ENDEX

The final element of our #SteadfastDefender24 detachment disembarked yesterday from HMS Prince of Wales.

Home for Easter. Ready for next time.

#FLYNAVY

M3M

Having a .50 cal HMG makes the Merlin that extra bit more versatile. For example we can:
Deliver warning shots.
Act as overwatch for boarding parties.
Destroy small craft threatening the TG.

Whatever the job, it's not very pleasant to be on the receiving end.

#FLYNAVY

ACTION MERLIN, ACTION MERLIN

The squadron have spent this week at Alert. Crews readied in all respects to fly and then waited for the pipe from the Ops Room to launch.

Busy week.

#FLYNAVY

We were honoured to recently meet the family of Leading Aircrewman Ian Marchment (pictured) who lost his life #OnThisDay March 6, 1981, with four other 820 Naval Air Squadron aircrew in a mid-air collision. His son presented a trophy in his memory. Full story here falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/24158019.…

DEFENSIVE AID SUITE

Merlin has multiple systems to protect us from anti-air missiles, including IR Flares. They seduce the seeker head away from the helicopter and disguise our signature.

Keeps us safe and looks rather nice too.

#FLYNAVY

#SteadfastDefender24

Staggered flying. Round the clock. #SteadfastDefender24

#FLYNAVY

Commander Snel and the team that's currently providing Submarine and Air defence to the #SteadfastDefender24 NATO taskgroup.

#FLYNAVY

Back on board HMS Prince of Wales for #SteadfastDefender24 .

Straight into Air Defence. Straight into Anti-Submarine Exercises. It's going to be a busy one.

We'll keep you as up to date as we can.

Wait. Out.

#FLYNAVY

UK Carrier Strike Group RNAS Culdrose Royal Navy

42 years on, I remember the 16 souls lost on this day during the Penlee Life Boat disaster off the coast of Cornwall including the 8 on board the Union Star as it got into difficulty and the 8 hugely courageous RNLI crew on board the Solomon Browne life boat. RIP to you all ❤️

Father Christmas paid a flying visit to cheer poorly children at Royal Cornwall Hospital #Truro with help from the Royal Navy. He was helped by sailors from 820 Naval Air Squadron. Thanks to all at Culdrose who donated presents 820 Naval Air Squadron #820NAS Pictures RCHT

'Tis the season...

Father Christmas took to the skies of #Cornwall to tactically assess the naughty/nice situation in preparation for #Christmas .

School children across the county turned out and impressively redefined 'Enthusiastic Waving'.

#FLYNAVY

WESTLANT 23 - last day at sea!!

Brought to you by us...

What an amazing team!!!! - see you tomorrow!!!!!

An award for excellence among junior #engineers has been created in memory of LAETs Callum Gilbert and Daniel Cox who lost their lives last year. Today Cdr Karen Snel (centre) presented the award to LAET Devann Solomon for her leadership and enthusiasm #820NAS 820 Naval Air Squadron Royal Navy

A throwback to one of our favourite moments this year.

The sqn raised over £500, during our families' day, for local charity and great cause Children's HospiceSW.

820 pers visited their Little Harbour branch in #StAustell to meet staff, tour the facility and present the donations.

#FLYNAVY

Petty Officer Rob Macintyre and his crew should be proud of their aircraft's performance on OP Firedrake.

ZH828 flew 100+ hours over the OP. Whether resupplying the task group or hunting submarines, she just kept going.

#FIXNAVY

You can always rely on naval aviators to get the cameras out when there's a sunset.

On this occasion, lashed on HMS Diamond.

#FLYNAVY

Thanks to 820 Naval Air Squadron for all of their hard work… conducting numerous activities including ASW exercises with Norway 🇳🇴, winching to a submarine, deploying sonobuoys and providing Airborne Early Warning.
 
Great job in detecting the Russian IL-38 👀 #EyesoftheFleet
 
#UKCSG23

FIREDRAKE COMPLETE

Half of the squadron has returned to homeplate RNAS Culdrose after a couple of months at sea aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Kent.

We look forward to some time at home with our families and to welcoming our comrades back from their time aboard HMS Prince of Wales.

Nearly home.

HMS Queen Elizabeth

#UKCSG23 #FLYNAVY

Midnight over the North Sea.

#FLYNAVY #UKCSG23