| |  848 squadron
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848 Naval Air Squadron was formed at Quonset Point (Rhode Island), USA on 1 Jun 1943, working up with Avengers for torpedo bombing and reconnaissance. After action during D-Day it served eventually with the Pacific Fleet. After the end of the Pacific war, it disbanded at Devonport, near Plymouth on 31 Oct 1945.  It became a helicopter unit when it reformed at RNAS Gosport with Whirlwind HAR.22s on 29 Oct 1952, where they worked up before a period of Far East service, until disbandment on 18 Dec 1956. It achieved further distinction as the first officially recognised Commando support unit when it reformed at RNAS Hal Far with the Whirlwind HAS.22 on on 14 Oct 1958 from C Flight of 728 Squadron, when it operated in Cyprus in support of 45 Commando, Royal Marines. By Mar 1960, now re-equipped with the initially disappointing Whirlwind HAS.7 from a further re-formation at RNAS Worthy Down in 1959, it deployed on an almost around-the-world assignment on HMS Bulwark (R08). It re-equipped with the Wessex HU.5 during autumn 1964 and by Aug 1967 one of a very few Wasp HAS.1s joined the strength for liaison duties until Jul 1973. After further Far East, Mediterranean and West Indies missions, the unit disbanded at RNAS Yeovilton on 31 Mar 1976. To provide a much-needed increase to the troop lift capability during the South Atlantic campaign, the Squadron was hurredly reformed for short service from parts of 707 and 772 Squadrons with the Wessex HU.5 on 17 Apr 1982. It went south in detatchments; A Flight on RFA Regent (A486), RFA Olna (A123) shipped B Flight, C Flight was on RFA Olwen (A122) and the ill-fated D Flight on the mv Atlantic Conveyor, which was sunk on 25 May. This transport arrangement probably spoke more of the lack of strategic sea-lift than for a desire to spread the risk, by dispersing the unit's airframes and personnel. The unit disbanded again after an eventful period of operations on 30 Nov 1982, back at RNAS Yeovilton. As a further international crisis loomed, 848 Squadron was again recalled, this time reforming with the Sea King HC.4 at Yeovilton on 16 Nov 1990 to see service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Middle East. It returned to the UK and disbanded again on 19 Apr 1991. |
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