860 sqn was formed in 1943 as a British Fleet Air Arm unit. After WW2 it was reformed as a Dutch Firefly squadron. After the Firefly, 860 was equipped with Sea Furies and Sea Hawks before becomming a helicopter squadron flying the Westland Wasp. This helicopter was replaced by the Westland Lynx in 1980. 
860 Squadron transformed as a helicopter unit on 4 Oct 1966, when it re-equipped with the AH-12A Wasp. It was the parent unit for deployments to the Van Speijk Class Frigates. During the latter half of 1974, there were a number of ships flight assignments to RNAS Portland. The Wasps were retired in Dec 1980, after the introduction of the first SH-14B Lynx during Oct 1978.
News about vsq 860 |
Dutch Trio First Time On Board
26-Nov-20 - Three Netherlands’s NH90 helicopters from 860 Squadron embarked simultaneously for the first time on board the amphibious transport HNLMS Johan de Witt. The event occurs for this year FOST training in the UK #FOST
Dutch NH90 Crashed in the Caribbean
20-Jul-20 - A Royal Netherlands Navy NH90 NFH helicopter attached to the Zr Ms Groningen (P843) patrol vessel in the Carribean crashed off the coast of Aruba killing 2 of the 4 onboard. It is the first accident of a Dutch NH90 which have 20 in service #accident
Models Ships |
| Dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-oct | 2020-apr-25 | Zr. Ms. Groningen (P843) | embarked NH90 N-325 for 6 month Caribbean deployment. Disembarked to de Kooy on 23 Apr 2020 and ship entered Den Helder on 25 Apr. |
vsq 860 Operations |
| Dates | Operation | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-oct-31 | Falcon Autumn 2022 | |
| 2022-feb-08 | 2022-feb-18 | Guardian Defender 22 |
| 2017-sep-09 | 2017-oct |  Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria Relief Operations |
| 2016-apr | 2016-apr |  Exercise Joint Warrior 16-1 |
| 2014-sep-22 | 2014-sep-25 | SAR meet 2014 |
| 2014-mar-24 | 2014-mar-25 | NSS 2014 |
| 2013-feb | 2013-may |  Combined Task Force 150 |
| 2012-jun-23 | 2012-jun-23 |  Fly out MFG-5 Kiel |
| 2011-jul-01 | 2011-jul-03 | naval days 2011 (marinedagen) |
| 2005-jun-20 | 2005-jun-25 | SAR meet 2005 |
| 1994-oct-04 | 1994-oct-06 | SAR meet 1994 |
| 1986-jun-21 | 1986-jun-22 | Fleet days 1986 |
