1995 To The Present
847 NAS reformed at RNAS Yeovilton with Royal Marines pilots and REME engineers on 1 September 1995, from 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron, as a tactical support unit for the Royal Marines Commandos with Lynx AH.7 and Gazelle AH.1 helicopters (the Gazelles have since been withdrawn from use). The squadron has been active in Sierra Leone and in Kosovo. The most significant delpoyment of recent years was to Operation Telic in Iraq. In May 2006, one of the squadron's Lynxes was shot down over Basra in Iraq, killing 5 service personnel onboard including 847's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman. Along with 845, 846 and 848 naval air squadrons, the squadron forms part of the Commando Helicopter Force.
It is stated that several of its Lynx Helicopters are part of the Response Force Task Group.
Read more about this topic: 847 Naval Air Squadron
Famous quotes containing the word present:
“To “give style” to one’s character—a rare and noble art! Those practice it who compass all that their natures present as strengths and weaknesses and then fit them into an artistic plan until every one appears as art and reason and even weakness enchants the eye.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)