Naval Air Station - UK Royal Navy

UK Royal Navy

The United Kingdom has two Royal Naval Air Stations (RNAS), RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) and RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk).

Until 2006, the former served as the main operating base for the Royal Navy's Sea Harriers, which were based upon the two Invincible class aircraft carriers. However, upon the withdrawal of the BAe Sea Harrier in that year, no strike aircraft operated from there. It is believed that all of their successors will be based at RAF Lossiemouth. The site also contains the Royal Naval Air Museum, that showcases a variety of aircraft from the Royal Naval Air Service (1914–1918) until the present day. RNAS Yeovilton also has RNAS Merryfield as its training and satellite station.

RNAS Culdrose serves a variety of helicopter and fixed-wing squadrons, such as the Sea King and the Jetstream respectively. Among the features at RNAS Culdrose include the 'Dummy deck' to train pilots about landing on ships, the Merlin training facility, and Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit. Its satellite airfield is RNAS Predannack.

See also: List of air stations of the Royal Navy for past and present stations and Mobile Naval Air Bases for WWII support bases

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