723 Squadron RAN
Encyclopedia
723 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy
Fleet Air Arm
squadron.
, personnel from the squadron operated as part of the Experimental Military Unit
, a joint Australian-American helicopter assault and transport unit.
During the squadron's history, the battle honour
s "Vietnam 1967–71", "Kuwait 1991", and "East Timor 1999" have been earned.
E helicopters. The Squadron is based at HMAS Albatross (NAS Nowra)
. The Squirrels are used for conversion training all pilots, observers and aircrew from fixed wing to rotary wing aircraft. The Agustas joined the Squadron in 2007 on lease from Raytheon Australia
and are used for multi engine training for pilots moving onto other aircraft such as the SH-60B Seahawk. They will be replaced by three leased Bell 429
helicopters from 2012.
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
squadron.
History
723 Squadron was first commissioned into the RAN on 7 April 1952 and was equipped with one Dakota, one Wirraway, one Sea Otter and two Sea Fury aircraft. During the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, personnel from the squadron operated as part of the Experimental Military Unit
Experimental Military Unit
The Experimental Military Unit was a company-sized helicopter assault force which operated during the Vietnam War. The EMU was created by the integration of a contingent of Royal Australian Navy aviation personnel into the United States Army's 135th Assault Helicopter Company.-Organisation and...
, a joint Australian-American helicopter assault and transport unit.
During the squadron's history, the battle honour
Battle honour
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a battle or operation on its flags , uniforms or other accessories where ornamentation is possible....
s "Vietnam 1967–71", "Kuwait 1991", and "East Timor 1999" have been earned.
Current Roles
723 is currently active as a helicopter training squadron equipped with 13 Aerospatiale AS 350BA Ecureuil (Squirrel) and three Agusta A109Agusta A109
The AgustaWestland AW109 is a light-weight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland...
E helicopters. The Squadron is based at HMAS Albatross (NAS Nowra)
HMAS Albatross (air station)
HMAS Albatross, also known as Naval Air Station Nowra , is an airfield operated by the Royal Australian Navy , in support of the RAN's aviation branch, the Fleet Air Arm...
. The Squirrels are used for conversion training all pilots, observers and aircrew from fixed wing to rotary wing aircraft. The Agustas joined the Squadron in 2007 on lease from Raytheon Australia
Raytheon
Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
and are used for multi engine training for pilots moving onto other aircraft such as the SH-60B Seahawk. They will be replaced by three leased Bell 429
Bell 429
The Bell 429 is a light, twin-engine helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter and Korea Aerospace Industries, based on the Bell 427. First flight of the Bell 429 prototype took place on February 27, 2007, and received type certification on July 1, 2009. The Bell 429 is capable of single-pilot IFR...
helicopters from 2012.
Aircraft
Current
- Aerospatiale AS 350BA Ecureuil (Squirrel) – training
- Agusta A109Agusta A109The AgustaWestland AW109 is a light-weight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter built by the Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland...
E – training, search and rescue, medevac and personnel transport
Previous
- Supermarine Sea OtterSupermarine Sea Otter|-Survivors:No museum holds a complete aircraft. Australia's Museum of Flight has the nose section of JN200, a Sea Otter which served with the Royal Australian Navy.-See also:-References:...
- de Havilland Tiger MothDe Havilland Tiger MothThe de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
- Auster AutocarAuster Autocar-References:...
- CAC WirrawayCAC WirrawayThe Wirraway was a training and general purpose military aircraft manufactured in Australia by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation between 1939 and 1946...
- Bristol SycamoreBristol Sycamore-See also:-External links:* on the Bristol Sycamore* on the Bristol Sycamore*...
- Hawker Sea FuryHawker Sea FuryThe Hawker Sea Fury was a British fighter aircraft developed for the Royal Navy by Hawker during the Second World War. The last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, it was also one of the fastest production single piston-engined aircraft ever built.-Origins:The Hawker Fury was an...
- Fairey FireflyFairey FireflyThe Fairey Firefly was a British Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm ....
- Westland ScoutWestland ScoutThe Westland Scout was a general purpose military light helicopter developed by Westland Helicopters. It was closely related to the Westland Wasp naval helicopter.-Design and development:...
- de Havilland Sea VenomDe Havilland VenomThe de Havilland DH 112 Venom was a British postwar single-engined jet aircraft developed from the de Havilland Vampire. It served with the Royal Air Force as a single-seat fighter-bomber and two-seat night fighter....
- de Havilland VampireDe Havilland VampireThe de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
- Douglas C-47 Dakota
- Bell UH-1
- Bell/CAC 206B-1 Kiowa
- Westland WessexWestland WessexThe Westland Wessex is a British turbine-powered version of the Sikorsky S-58 "Choctaw", developed under license by Westland Aircraft , initially for the Royal Navy, and later for the Royal Air Force...
- Hawker Siddeley HS 748