820 Naval Air Squadron

820 Naval Air Squadron
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Unit name	820 Naval Air Squadron
Dates	1933–present
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Role	Anti-submarine warfare Reconnaissance Strike
Command structure	Fleet Air Arm
Garrison	RNAS Culdrose
Equipment	Merlin HM2

820 Naval Air Squadron is a unit of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm with a history of carrier-based aviation operations, anti-submarine warfare, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions. Formed in 1933, the squadron has served in major operations including the Second World War, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and 21st-century Operation Telic deployments, flying a sequence of fixed-wing and rotary-wing types from carriers such as HMS Ark Royal and HMS Invincible. The squadron has been based at several Royal Naval Air Stations and now operates from RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

History

820 Naval Air Squadron was formed from elements of other Fleet Air Arm units and first equipped with Fairey III types in 1933 before re-equipping with Fairey Swordfish biplanes. During the Second World War the squadron served on board Ark Royal and other carriers, participating in actions against the German Kriegsmarine, Regia Marina, and in the Mediterranean Theatre alongside forces from RAF squadrons and the United States Navy. Postwar, the squadron converted to carrier-borne anti-submarine aircraft including the Fairey Gannet and later to rotary-wing types such as the Westland Wessex and Westland Sea King to counter threats posed by Soviet Kilo-class and Victor-class boats during the Cold War. In the 1980s, elements of the squadron deployed to the South Atlantic in the aftermath of the Falklands War and supported Operation Granby during the Gulf War alongside Royal Navy aircraft carriers and Royal Air Force units. In the 21st century, the squadron transitioned to the AgustaWestland Merlin platform, supporting NATO operations, Combined Task Force 150, and Operation Atalanta counter-piracy deployments from HMS Ocean and HMS Queen Elizabeth. The squadron's timeline intersects with institutions such as the Ministry of Defence and partnerships with industrial firms like Westland Helicopters and AgustaWestland.

Aircraft and Equipment

Over its history the unit operated a broad array of types: early biplanes like the Fairey III and Fairey Swordfish, torpedo bombers including the Avenger, anti-submarine types such as the Fairey Barracuda, Fairey Gannet AS4, and later helicopters including the Wessex, Sea King HAS6, and the modern Merlin HM2. The squadron employed sensors and weapons including the AN/APS-115 radar family, dipping sonar systems like the CANTASS and Mk 46 and Mk 11 Sea Skua anti-ship missiles. Maintenance and upgrades involved contractors including British Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, and Lockheed Martin, with avionics sourced from suppliers tied to programs such as NATO interoperability and Joint Strike Fighter logistics chains.

Notable Operations

The squadron took part in the Norwegian Campaign and early Mediterranean battles in the Second World War, flying from carriers engaged against Bismarck-related sorties and operations targeting Taranto-area shipping. In 1940–1945, 820's aircrews engaged Axis surface units, submarines including U-boats, and provided convoy protection for Arctic convoys to Murmansk. During the Falklands War and period after 1982 the squadron supported British forces and maritime surveillance around South Georgia. In Operation Desert Storm, the squadron's anti-submarine and ASuW capabilities operated alongside Royal Navy task groups and CENTCOM assets. In the 2000s & 2010s, deployments supporting Operation Atalanta and Operation Ocean Shield targeted Somali piracy and protected World Food Programme convoys, cooperating with navies from United States Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, German Navy, French Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy. The squadron has also contributed to humanitarian assistance following events like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and supported exercises with carriers and amphibious ships including HMS Illustrious, HMS Ark Royal (R07), and HMS Prince of Wales.

Organisation and Bases

Administratively part of the Fleet Air Arm and under commands such as the Flag Officer Naval Aviation, the squadron has been based at RNAS Yeovilton, RNAS Culdrose, and former stations like HMS Seahawk. Embarked deployments operated from aircraft carriers including Ark Royal, Eagle, Invincible, and the Queen Elizabeth-class ships. The squadron's structure comprises flight crews, maintenance elements, and airborne sensor operators trained at establishments including the Culdrose training units, No. 1 FTS, and collaborative training with Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm conversion units. Support and logistics have been coordinated with formations such as Commodore Amphibious Warfare and multinational task groups under NATO command.

Squadron Insignia and Traditions

The squadron badge and insignia reflect heraldic motifs common in Royal Navy aviation, incorporating symbols linked to maritime strike and anti-submarine roles. Traditions include commemorations of actions in the Second World War, Falklands War, and Gulf War, with affiliations to ships like Ark Royal and links to institutions such as the Fleet Air Arm Museum. Annual events, medals like the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Order awarded to aircrew, and memorials at sites including RNAS Yeovilton preserve the squadron's heritage. There are connections with aerospace industry partners and veterans' associations such as the Royal Naval Association.

Category:Fleet Air Arm squadrons Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom