848 Squadron

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 ten Whirlwind HAR.21s on 29 Oct 1952, where they worked up before a period of Far East service, delivered via HMS Perseus. On 8 Jan 1953, the squadron performed the first carrier based disembarkation when if flew off near Changi Point to RNAS Sembawang. 5 Whirlwind HAR.1 were added to the strength in Oct 1954 and the unit continued to serve until disbanded 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 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. Still on HMS Bulwark, it operated around Kuwait in Jul 1961.

It re-equipped with 18 Wessex HU.5 during May 1964 and relieved 845 Squadron at The Gaat with this more powerful version in Jun 1965. By Aug 1967 one of a very few Wasp HAS.1s joined the strength for liaison duties until Jul 1973. While sailing for the Far East embarked on HMS Albion, it took part in Operation Magister until 29 Nov 1967 off Aden. During Mar 1969 while at Sembawang, the squadron passed 8 of its Wessex to the reformed 847 NAS. Embarked 12 of its Wessex on HMS Albion in Mar 1971. In May 1971 it arrived in the Far East again (having disembarked from HMS Albion on 22 May for HMS Simbang), it re-absorbed 5 Wessex HU.5 from 847 NAS on its disbandment. While still embarked on HMS Albion, the unit was part of the contingency arrangements during the late 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, disembarking for Culdrose on its return on 20 Jan 1972. It moved its UK base from Culdrose to Yeovilton during Dec 1972. 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 detachments; A Flight on RFA Regent, RFA Olna shipped B Flight, C Flight was on RFA Olwen 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 units 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 six 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 aboard RFA Argus on 17 Mar with 846 NAS, disembarked to RNAS Yeovilton on 3 Apr and disbanded again on 19 Apr 1991.

The unit was reformed in Mar 1995 by renumbering 707 NAS and taking on the Maritime Counter Terrorist role.

Decommissioned on 19 Dec 2013 following training of final Junglie crews. Reformed in May 2015 at RNAS Yeovilton with Sea King HC.4 from 845 NAS, before introduction of Merlin HC.4 into Commando Helicopter Force. Flew a Farewell to the Junglie Sea King on 21 Mar around the south west of England and decommisssioned on 23 Mar 2016 in a ceremony at RNAS Yeovilton.