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1700 Naval Air Squadron

Non-flying squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1700 Naval Air Squadron
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1700 Naval Air Squadron (1700 NAS) is a non-flying Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). On 31 October 2017, the Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF) at RNAS Culdrose was recommissioned as 1700 Naval Air Squadron. The unit provides personnel and naval aviation support to operations for ships and land bases globally.[1] The squadron serves as a comprehensive resource for specialised skills, fulfilling personnel needs and delivering naval aviation support to both maritime and terrestrial bases worldwide. Comprising medics, meteorologists, engineers, and aircraft controllers, the can deploy to any location around the globe within hours.[2]

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The squadron was formed in November 1944 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as an amphibian bomber reconnaissance squadron.[3] It was equipped with the Supermarine Sea Otter, and the squadron joined HMS Khedive in January 1945 bound for Sulur in India. On arrival the Sea Otters were augmented with Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft.[3]

The squadron's aircraft were distributed among the escort carriers of the Far East Fleet for air sea rescue and minesweeping duties. By April 1945 aircraft of the squadron were serving in HM Ships Stalker, Hunter, Khedive, Emperor, Ameer, Attacker and Shah.[3] July saw operations at Car Nicobar, and off Phuket Island.[4]

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History

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Air Sea Rescue (1944-1946)

1700 Naval Air Squadron formed on 1 November 1944 as an Air Sea Rescue (ASR) squadron at RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus), Hampshire, England.[5] It was initially equipped with six Supermarine Sea Otter, an amphibious maritime patrol and air sea rescue aircraft, planned for operations in the Pacific theatre.[6] The squadron personnel consisted commanding officer Lieutenant(A) A.B. Edgar, RNVR, six pilots and six observers. Upon finishing the work-up, the squadron boarded the Ruler-class escort carrier, HMS Khedive, on 8 January 1945, at the Aircraft Maintenance Yard, RNAMY Belfast (HMS Gadwall), County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.[7] in preparation for the journey to southern India.[8]

HMS Khedive reached Cochin, India, on 3 February. Following the unloading of their aircraft, 1700 Naval Air Squadron departed for RNAS Sulur (HMS Vairi) in Coimbatore, Southern India, located 120 miles (190 km) to the northeast, on 8 February. At this location, several Supermarine Sea Otter aircraft and multiple Supermarine Walrus amphibious maritime patrol aircraft, as the Supermarine Sea Otter had yet to receive clearance for landing on the deck, were provided by the nearby RN Aircraft Repair Yard (RNARY) at Coimbatore, HMS Garuda.[7][6] On 4 April 1945, the squadron relocated to the Royal Air Force flying boat base in Koggala, Ceylon, where aircraft were embarked in small numbers in various escort carriers for Air Sea Rescue,[8] including the Attacker-class escort carriers, HMS Stalker and HMS Hunter[6] which were among the escort carriers that constituted the protective force for the amphibious assault on Rangoon, which took place on 2 May and was designated Operation Dracula. Additionally, HMS Hunter participated in an anti-shipping operation in the Andaman Sea, known as Operation Mitre, as well as in Operation Dukedom.[7]

A detachment was embarked in the Ruler-class escort carrier, HMS Emperor during operations at Car Nicobar in July, and also minesweeping activities. Additional detachments were assigned to the escort carriers HMS Ameer, HMS Attacker, HMS Shah and HMS Khedive.[7] After the Victory over Japan Day, the squadron was primarily stationed on land. 'A' Flight operated six Supermarine Sea Otter aircraft from RNAS Trincomalee (HMS Bambara), Ceylon, starting in November, while 'B' Flight had six Supermarine Walrus aircraft at RNAS Katukurunda (HMS Ukussa), Ceylon,. 'C' Flight occasionally operated from RNAS Sembawang (HMS Nabrock), Sembawang, Singapore, and a small number of Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber aircraft and other aircraft types such as Grumman Avenger and Supermarine Seafire, were also flown during this period.[8]

On 3 June 1946, 1700 Naval Air Squadron was absorbed into 733 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Trincomalee (HMS Bambara).[6]

Aviation Support Squadron (2017-present)

Previously known as the Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF) and stationed at RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), Cornwall, the unit was reclassified as 1700 Naval Air Squadron on 2 October 2017. The official commissioning of the new squadron took place during a ceremony on 31 October with Lieutenant Commander C. Roberts, RN, serving as the commanding officer.[9]

When a Fleet Air Arm aircraft or squadron is deployed to a ship or a distant operational base, it is the responsibility of the squadron to establish the required support facilities. 1700 Naval Air Squadron deploys specialised teams consisting of two to fifty personnel, guaranteeing that vessels and other remote operational bases are equipped with the essential support staff whenever and wherever needed. This squadron offers a comprehensive array of services, including engineering, aviation, and logistical support, as well as flight deck operations, warfare capabilities, and medical assistance.[2]

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Aircraft flown

1700 Naval Air Squadron flew a number of different aircraft types, including:[8]

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Battle honours

The battle honours awarded to 1700 Naval Air Squadron are:

Naval air stations

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1700 Naval Air Squadron operated mostly from a number of naval air stations of the Royal Navy overseasand a number of escort carriers, during its initial formation:[8]

1944 - 1946

'A' Flight:

  • Royal Naval Air Station Trincomalee (HMS Bambara), Ceylon, (17 November 1945 - 3 June 1946)

'B' Flight:

'C' Flight:

2017 - present

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Commanding officers

List of commanding officers of 1700 Naval Air Squadron with date of appointment:[8][9]

1944 - 1946

  • Lieutenant(A) A.B. Edgar, RNVR, from 1 November 1944
  • Lieutenant(A) J.A. Gossett, RNVR, from 25 January 1946
  • disbanded - 3 June 1946

2017 - present

  • Lieutenant Commander C. Roberts, RN, from 2 October 2017
  • Lieutenant Commander R. Turrell, RN, from March 2022
  • Lieutenant Commander B.J. Smith, RN, from 17 July 2024[11]

Note: Abbreviation (A) signifies Air Branch of the RN or RNVR.[12]

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References

External links

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