820 Naval Air Squadron

Bound for the Eastern Mediterranean… Our sailors stand ready, as ever, to protect our great nation as HMS Dragon departs Portsmouth today. Fair winds! 🔗royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/marc…

An 820 Merlin Mk2 ASaC arrived at @RAFAkrotiri yesterday after a 2 day transit across Europe. The Airborne Early Warning platform will work with Wildcat helicopters and Typhoon jets combatting One Way Attack drones and Cruise Missile threats around Cyprus.

Cdr Karen Snel has handed over command of 820 Naval Air Squadron to Cdr Al Woodward – just as the Culdrose Merlin Mk2 helicopter squadron prepares for this year’s carrier strike deployment with HMS Prince of Wales. #820NAS @820NAS @HMSPWLS @RoyalNavy

Thanks to photographer Michael Cuthbert who kindly shared these fantastic pictures of a Merlin Mk2 helicopter of RNAS Culdrose's @820NAS taking part in an anti-submarine warfare exercise last month at Long Loch, #Scotland. #820NAS Pictures copyright @MichaelUWC626

#OTD in 1945, the Fleet Air Arm dealt a devastating blow to the Japanese Empire with the first of two carrier-launched strikes at oil refineries. Personnel on @820NAS – whose forebears took part – remembered the men of Palembang.

#AW101 Merlin coming in to land on deck! The primary warfighting role of @820NAS is seeking out (and neutralising if necessary) enemy submarines. 🧭 #MerlinMonday

Last weekend, 820 joined forces with @HMSCattistock and HMS Tracker to go up against @HMSTriumph for the SMCC - better known as Perisher. Perisher’s final exercise pushes submarine commanders to their limits, fighting against the best Anti-Submarine helicopters in the world.

A @RoyalNavy Merlin Mk2 helicopter crew conducts a winching exercise during training at the weekend with minehunter @HMSCattistock on the River Clyde in #Scotland. The aircrew were from 820 Naval Air Squadron #820NAS @820NAS

Hands to Flying Stations! It’s great to work with our Fleet Air Arm colleagues. Thank you @820NAS for today’s Winch Exercise with one of your mighty Merlins! #seapower #navalaviators #trainhardfighthard #OneNavy

820NAS have returned to RNAS Culdrose following a successful embarkation in HMS Prince of Wales. Exercise Strike Warrior formed a key part of @COMUKCSG’s preparations for #CSG25, with great interaction between a host of UK and Allied Nation forces.

After a brief period of leave, we return to sea with our focus firmly on preparations for Operational Sea Training. #2QECAtSea #IServe

More details on this story here bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

A helicopter from Culdrose was called after the discovery of a possible WW2 grenade on a beach on the Isles of Scilly yesterday evening. A Merlin from #820NAS flew a @RoyalNavy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to St Martin's, who destroyed the object in a controlled explosion.

.@820NAS Crowsnest-equipped Merlin Mk2 helicopter airborne at Royal International Air Tattoo #RIAT2024 last week. Via @RNASCuldrose

Well done to Air Engineering Technician Jack Davis, a Merlin helicopter engineer with @820NAS who has been picked for the UK Armed Forces Rugby squad. He joins the team facing a Harlequins Academy side at Richmond Athletic Ground at 4pm today. @ukafrugby #820NAS #BZ

You've hopefully seen our recent content involving Flares and Machine Guns. Well, none of that would have been possible without the skill and know-how of PO Andrew 'AJ' Kirwin. The CO used this term's clear lower deck to recognise his contribution to the squadron. #Engineering

@LeeElliott1987 @RNASCuldrose Thanks for the photos, Lee. We hope you enjoyed your holiday.

A afternoon at @RNASCuldrose whilst away in a Cornwall. Thanks to @820NAS for the friendly welcome!

ENDEX The final element of our #SteadfastDefender24 detachment disembarked yesterday from @HMSPWLS. 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