706 Naval Air Squadron
| 706 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
A Westland Sea King HAS.2 of 706 NAS at RNAS Culdrose
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| Active | 1945–46 1953–54 1962–98 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm |
| Role | Fighter/torpedo-bomber and helicopter training squadron |
| Motto(s) | Montez |
| Aircraft flown | |
706 Naval Air Squadron (706 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Established as a fighter and torpedo-bomber training unit in Australia at the end of World War Two, it was briefly reformed as a helicopter squadron in the early 1950s, before becoming a helicopter training unit in 1962, and operating until 1998.
The squadron was formed in the UK in January 1945 and sailed for Australia where it was officially commissioned on 10 April 1945 at RNAS Schofields (HMS Nabthorpe) near Schofields, New South Wales. It operated as a refresher training and conversion unit for the British Pacific Fleet, flying the Grumman Avenger, Fairey Barracuda, Vought Corsair, Fairey Firefly, Grumman Hellcat and Supermarine Seafire. In late August, following the surrender of Japan, the unit was transferred to a base at Maryborough, Queensland, and in October moved again to HMS Nabbington at Nowra, New South Wales. In January 1946 the unit returned to Schofields, and was disbanded on 31 May 1946.
The squadron was reformed at RNAS Gosport on 7 September 1953 flying the Westland Whirlwind HAS.22 ASW helicopter and the Hiller HT.1. In October 1953 it moved to Northern Ireland, firstly to RNAS Sydenham near Belfast, then in February 1954 to RNAS Eglinton, being occasionally based aboard HMS Perseus (R51). The squadron was disbanded on 1 March 1954, and its aircraft were transferred to 845 Naval Air Squadron.
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