805 Squadron RAN

805 Squadron was a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron.

History

805 Squadron was first formed as a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron in November 1940 at the RAF aerodrome at Abukir in Egypt. The Squadron operated Fairey Fulmars in a convoy protection role. The Squadron operated in the Western Desert until January 1941, when it transferred to Crete. The Squadron returned to Egypt and re-equipped with Brewster Buffalo fighters and in June 1941 these were replaced by the Grumman Martlett III. The Squadron disbanded in January 1943.

The Squadron recommissioned in the UK for service in the Pacific Campaign, equipped with Supermarine Seafires, but saw no further service prior to the end of the War.

In August 1948 805 Squadron was re-formed as a Royal Australian Navy FAA squadron operating Hawker Sea Fury Mk II aircraft. The Squadron formed part of the 20th Carrier Air Group embarked on HMAS "Sydney". During September 1951, 805 Squadron deployed to Korea, flying sorties for 64 days. Three 805 Squadron pilots were killed during the campaign. Following the retirement of the Sea Fury aircraft, the unit was disbanded on 26 March 1958.

805 Squadron reformed at Nowra on 31 March 1958, equipped with de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53 all weather night fighters. 805 Squadron embarked on HMAS "Melbourne", as part of the 21st Carrier Air Group. The Squadron was again disbanded on 30 June 1963 and the aircraft transferred to B Flight, 816 Squadron.

On 10 January 1968, 805 Squadron reformed, equipped with the McDonnell Douglas A4G Skyhawk fighter. The VF-805 designation was used to conform with USN Squadron name system during the Skyhawk era. V=Fixed Wing, F=Fighter to denote the Fleet Defence role of the aircraft. The squadron operation from HMAS "Melbourne" until 1982.

On 28 February 2001, 805 Squadron reactivated, equipped with Kaman SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite helicopters. The Squadron completed First of Class Flight Trials aboard HMAS "Parramatta", but did not reach operational status due to difficulties with integrating the helicopters' avionic systems.cite news |first=Tom |last=Allard |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Navy's $100100m chopper can't fly in bad light |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Navys-100m-chopper-cant-fly-in-bad-light/2005/03/18/1111086017635.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH.com.au) |publisher=John Fairfax Holdings |date=2005-03-19 |accessdate=2007-02-11] Following technical problems with the new helicopter, the squadron was relegated to minimal duties in 2005, grounded in 2006, and faced possible scrapping in early 2007.cite news |first=Patrick |last=Walters |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Seasprite headed for the junk pile |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21201454-601,00.html |format= |work=The Australian |publisher=News Corporation |id= |pages=p. 1-2 |page= |date=2007-02-10 |accessdate=2007-02-11 |language= |quote= ] Efforts to rectify the technical problems were not successful and the project was cancelled in early 2008. As a result, 805 Squadron was disbanded on 26 June 2008. [cite press release |title=805 Squadron Decommissions |publisher=The Hon. Greg Combet MP. Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement |date=2008-06-28 |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Combettpl.cfm?CurrentId=7903 |accessdate=2008-06-28 ]

Aircraft

RN Service

*Fairey Fulmar
*Brewster Buffalo
*Grumman Martlett III
*Supermarine Seafire (Strike)

Previous RAN Service

*Hawker Sea Fury Mk II
*de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.53
*McDonnell Douglas A4G Skyhawk
*Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

References

ources

[http://www.navy.gov.au/805_Squadron 805 Squadron Official Website]