725 Squadron RAN

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

725 Squadron
725 Squadron badge
Active1943–1945
1958–1961
1962–1975
2015–present
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom Australia Australia
BranchRoyal Navy (1943–1945)
Royal Australian Navy (1958–present)
Part ofFleet Air Arm
Garrison/HQHMAS Albatross
Battle honoursVietnam 1967
Aircraft flown
HelicopterMH-60R Seahawk Romeo

725 Squadron is a

Melbourne-Voyager collision, and the Operation Navy Help Darwin relief effort post-Cyclone Tracy. The squadron was decommissioned in December 1975. 725 Squadron was commissioned for the fourth time in June 2015, this time as a training unit for MH-60R Seahawk Romeo
helicopters: the squadron had been reactivated two years prior as a non-commissioned unit train on and accept into service the Romeos.

History

725 Squadron was formed on 27 August 1943 as a fleet requirements unit of the Royal Navy. It became an air target towing squadron in August 1945 and was disbanded in December of that year.[1]

725 Squadron was re-formed as a

C47 Dakota, Auster Autocar, Hawker Sea Fury, Fairey Firefly and Fairey Gannet aircraft and added De Havilland Sea Venoms shortly afterwards.[1] The squadron was redesignated an anti-submarine training squadron in May 1959,[2] and suffered its only fatality in December of that year when a Gannet crashed while landing at HMAS Albatross.[1] The squadron's duties during this period included providing aircraft for air direction officer training, radar calibration and target towing as well as conducting simulated attacks on RAN warships during exercises.[1] These duties continued until 31 May 1961 when 725 Squadron was disbanded and absorbed into 724 Squadron.[1]

The RAN's first two MH-60Rs at NAS Jacksonville shortly before being formally delivered in December 2013

725 Squadron was reformed as an operational anti-submarine squadron equipped with

collision between HMA Ships Melbourne and Voyager in February 1964.[1] Helicopters from the squadron also took part in Operation Navy Help Darwin, the relief effort after Cyclone Tracy destroyed much of Darwin in December 1974.[3] 725 Squadron was disbanded at HMAS Albatross on 27 December 1975.[2]

On 13 December 2012 the Australian Government announced that 725 Squadron will be re-raised as a training unit operating MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopters. In this role it will train aircrew for subsequent service with 816 Squadron.[4] The squadron was reformed on 11 February 2013 in a non-commissioned capability, and spent the next two years based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida, while personnel were trained on the new helicopters.[5][6] The first two Romeos were delivered to the squadron on 12 December 2013.[6] In December 2014,[needs update] the squadron was relocated to naval air station HMAS Albatross.[5][6] 725 Squadron was recommissioned into the RAN at Albatross on 11 June 2015.[6][7]

Battle honours

725 Squadron was awarded the battle honour "Vietnam 1967" for its service during the Vietnam War.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "725 Squadron". Royal Australian Navy. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  2. ^
    ISBN 1-875671-15-3
    .
  3. ^ "Disaster Relief – Cyclone Tracy and Tasman Bridge". Semaaphore, Issue 14. Sea Power Centre Australia. 2004. Archived from the original on 13 February 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  4. ^ Clare, Jason. "Joint Media Release – Capability Update – Air Projects". Minister of Defence Material. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 8 March 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  5. ^ a b "Milestone moments in MH60R training". Navy News. 15 August 2013. p. 10.
  6. ^ a b c d Tufrey, Jayson (18 June 2015). "Fleet welcomes squadron". Navy News. Royal Australian Navy. p. 3. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  7. ^ Rahmat, Ridzwan. "RAN commissions training squadron for MH-60R helicopters". IHS Jane's 360. IHS Jane's Navy International. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=725_Squadron_RAN&oldid=1161953646"