Formed at Old Sarum on 1 May 1942 as an Air Observation Post (AOP) unit and joined army units for the D-Day landings, spotting for artillery, until the end of World War II. It served 1 (British) Corps in Germany after the war and by Apr 1949 was stationed at the ex-Luftwaffe base at Detmold (ETUD). By Apr 1951, still at Detmold, it oversaw the Austers of 1904, 1905 and 1909 Flights and by 1953, also included 1901 Flight at Detmold (transferring in from 657 Sq in 1952) and 1912 Flight at Buckeburg.
In Dec 1969 it reformed from 27 Flight and the Air Troops of 27 (Medium) Regt, Royal Artillery and 2 Division Engineers. Between Aug and Dec 1977, the unit contributed 3 of its airframes for what turned out to be the last Sioux AH.1 detachment to Northern Ireland. By 1979, it was based at Bünde as part of 2 Regiment, flying the Lynx and the Scout. By 1986 it was flying Lynx and Gazelle from Hildesheim for 1 Regiment. By Mar 2006, it was stationed at Princess Barracks with the Lynx AH.7, still with 1 Regiment.
In Dec 1969 it reformed from 27 Flight and the Air Troops of 27 (Medium) Regt, Royal Artillery and 2 Division Engineers. Between Aug and Dec 1977, the unit contributed 3 of its airframes for what turned out to be the last Sioux AH.1 detachment to Northern Ireland. By 1979, it was based at Bünde as part of 2 Regiment, flying the Lynx and the Scout. By 1986 it was flying Lynx and Gazelle from Hildesheim for 1 Regiment. By Mar 2006, it was stationed at Princess Barracks with the Lynx AH.7, still with 1 Regiment.
In December 69 it comprised a flt of Sioux and a flight of Scout in support of 2 Division. Based in Birdwood Barracks Bunde
In the winter of 1974 half of the Sqn were deployed to Long Kesh in Northern Ireland for a 4 month tour, together with 659 Sqn, who operated Sioux. During this time the O. C., Major Gill, was killed whilst flying a Sioux on a mission, caused by hitting wires when flying low level. The Sqn again deployed to Long Kesh in December 1975 for a further 4 month tour, once again taking 6 Scouts. I believe we were with 662 Sqn, with their Sioux. During this tour S.SGT Brian Jackson and Air Gunner Kevin Ford were both killed when their Scout crashed in the Mourn Mountains while using Night Sun on a support mission. I was part of both tours with 652 as an Aircraft Technician.
1974-1977, When 652 were in Bunde they were actually operating Scout and Sioux Helicopters then the Sioux was replaced by the Gazelle,I was stationed at Birdwood Barracks with 652 from 1974 to 1977 then transferred to the REME
October 2013, 652 Sqn AAC became 652 (Wildcat Fielding) Sqn AAC. Now based at RNAS Yeovilton, 652(WF) Sqn AAC has the responsibility to Field, Evaluate and develop the AW159 Wildcat AH Mk 1 (BRH - Battlefield Recce Helicopter). Once Fielding and Evaluation is complete (mid to end of 2014), 652 Sqn will become 652 (Operational Conversion) Sqn AAC responsible for training all AAC and Royal Marine Wildcat aircrew and groundcrew.
Hi There Not sure who wrote the following piece. S.SGT Brian Jackson was my father. Loved living in Bunde back then, living in the Blocks of flats about a mile from the barracks. I was just 13 when he died. It's the first time I have seen an article which mentions my father and the location where it happen. mother was always a bit cagey when it came to the facts.
Locations
| 1969-1983 |  Birdwood Barracks, Bunde |
|
| 1974-1975 | Long Kesh | |
| 1975-1976 | Long Kesh | |
| 1977 | EGAA BFS | Belfast International Airport |
| 1983-1993 | EDVM ZNO | Hildesheim |
| 1993-2013 | ETUO GUT | Princess Royal Barracks / RAF Gutersloh |
| 2013- | EGDY YEO | RNAS Yeovilton |
Models
| 1969-1981 | Scout AH.1 |
| 2013- | AW159 Wildcat AH1 |
Operations
| Sep 20042004 | Mar 20052005 |  Operation Telic |
| May 20072007 | Oct 20072007 | Operation Telic |
| Oct 20092009 | Jan 20102010 |  Operation Herrick |
Airframes (34)
| Reg | Model | C/N | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XL762 | skeeter 7 | S2/5074 | 1958 | |
| XL770 | skeeter 7 | S2/5086 | 1958 | |
| XL809 | skeeter 7 | S2/5094 | 1959 | |
| XL811 | skeeter 7 | S2/5096 | 1959 | |
| XM555 | skeeter 7 | S2/5109 | 1959 | |
| XM557 | skeeter 7 | S2/5112 | 1959 | |
| XM564 | skeeter 7 | S2/5119 | 1959 | |
| XN344 | skeeter 7 | S2/7150 | 1960 | |
| XN345 | skeeter 7 | S2/7151 | 1960 | |
| XN347 | skeeter 7 | S2/7153 | 1960 | |
| XN351 | skeeter 7 | S2/7157 | 1960 | |
| XN352 | skeeter 7 | S2/7158 | 1960 | |
| XP886 | ah.1 | f.9487 | 1963 | |
| XT102 | ab47g-3b | 1564 | 1964 | |
| XT550 | sioux | wa439 | 1967 | D |
| XT558 | sioux | wa447 | 1967 | |
| XT815 | sioux | wa522 | 1966 | |
| XV122 | ah.1 | f.9697 | 50K | |
| XW195 | sioux | wa715 | 1969 | |
| XX453 | ah.1 | 1454 | 1976 | |
| XX455 | ah.1 | 1464 | 1976 | |
| XZ177 | ah1 | 038 | 1977 | |
| XZ179 | ah1 | 047 | 1978 | |
| XZ207 | ah1 | 115 | 1979 | |
| XZ208 | ah1 | 116 | 1979 | |
| XZ338 | ah.1 | 1682 | 1977 | |
| XZ342 | ah.1 | 1697 | 1977 | |
| XZ608 | ah1 | 152 | 1979 | |
| XZ609 | ah1 | 154 | 1979 | |
| XZ662 | ah1 | 214 | 1981 |