training activities for naval aviation and fleet units. Today it has branches at RNAS Culdrose and RNAS Yeovilton . Both bases provide training, and club members regularly dive...
).
It is one of only two remaining naval air stations in the UK, the other being RNAS Yeovilton
RNAS Yeovilton
Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, or RNAS Yeovilton, is an airfield of the Royal Navy, sited in South West England a few miles north of Yeovil in Somerset...
.
History
Admiralty surveyors first started preliminary surveys of land near Helston in 1942. RNAS Culdrose was commissioned as HMS Seahawk five years after these initial surveys. The station was originally designed to be a wartime airfield lasting about ten years.The initial plans were for Culdrose to serve as a Naval Fighting School, it soon developed other roles. These varied roles included such things as the trials of the Navy's first jets, training of Airbone Early Warning crews and as a home base for carrier based aircraft. Over the years the stations emphasis changed from fixed wing aircraft to rotary wing, although its main role remains largely the same.
750 Naval Air Squadron750 Naval Air SquadronThe Royal Navy Observer School grew out of HM Naval Seaplane Training School at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as a result of a series of changes of identity and parent unit. From 1918 until 1939 the Royal Air Force was responsible for naval aviation, including training and provision of aircrew to the Royal...
King AirObserver Training
Provides training for the Fleet Air Arm's Observers.
Motto: "Teach and Strike"
771 Naval Air Squadron
Sea KingWestland 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...
HU Mk5
Search & Rescue
771 NAS is responsible for Search and Rescue in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the Western English Channel, in total an area of approximately 200 nmi (370.4 km). It also administers the Sea Kings on detachment at HMS Gannet
HMS Gannet SAR Flight
HMS Gannet SAR Flight is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron based at RNAS Prestwick in Scotland. It operates three Sea King Mk5 helicopters in the military and civilian Search and Rescue role across Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland...
.
Motto: "Non Nobis Solum
Non nobis solum
Non nobis solum is a Latin motto. A common variation is non nobis, sed omnibus . It means that people should contribute to the general greater good of humanity, apart from their own interests....
" - "Not unto us alone"
792 Naval Air Squadron792 Naval Air Squadron792 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy was originally formed at St. Merryn in August 1939 as an Air Target Unit, equipped with six Blackburn Skuas. The squadron disbanded in 1945 and merged with 794 Naval Air Squadron....
(decomissioned)Mirach 100/5 unmanned subsonic drones
Air Target Unit
Motto: "Sapienta Vincit Tenebras" - "Wisdom Conquers Darkness"
814 Naval Air Squadron814 Naval Air Squadron814 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was formed in December 1938 and has been disbanded and reformed several times. Its nickname is "the Flying Tigers", not to be confused with the American Volunteer squadron of WWII....
Merlin HM Mk1Carrier Based Anti-Submarine Warfare
Motto: "In hoc signo vinces" - "In this sign you will conquer"
820 Naval Air Squadron820 Naval Air Squadron820 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron formed in April 1933 with the transferral of the Fairey III aircraft from 405 Flight Royal Air Force to the Fleet Air Arm...
Merlin HM Mk1Carrier Based Anti-Submarine Warfare
Equipped with a Merlin helicopter, fitted with an advanced sensor suite of active/passive sonics, Orange Reaper Electronic Support Measures and Blue Kestrel radar, 820 NAS provides a strong force in Under Water Warfare and Anti-Surface Unit Warfare. Its various roles include protecting the Royal Navy
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...
against surface and sub-surface threats, command and control, transport, evacuation and Search and Rescue capabilities.
Motto: "Tutamen et Ultor" - "Safeguard and Avenger"
824 Naval Air Squadron824 Naval Air Squadron824 Naval Air Squadron is a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron first formed on 3 April 1933, disbanding and reforming several times before assuming its current role at RNAS Culdrose as a training squadron....
Merlin HM Mk1Merlin training, incorporating OEU flight
Motto: "Spectat Ubique Spiritus" - "Behold the Wind from all around"
829 Naval Air Squadron829 Naval Air Squadron829 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It operates the AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin HM1 helicopter.-1940–1942:829 Naval Air Squadron first formed on 15 June 1940 as a torpedo and reconnaissance squadron at Royal Naval Air Station Ford, Sussex and equipped with nine...
Merlin HM Mk1829 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It operates the AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin Helicopter, providing six "flights" capable of deploying with the following Type 23 frigates: HM Ships Somerset, Lancaster, Monmouth, Montrose, Westminster, Northumberland, Kent, Richmond, and Portland.
Motto: "Non Effugient" - "They Shall Not Escape"
849 Naval Air Squadron
Sea King Mk7Airborne Surveillance and Control
849 NAS provides the Royal Navy with Airborne Early Warning Radar.
Motto: "Primus Video", "The Eyes of the Fleet" - "The First to See"
854 Naval Air Squadron854 Naval Air Squadron854 Naval Air Squadron was first formed on 1 January 1944, at Squantum Naval Air Station in the USA. It was later disbanded in December 1945. It was reformed December 2006 as a helicopter squadron designed for Airborne Surveillance and Control.- History :...
