Rare insight into the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force

The reign of the scarred Sea King HC4s will end on Mar. 31

The Sea King was the back bone of many Naval Air Arms and Air Forces vertical capability for years. 

It was a tough machine. I was aboard Independence in 74 when one of HS-5's Sea Kings had to do a water landing after a transmission chip light. It was back in the air in less than a week, if memory serves me right.


After the passing of 848 NAS and its Sea King HC4s, the CHF will have three squadrons, all based at RNAS Yeovilton; 845 NAS, which is currently standing up on the Merlin; 846 NAS, which is operational on the Merlin Mk3i, having transitioned from the Sea King in 2014 (and taking on the Merlin training role); whilst 847 NAS operates the Wildcat AH1 (moving from the Lynx Mk9A) in the recce, ISTAR, fire control, FAC and light transport roles. 848 NAS was actually disbanded in 2013 as the Sea King HC4 training squadron before being reformed in May 2015 to provide Sea King ops whilst 845 NAS transitioned to the Merlin.

Pictures and the rest of the story at the link below...........................

Rare insight into the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force: The reign of the RN Sea King HC4 comes to an end They say that legends aren’t born, but made.The reputation of the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea King HC4 fleet has been forged in…