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723 squadron

Fleet Air Arm (RAN)

1952 to present

Unit History:

The squadrons primary role is Pilot, Observer and Aircrew training through the Pilot Basic Rotary Course (PBRC), Pilot Advanced Rotary Course (PARC), Observer Basic Rotary Course (OBRC) and Aircrew Basic Rotary Course (ABRC)

Formed on 7 Apr 1952 with an eclectic mix of fixed wing types, as the RAN Anti-Submarine School. Received the first 3 RAN helicopters (the Bristol Sycamore) on 11 Mar 1953 and worked until decommissioning on 25 Oct 1956. Re-commissioned on 18 Feb 1957 with 5 Sycamores and 4 fixed wing aircraft, which were transferred to 724 Squadron in Nov 1961, leaving 723 Squadron as an all rotary wing unit. 2 Scouts arrived for Survey Support work in April 1962 and 6 UH-1B Iroquois arrived in May 1964 to eventually replace the Sycamores, which were finally withdrawn in June 1965. In 1969, it was restyled HT-723, in common with US Navy practice. The Hueys formed the core of the aircrew training for RANs Viet-Nam commitment. In 1973 both Scouts were replaced by 3 CAC Kiowa. When 725 Squadron decommissioned, 4 Wessex 31Bs arrived for Utility Support work. 6 more Wessex arrived in 1979 for use in the Army Support role. All 10 Wessex departed for 816 Squadron in 1984, being replaced by 6 AS350B Squirrels. In Aug 2000, the remaining 3 Kiowas on charge were transferred to Australian Army Aviation.

Bases / Heliports of this unit:

Years	Base / Heliport
1957/now	Nowra
1953/56	Nowra

Models served in this unit:	Login to Edit

Years	Models
1984/now	as350 ecureuil
1976/84	wessex
1973/00	ca-32 kiowa
1962/73	scout
1953/64	sycamore

Construction Numbers in this Organisation: (Not all in this unit)	Help Us

C/N	Version	Built	In this Organisation	In other Org
1727	as350b		N22-001: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-001	A22-001: RAAF d/d 28feb84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-001
1767	as350b		N22-011: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-011	A22-011: RAAF d/d 18jul84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-011
1726	as350b		N22-013: RAN 860. d/d 30nov83. 723 Sqd. Served aboard HMAS Sydney 1990 Gulf War
1738	as350b		N22-014: RAN 861. 01mar84. 723 Sqd. Served aboard HMAS Darwin 1990 Gulf War
1739	as350b		N22-015: RAN 862. d/d 02mar84. 723 Sqd. Served aboard HMAS Adelaide 1990 Gulf War
1740	as350b		N22-016: RAN 863. d/d 09mar84. 723 Sqd
1755	as350b		N22-017: RAN 864. d/d 24mar84. 723 Sqd. Served aboard HMAS Success 1990 Gulf War
1758	as350b		N22-018: RAN 865. d/d 18jun84. 723 Sqd. Probably sold to French Govt ?
1768	as350b		N22-019: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-019	A22-019: RAAF d/d 2oct84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-019
1769	as350b		N22-020: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-020	A22-020: RAAF d/d 29sep84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-020
1770	as350b		N22-021: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-021. 723 sqd	A22-021: RAAF d/d 6nov84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-021
1771	as350b		N22-022: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-022. 723 sqd	A22-022: RAAF d/d 22nov84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-022
1772	as350b		N22-023: RAN d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-023. 723 sqd	A22-023: RAAF d/d 27nov84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-023
1773	as350b		N22-024: RAN 824 d/d oct00. ex RAAF A22-024. 723 sqd	A22-024: RAAF d/d 27nov84. xfer RAN oct00 as N22-024
wa200	wessex	1963	N7-200: Built at Yeovil, f/f 9 Aug 62, d/d RAN 4 Sep 62. Initially wore code 880,
13063	sycamore		XA219: Built as Sycamore HR.50
13064	sycamore		XA220: Built as Sycamore HR.50
13065	sycamore		XA221: Built as Sycamore HR.50
13071	sycamore	1953	XD653: Built as HR.51 Allocated G-AMWJ (not used). Delivered to RN March 1954. To
13146	sycamore	1953	XD654: Built as HR.51 at Filton. Delivered to RN 1954. To RAN October 1954. Ditch
13147	sycamore	1953	XD655: Built as HR.51 at Filton. Delivered to RN 1954. To RAN October 1954.
13148	sycamore	1954	XD656: Built as HR.51 at Filton. Delivered to RN 1954. To RAN October 1954. Ditch
13504	sycamore	1959	XN449: Built as Type 171 Mk4 Sycamore HR.51 at Weston-super-Mare. Del RAN Jun 195

23 C/N found in this Organisation.