737 Squadron

Formed on 22 Feb 1943 at Dunino as an amphibious Bomber Reconnaissance Training Squadron. It disbanded in Nov 1957. Reformed 28 Aug 1959 as the RN Air Anti-Submarine School at RNAS Portland, from the remains of 815 Squadron with Whirlwind HAR.3s, with HAS.7s arriving a month later. First Wessex HAS.1 delivered 4 Jul 1962 and the Wessex HAS.3 started to arrive in Oct 1967. In Jun 1970, the Squadron became the parent for the Wessex Flights aboard the remaining County Class Destroyers (a role it took over from 829 Squadron), in preparation for 737s Sea King HAS.1s which appeared at the end of Jul 1970. In May 1972 the Squadron also took on responsibility for ASW Operational and Advanced Flying Training and increased its seaborne training work with RFA Engadine. In June 1975, the Sea Kings were handed on to 826 Squadron, at RNAS Culdrose, to allow 737 to focus purely on Wessex HAS.3 training duties. RNAS Portlands longest serving Squadron disbanded on 7 Feb 1983, handing its Wessex HAS.3 on to 772 Squadron.