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{{Short description|Flying squadron of the Royal Navy's and Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm}}
[[Image:816sqn crest.png|thumb|816 Squadron's crest]]
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{{More footnotes|date=April 2009}}
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'''816 Squadron''' is a [[Fleet Air Arm (RAN)|Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm]] squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit [[816 Naval Air Squadron]].
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=816 Squadron
| image=816sqn crest.png
| image_size = 150
|caption=Unit badge for 816 Squadron
|dates=1948–1987<br />1992–Current
|country={{flag|Australia}}
|allegiance=
|branch={{navy|Australia|1913}} (1948–1967)<br/>{{navy|Australia}} (1967–Present)
|type=Ship-based helicopter squadron
|role=Small ship flights
|equipment=[[SH-60 Sea hawk|MH-60R Romeo]]
|command_structure=[[Fleet Air Arm (RAN)|Fleet Air Arm]]
|current_commander=Commander T. Glynn
|garrison=[[HMAS Albatross (air station)|HMAS ''Albatross'']]
|garrison_label=Airbase
|ceremonial_chief=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=Imitate the action of the tiger
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battle_honours=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
}}
⚫
'''816 Squadron''' is a [[Fleet Air Arm (RAN)|Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm]] squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit, [[816 Naval Air Squadron]].


==Current roles==
==Current roles==
816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with [[Sikorsky S-70|S-70B-2 Seahawk]] helicopters. The Squadron is based at [[HMAS Albatross (air station)|HMAS ''Albatross'']] (NAS Nowra) and primarily operates from the Navy's [[Adelaide class frigate|''Adelaide'' class frigates]].
816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with [[Sikorsky S-70|MH-60R]] helicopters. The squadron is based at [[HMAS Albatross (air station)|HMAS ''Albatross'']] in [[Nowra]] and primarily operates from the Navy's [[Adelaide class frigate|''Adelaide'']] and [[Anzac class frigate|''Anzac'']] class frigates. 816 Squadron provides the fleet with anti-submarine and anti-surface surveillance capabilities.

816 Squadron provide the fleet with potent anti-submarine and anti-surface surveillance capabilities.


==History==
==History==
[[File:S2G-lands-on-melbourne.jpg|thumb|An S-2G Tracker of 816 Squadron lands on {{HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6}}]]
[[File:Royal Australian Navy 816 Squadron S-70B-2 Seahawk.jpg|thumb|upright|A 816 Squadron S-70B-2 Seahawk during an exercise in 2004]]
[[File:RAN S-70B-2 Seahawk Avalon 2011.jpg|thumb|An 816 Squadron S-70B-2 Seahawk in 2011]]
816 Squadron was first formed as a [[Royal Navy]] [[Fleet Air Arm]] carrier based squadron in 1939 embarked in [[HMS Furious (47)|HMS ''Furious'']]
816 Squadron was first formed as a [[Royal Navy]] [[Fleet Air Arm]] carrier based squadron in 1939 embarked in {{HMS|Furious|47|6}}.


In 1948 816 Squadron was re-formed as a Royal Australian Navy FAA squadron operating [[Fairey Firefly]] aircraft. The Squadron formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on [[HMAS Sydney (R17)|HMAS ''Sydney'']]. In 1952, 816 Squadron participated in the [[Montebello Islands]] atomic weapons tests and in 1953 saw service in the [[Korean War]].
In 1948 816 Squadron was re-formed as a [[Royal Australian Navy]] FAA squadron operating [[Fairey Firefly]] aircraft. The squadron formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on [[HMAS Sydney (R17)|HMAS ''Sydney'']]. In 1952, 816 Squadron participated in the [[Montebello Islands]] atomic weapons tests and in 1953 saw service in the [[Korean War]].


Over the following 40 years, 816 squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times as newer aircraft were introduced.
Over the following 40 years, 816 squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times as newer aircraft were introduced.
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In 1956 with the arrival of [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']], 816 Squadron embarked as part of the 21st Carrier Air Group equipped with Gannet and Sea Venom aircraft. In 1967 the RAN acquired newer aircraft and ''Melbourne'' was extensively upgraded to handle the faster and heavier aircraft. 816 Squadron was re-equipped with Grumman S-2E Trackers.
In 1956 with the arrival of [[HMAS Melbourne (R21)|HMAS ''Melbourne'']], 816 Squadron embarked as part of the 21st Carrier Air Group equipped with Gannet and Sea Venom aircraft. In 1967 the RAN acquired newer aircraft and ''Melbourne'' was extensively upgraded to handle the faster and heavier aircraft. 816 Squadron was re-equipped with Grumman S-2E Trackers.


