705 Naval Air Squadron
| 705 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
Latin for 'We teach the art') | |
| Aircraft | Airbus H135 Juno HT1 |
| Decorations | Boyd Trophy 1983 |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant Commander Phil Crompton |
705 Naval Air Squadron was first formed as a flight in 1936 from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force and operated Swordfish torpedo bombers from battlecruisers. It achieved squadron status in 1939 before being disbanded in 1940. The squadron was re-formed briefly in 1945 and then again in 1947 as a fleet requirements unit to evaluate naval use of helicopters. Since the 1950s the squadron has been involved in the basic training of helicopter aircrew, and currently forms part of No. 1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury.
History
Pre-war and World War II (1936–1945)
705 Squadron was formed from No 447 Flight
Fleet Requirements Unit (1947–1950)
In May 1947,[2] 705 Squadron was re-commissioned at RNAS Gosport with the Sikorsky Hoverfly element from 771 NAS. At first the squadron operated as a fleet requirements unit, and was responsible for the evaluation of the helicopter for use at sea. On 1 February 1947 Lieutenant K Reed carried out the first helicopter deck landing on a Royal Navy ship when he landed on HMS Vanguard off Portland.[1]
Helicopter flying training (1950–1997)
Tri-service basic flying training (1997–2018)
In April 1997 705 NAS disbanded and reformed at
]UKMFTS (2018 – present)
Remaining as part of DHFS but now forming one of the elements of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS), the Squadron began flying the H135 Juno HT Mk1 in April 2018.
Current role
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Within No. 1 Flying Training School[4] (1 FTS) and under 2 Maritime Air Wing (2 MAW), 705 Squadron provides basic and advanced rotary wing flying training for all three services pilots and rear crew. As the busiest Squadron within 1 FTS, 705 Squadron teaches both pilots and crewman a vast number of different disciplines including advanced handling, instrument flying, medium and low level navigation, mountain flying and night flying including low level navigation with NVD.[5]
In addition to pure flying training, 705 Squadron also provides a naval focus for naval aircrew operating within an otherwise joint service and largely civilian-run organisation. The Squadron is commanded by a Royal Navy
Aircraft flown
The squadron has flown a number of aircraft types since its formation, including:[6]
- Blackburn Shark II/SP
- Fairey Swordfish I/SP & III
- Sikorsky Hoverfly I & II
- Saunders-Roe Skeeter
- Westland Dragonfly HR.1, HR.3 & HR.5
- Hiller HT.1 & HT.2
- Sikorsky S55
- Westland Whirlwind HAS.22, HAR.1, HAR.3 & HAS.7
- Westland Wasp HAS.1
- Westland Gazelle HT.2
- Eurocopter Squirrel
- Airbus H-135 Juno HT.1
Commanders
- Lt Cdr Becky Frater (2013 – July 2015)
- Lt Cdr Scott Hughes (July 2015 – July 2017)
- Lt Cdr Matt Robinson (July 2017 – October 2017)
- Lt Cdr Paul Ryan (April 2018 – December 2019)
- Lt Cdr Phil Crompton (January 2020 - Present)
References
- ^ a b c d "History of 705 NAS at the Royal Navy website". Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ "705 squadron at the Helicopter History website". Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ "Aerobatic Display Teams – 705 Squadron: The Sharks". Royal Navy Museum. Archived from the original on 9 December 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ Smith, Rory (29 February 2020). "RAF chief opens state-of-the-art helicopter training facilities in Shawbury". Shropshire Star.
- ^ a b "705 NAS at the Royal Navy website". Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ "Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm 2009". Fleet Air Arm Officers' Association. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
External links