"Strike Deep"
Overview
815 NAS is based at RNAS Yeovilton and runs the frontline ships' flights for Type 45 destroyers and Type 23 frigates. It has been through a number of incarnations and especially was disbanded between 1966 and 1981. However since merging with 829 NAS in 1993 and with a complement of 26 Lynx HMA.8 is the largest helicopter squadron in the world.
History
815 NAS was formed in 1939 with the outbreak of WW2 and based out of RNAS Worthy Down flying obsolescent Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers, notably from HMS Illustrious at the battle of Taranto in 1940, destroying or crippling half the Italian fleet with only one aircraft lost. After disbanding after the war, the squadron was reformed as a helicopter squadron in the 60s with Wessex HAS.1 and participated in the Aden Emergency operating from HMS Ark Royal and HMS Centaur, then was disbanded again. It was resuscitated in 1981 in its current form as HQ for embarked ships' flights with Lynx HAS.2 and was involved in the Falklands campaign, relief operations in the Middle East, and the Armilla patrol in the Persian Gulf. The current primary operation of 815 NAS is Operation Kipion including targeted operations against Somali littoral piracy.
Lynx Wildcat
The Lynx Mark 8 is due to be withdrawn from service in 2017 and the squadron will probably be disbanded again at that time, with most personnel having been moved over to Wildcat HMA.2 under the command of 825 NAS which is being formed from 702 NAS and 700W NAS (training and trials squadrons).