On 5 December 1976, a fire was deliberately lit by a Fleet Air Arm member near the aircraft hangars at HMAS ''Albatross''. The fire destroyed or seriously damaged twelve of the thirteen S-2 Trackers in the RAN's possession.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lind |first=Lew |title=The Royal Australian Navy - Historic Naval Events Year by Year |origyear=1982 |edition=2nd ed. |year=1986 |publisher=Reed Books |location=Frenchs Forest, NSW |isbn=0-7301-0071-5 |oclc=16922225 |page=291}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hall |first=Timothy |title=HMAS Melbourne |year=1982 |publisher=George Allen & Unwin |location=North Sydney, NSW |isbn=0-86861-284-7 |oclc=9753221 |page=19}}</ref> Subsequently, 15 second-hand S2-G Trackers were purchased from the US Government and all remaining serviceable or repairable S2-E Trackers were upgraded to the S-2G standard. 816 Squadron continued to operate S-2Gs until the decommissioning of HMAS ''Melbourne'' in 1982, when the Squadron was again disbanded.
On 5 December 1976, a fire was deliberately lit by a Fleet Air Arm member near the aircraft hangars at HMAS ''Albatross''. The fire destroyed or seriously damaged twelve of the thirteen S-2 Trackers in the RAN's possession.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lind |first=Lew |title=The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year |orig-year=1982 |edition=2nd |year=1986 |publisher=Reed Books |location=Frenchs Forest, NSW |isbn=0-7301-0071-5 |oclc=16922225 |page=291}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hall |first=Timothy |title=HMAS Melbourne |year=1982 |publisher=[[Allen & Unwin]]|location=North Sydney, NSW |isbn=0-86861-284-7 |oclc=9753221 |page=19}}</ref> Subsequently, 15 second-hand S2-G Trackers were purchased from the [[United States Government]] and all remaining serviceable or repairable S2-E Trackers were upgraded to the S-2G standard. 816 Squadron continued to operate S-2Gs until the decommissioning of HMAS ''Melbourne'' in 1982, when the squadron was again disbanded.<ref>Two navy squardons to be disbanded ''[[Australian Aviation]]'' issue 16 September 1982 page 46</ref>


From 1984 until 1987, 816 Squadron operated modified Westland Wessex 31B helicopters to secretly continue the Anti Terrorist Role supporting the SAS. This task was formerly carried out by the same type as part of 723Sqdn from 1980. A task the RAAF were unable or un-willing to perform with their UH1H helicopters.
From 1984 until 1987, 816 Squadron operated Westland Wessex helicopters in the Army support role.


816 Squadron was re-formed in 1992 to operate Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters. The squadron has embarked helicopters on RAN [[Adelaide class frigate|''Adelaide'' class]] and [[Anzac class frigate|''Anzac'' class]] frigates and has participated in operations including [[List of recent Australian warship deployments to the Middle East|in the Persian Gulf]].
816 Squadron was re-formed in 1992 to operate Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters. The squadron has embarked helicopters on RAN [[Adelaide class frigate|''Adelaide'' class]] and [[Anzac class frigate|''Anzac'' class]] frigates and has participated in operations including [[List of recent Australian warship deployments to the Middle East|in the Persian Gulf]].

The squadron will continue to operate the Seahawk after the retirement of the S-70B-2 model. On 13 December 2012 it was announced that 816 Squadron will transition to the new [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk#MH-60R|MH-60R Seahawk]], with [[725 Squadron RAN|725 Squadron]] being reformed to be the training squadron.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clare |first=Jason |title=Joint Media Release – Capability Update – Air Projects |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/12/13/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-joint-media-release-capability-update-%E2%80%93-air-projects/ |work=Minister of Defence Material |publisher=[[Department of Defence (Australia)|Department of Defence]]|access-date=13 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308051648/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/12/13/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-joint-media-release-capability-update-%E2%80%93-air-projects/ |archive-date=8 March 2013 }}</ref>


==Aircraft==
==Aircraft==
===Current RAN Service===
===Current RAN service===
*[[Sikorsky S-70|Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk]] (Anti Submarine Warfare, Anti Shipping, Surveillance & Targeting)
*[[Sikorsky S-70|Sikorsky MH-60R Romeo]] (Anti Submarine Warfare, Anti Shipping, Surveillance & Targeting)

⚫
===Previous RAN service===
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*Fairey Firefly FR.4, FR.5 & FR.6 (Attack Reconnaissance)
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*[[Fairey Gannet|Fairey Gannet AS.1 & T.2]] (Anti Submarine Warfare)
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*[[de Havilland Sea Venom|de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53]]
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*[[S-2 Tracker|Grumman S-2E & S2-G Tracker]] (Anti Submarine Warfare)
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*[[Westland Wessex|Westland Wessex HAS 31B]] (Army Support)
*[[Sikorsky S-70|Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk]] (Anti Submarine Warfare, Anti Shipping, Surveillance & Targeting)


===RN Service===
===RN service===
*[[Fairey Swordfish|Fairey Swordfish I]] (Anti submarine Warfare, Search)
*[[Fairey Swordfish|Fairey Swordfish I]] (Anti submarine Warfare, Search)
*Fairey Swordfish II (Strike)
*Fairey Swordfish II (Strike)
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*[[Fairey Firefly|Fairey Firefly FR.I]] (Fighter Reconnaissance)
*[[Fairey Firefly|Fairey Firefly FR.I]] (Fighter Reconnaissance)
*Fairey Firefly NF.I (Night Fighter)
*Fairey Firefly NF.I (Night Fighter)

