RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk)

Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose (HMS Seahawk), based in Cornwall, near Helston, on the Lizard Peninsula, has three major roles: serving the Fleet Air Arm's front line Sea King and Merlin helicopter squadrons; providing search and rescue for the South West region; and training specialists for the Royal Navy (see NACSAC).

It is one of only two remaining naval air stations in the UK, the other being RNAS Yeovilton.

History

Admiralty surveyors first started preliminary surveys of land near Helston in 1942. RNAS Culdrose was commissioned as HMS Seahawk five years after these initial surveys. The station was originally designed to be a wartime airfield lasting about ten years.

The initial plans were for Culdrose to serve as a Naval Fighting School, it soon developed other roles. These varied roles included such things as the trials of the Navy's first jets, training of Airbone Early Warning crews and as a home base for carrier based aircraft. Over the years the stations emphasis changed from fixed wing aircraft to rotary wing, although its main role remains largely the same.

Squadrons based at Culdrose

Squadrons currently based at RNAS Culdrose

750 Naval Air Squadron

King Air

Observer Training

Provides training for the Fleet Air Arm's Observers.

Motto: "Teach and Strike"

771 Naval Air Squadron

Sea King HU Mk5

Search & Rescue

771 NAS is responsible for Search and Rescue in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the...
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