1700 Naval Air Squadron
| 1700 Naval Air Squadron | |
|---|---|
Squadron badge | |
| Active | 1 November 1944– 3 June 1946 2 October 2017 – present |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Type |
|
| Role |
|
| Part of | Fleet Air Arm |
| Home station | RNAS Culdrose |
| Motto(s) | |
| Aircraft | See Aircraft flown section for full list. (1944-46) |
| Battle honours | Burma 1945 |
| Website | Official website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant Commander Barry Smith, RN |
| Insignia | |
| Squadron Badge Description | Blue, issuant from a base barry wavy white and blue two cubit arms proper grasping a stockless anchor erect gold winged white (1945) |
1700 Naval Air Squadron (1700 NAS) is a non-flying Fleet Air Arm (FAA) naval air squadron of the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy (RN). On 31 October 2017, the Maritime Aviation Support Force (MASF) at RNAS Culdrose was recommissioned as 1700 Naval Air Squadron. The unit provides personnel and naval aviation support to operations for ships and land bases globally. The squadron serves as a comprehensive resource for specialised skills, fulfilling personnel needs and delivering naval aviation support to both maritime and terrestrial bases worldwide. Comprising medics, meteorologists, engineers, and aircraft controllers, the can deploy to any location around the globe within hours.
The squadron was formed in November 1944 at RNAS Lee-on-Solent as an amphibian bomber reconnaissance squadron. It was equipped with the Supermarine Sea Otter, and the squadron joined HMS Khedive in January 1945 bound for Sulur in India. On arrival the Sea Otters were augmented with Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraft.
The squadron's aircraft were distributed among the escort carriers of the Far East Fleet for air sea rescue and minesweeping duties. By April 1945 aircraft of the squadron were serving in HM Ships Stalker, Hunter, Khedive, Emperor, Ameer, Attacker and Shah. July saw operations at Car Nicobar, and off Phuket Island.