705 Naval Air Squadron | |
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Active | Royal Air Force 15 July 1936 – 24 May 1939 Royal Navy 24 May 1939 – 21 January 1940 7 March - 24 June 1945 7 May 1947 – present |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Type | Fleet Air Arm Second Line Squadron |
Role | Basic helicopter flying training |
Part of | Fleet Air Arm and No.1 Flying Training School |
Home station | RAF Shawbury |
Motto(s) | Expertam docemus artem (Latin for 'We teach the art') |
Aircraft |
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Decorations | Boyd Trophy 1983 |
Website | Official website |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lieutenant Commander Phil Crompton |
705 Naval Air Squadron was first formed as a flight in 1936 from No 447 Flight Royal Air Force and operated Swordfish torpedo bombers from battlecruisers. It achieved squadron status in 1939 before being disbanded in 1940. The squadron was re-formed briefly in 1945 and then again in 1947 as a fleet requirements unit to evaluate naval use of helicopters. Since the 1950s the squadron has been involved in the basic training of helicopter aircrew, and currently forms part of No. 1 Flying Training School at RAF Shawbury.