847 Naval Squadron: Best flight safety record

The trophy is awarded annually to the Fleet Air Arm Squadron that is assessed as having the best flight safety record. It was presented to the Royal Marines and Royal Naval personnel that make up 847 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) at a Parade ceremony, in front of their friends and families, where they were also presented with their Op TELIC Campaign Medals.

The Bambara Flight Safety Trophy was presented by Commodore Jerry Stanford, Assistant Chief of Staff (Carrier Strike Aviation) and in true naval tradition, the youngest member of the Squadron, Air Engineering Technician Lee Morfett accepted it on behalf of the Squadron.

After the presentations, Commodore Stanford, praised the Squadron for their outstanding achievements during another difficult period in a short but illustrious history.

Based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, the Squadron operated at Basra Air Station in Southern Iraq between October 2007 and February 2008.

Utilising the Mark 9 wheeled variant of the Lynx helicopter equipped with some of the latest equipment, the Squadron undertook diverse roles ranging from convoy escort and aerial surveillance to supporting counter-insurgency operations.

During this period the base came under constant mortar and small arms attack. Air Engineering Technician Harry Clifton said:

"It was my first operational deployment. We were working extremely long hours, in a dangerous environment but it was incredibly rewarding."

Upon their return from Iraq, some of the Squadron immediately deployed to Northern Norway for arctic training while those remaining took some welcome leave and Adventure Training.

Personnel are now preparing themselves and their aircraft for their next Operational mission in Afghanistan where they will team up with their sister Squadrons 845 and 846 NAS.  The Commanding Officer of 847 NAS, Major Lenny Brown Royal Marine, said:

"It is absolutely right and proper that personnel from the Commando Helicopter Force and 847 in particular, whose performance has been first class in demanding operational circumstances under extreme environmental conditions are recognised publicly, on a parade such as this."

847 NAS is one of four Squadrons which together with supporting elements make up the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). Integrated under the command of an HQ, the CHF was established to operate helicopters in support of the UK armed forces.

They are a combined Royal Navy/Royal Marine force who fly Sea King and Lynx helicopters and specialise in amphibious warfare. 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons operate Sea King Support Helicopters (SH) whilst 847 NAS operate Lynx Battlefield Helicopters (BH). 848 NAS train aircrew and engineers for the SH role.

While all the squadrons are part of the Royal Navy, 847 NAS is very much a Royal Marine unit.

CHF's home base is RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset but all the squadrons deploy regularly on detachments and exercises around the world.

The helicopters and personnel of 845 and 846 Naval Air Squadrons have been deployed in Afghanistan for over eight months and are carrying out a wide range of demanding tasks from moving individuals and small teams about, to over-flying and protecting ground convoys and assisting in the seizure of illegal weapons.