Sea King Mk7Airborne Surveillance and Control
Motto: "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" – "Fortune helps the Daring"
857 Naval Air Squadron857 Naval Air Squadron857 Naval Air Squadron is a squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was first formed on 1 April 1944 at Squantum NAS in the USA as a Torpedo Reconnaissance unit with Avenger IIs. It reformed in its present state on 13 December 2006, when 849 NAS B Flight recommissioned as 857 Naval Air Squadron...
Sea King Mk7Airborne Surveillance and Control
Motto: "Animis Opibusque Parati" – "Prepared In Minds & Resources"
Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF)
MASF was established on 1 December 2007 with the primary purpose of providing suitably qualified specialist Officers and Ratings to man, operate and maintain all Royal Naval controlled systems in all aviation capable platforms in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The concept is to provide a 'one-stop shop' to meet the personnel requirements to support Naval Aviation operations worldwide. Put more simply, MASF provides tailored manning for the Rotary Wing of the Fleet Air Arm. They operate mainly on RFA ARGUS- providing roughly 50% of the ships company (not including medical staff when embarked). Although MASF HQ is located at RNAS Culdrose they are seen as a separate unit from the rest of the base and once commissioned in the latter part of 2010 all Junior Ratings will start wearing MASF on their Seamen Caps rather than the current HMS Seahawk.Motto: "Auxilio Ad Alta" (Reaching The Heights With Help)
RN School of Flight Deck Operations
The Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations provides professional training for all Naval Aircraft Handlers. The school also trains other Naval personnel and personnel from the RAF and Army who will be involved in operating aircraft at sea.Trainees are thoroughly trained in activities they will be required to carry out during their career, such as tackling aircraft fires and aircraft deck handling amongst others. Equipment used includes; mock-up aircraft within which smoke and flames can be produced and adjusted at the instructors control and the "Dummy Deck", a full-sized replica of an Invincible class aircraft carrier's deck allowing trainees to practice their roles in realistic environments, experiencing training with live aircraft with reduced risk and danger compared to operating on a real aircraft carrier.
Motto: "Nostris in Manibus Tuti" (Safe In our Hands)
Merlin Training Facility
The Merlin Training Facility (MTF) is part of 824 Sqn, and is a first in that it encompasses Pilot, Observer, Aircrewman and Engineering training under one roof. The facility comprises a Cockpit Dynamic Simulator (CDS), 3 Rear Crew Trainers (RCT), 6 Part Task Trainers (PTT), Computer Based Training (CBT) classrooms, a Mechanical Systems Trainer (MST) and a Weapon Systems Trainer (WST).Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit (FRADU)
FRADU is operated by the contractor Serco Defence and Aerospace as part of the RN MAC 2004, using 13 Bae Hawk T1 advanced jet trainer aircraft on lease to the Royal Navy from the RAF and based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall. Two of these aircraft are permanently detached to Naval Flying Standards Flight (fixed wing) at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton where they are flown by RN pilots, but maintained by Serco engineers.Engineering Training Section
The Engineering Training Section (ETS) at RNAS Culdrose is a small unit of the Air Engineering Department that is dedicated to the instruction of Sea King and Generic Air Engineering training.The primary task of the ETS is to train sufficient Air Engineering personnel to enable the Front Line to achieve operational capability. It comprises approximately 20 personnel including both service and civilian instructors and is headed by a Lieutenant who is responsible to Commander of Air Engineering.
Naval Flying Standards Flight (Rotary Wing)
All rotary wing (helicopter) pilots, observers and aircrewmen are assessed annually by NFSF(RW) examiners. This covers all Helicopter Squadrons at RNAS Yeovilton as well as Culdrose. The assessment consists of a ground exam and a check flight, and may also occur if a Squadron has referred them to NFSF(RW).Predannack Airfield
RNAS Culdrose has a satellite airfield at PredannackPredannack Airfield
Predannack Airfield is situated near Mullion on Cornwall's Lizard Peninsula in the United Kingdom. The runways are operated by the Royal Navy and today it is used as a satellite airfield and relief landing ground for nearby RNAS Culdrose.-World War II:...
which it uses primarily as a relief landing ground for helicopter pilot training; it also houses a small arms range and aircraft fire fighting facilities.
Merlin Depth Maintenance Facility
Merlin Depth Maintenance FacilityMerlin Depth Maintenance Facility
Merlin Depth Maintenance Facility is located at RNAS Culdrose, Helston, Cornwall, and is responsible for performing Depth Maintenace on EH101 Merlin helicopters of both the Royal Navy, primarily based at RNAS Culdrose , and those of the Royal Air Force, primarily based at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire...
is responsible for performing all Royal Navy and Royal Air Force EH101 Merlin depth maintenance
External links
- Royal Navy - RNAS Culdrose
- RNAS Culdrose section of helis.com Helicopter History site