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848 Royal Navy Air Squadron has a distiguished history earned in 30 years of operations since first forming in the USA in 1943. During WW" many of the US built Grumman Avengers had been damaged attacking Japenese targets and in Kamikaze strikes on their carrier, HMS Formidable, when the sudden end to hostilities came. In 1952, 848 Squadron sailed for the Far East again, this time as the Navy's First Operational Helicopter Squadron, equipped with US built S.55's. Landbased during the emergency in Malaya, they pioneered the troopcarrying helicopter role for the Britiah Army's jungle operations, having recorded over 41,000 troops lifted and 850 sick/injured casualty evacuations on disbanding in 1956.
Surprisingly, one aircraft has survived and the veterans group, 848 Malaya Association, has launched an appeal to fund restoration and re-siting in the Fleet Air Arm museum.
Subsequently, 848 was operational in many theatres, including Borneo, the Falklands and the Gulf and is now responsible for the Navy's Commando flying training. Personnel of all formations, including WW", have been reunited by 848 Malaya Associations activities.

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