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===Previous RAN Service===
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*Fairey Firefly FR.4, FR.5 & FR.6 (Attack Reconnaissance)
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*[[Fairey Gannet|Fairey Gannet AS.1 & T.2]](Anti Submarine Warfare)
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*[[Sea Venom|de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53]]
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*[[S-2 Tracker|Grumman S-2E & S2-G Tracker]] (Anti Submarine Warfare)
⚫
*[[Westland Wessex|Westland Wessex HAS 31B (modified)]] (SAS Anit Terrorist Support)


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
⚫
{{No footnotes|date=April 2009}}
{{Reflist}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->


==Sources==
==Sources==
*[http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/816_Squadron 816 Squadron Official Website]
*[http://www.navy.gov.au/about/organisation/fleet-air-arm/816-squadron 816 Squadron Official Website]
**[http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/816_Squadron_History 816 Squadron History]
**[http://www.navy.gov.au/history/squadron-histories/816-squadron-history 816 Squadron History]


{{Portal bar|Australia|Royal Australian Navy}}
{{Royal Australian Navy}}
{{RAN FAA squadrons}}
{{RAN FAA squadrons}}
{{Royal Naval Air Squadrons}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:816 Squadron Ran}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:816 Squadron Ran}}
[[Category:Australian naval aviation]]
[[Category:Flying squadrons of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1948]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 06:59, 17 November 2024

816 Squadron
Unit badge for 816 Squadron
Active1948–1987
1992–Current
Country Australia
Branch Royal Australian Navy (1948–1967)
 Royal Australian Navy (1967–Present)
TypeShip-based helicopter squadron
RoleSmall ship flights
Part ofFleet Air Arm
AirbaseHMAS Albatross
Motto(s)Imitate the action of the tiger
EquipmentMH-60R Romeo
Commanders
Current
commander		Commander T. Glynn

816 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit, 816 Naval Air Squadron.

Current roles

[edit]

816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with MH-60R helicopters. The squadron is based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra and primarily operates from the Navy's Adelaide and Anzac class frigates. 816 Squadron provides the fleet with anti-submarine and anti-surface surveillance capabilities.

History

[edit]
An S-2G Tracker of 816 Squadron lands on HMAS Melbourne
An 816 Squadron S-70B-2 Seahawk in 2011

816 Squadron was first formed as a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm carrier based squadron in 1939 embarked in HMS Furious.

In 1948 816 Squadron was re-formed as a Royal Australian Navy FAA squadron operating Fairey Firefly aircraft. The squadron formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on HMAS Sydney. In 1952, 816 Squadron participated in the Montebello Islands atomic weapons tests and in 1953 saw service in the Korean War.

Over the following 40 years, 816 squadron was disbanded and re-formed several times as newer aircraft were introduced.

In 1956 with the arrival of HMAS Melbourne, 816 Squadron embarked as part of the 21st Carrier Air Group equipped with Gannet and Sea Venom aircraft. In 1967 the RAN acquired newer aircraft and Melbourne was extensively upgraded to handle the faster and heavier aircraft. 816 Squadron was re-equipped with Grumman S-2E Trackers.

On 5 December 1976, a fire was deliberately lit by a Fleet Air Arm member near the aircraft hangars at HMAS Albatross. The fire destroyed or seriously damaged twelve of the thirteen S-2 Trackers in the RAN's possession.[1][2] Subsequently, 15 second-hand S2-G Trackers were purchased from the United States Government and all remaining serviceable or repairable S2-E Trackers were upgraded to the S-2G standard. 816 Squadron continued to operate S-2Gs until the decommissioning of HMAS Melbourne in 1982, when the squadron was again disbanded.[3]

From 1984 until 1987, 816 Squadron operated Westland Wessex helicopters in the Army support role.

816 Squadron was re-formed in 1992 to operate Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters. The squadron has embarked helicopters on RAN Adelaide class and Anzac class frigates and has participated in operations including in the Persian Gulf.

The squadron will continue to operate the Seahawk after the retirement of the S-70B-2 model. On 13 December 2012 it was announced that 816 Squadron will transition to the new MH-60R Seahawk, with 725 Squadron being reformed to be the training squadron.[4]

Aircraft

[edit]

Current RAN service

[edit]

Previous RAN service

[edit]

RN service

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lind, Lew (1986) [1982]. The Royal Australian Navy – Historic Naval Events Year by Year (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Reed Books. p. 291. ISBN 0-7301-0071-5. OCLC 16922225.
  2. ^ Hall, Timothy (1982). HMAS Melbourne. North Sydney, NSW: Allen & Unwin. p. 19. ISBN 0-86861-284-7. OCLC 9753221.
  3. ^ Two navy squardons to be disbanded Australian Aviation issue 16 September 1982 page 46
  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.

Sources

[edit]


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