706 Naval Air Squadron

706 Naval Air Squadron (706 NAS) was a Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. First established as a fighter and torpedo-bomber training unit in Australia at the end of World War Two, it was briefly reformed as a helicopter squadron in the early 1950s, before being more permanently established in 1962 as a helicopter training unit, and operating until 1998.

First formation
The squadron was formed in the UK in January 1945 and sailed for Australia where it was officially commissioned on 10 April 1945 at RNAS Schofields (HMS Nabthorpe) near Schofields, New South Wales. It operated as a refresher training and conversion unit for the British Pacific Fleet, flying the Avenger, Barracuda, Corsair, Firefly, Hellcat and Seafire. In late August, following the surrender of Japan, the unit was transferred to a base at Maryborough, Queensland, and in October moved again to HMS Nabbington at Nowra, New South Wales. In January 1946 the unit returned to Schofields, and was disbanded on 31 May 1946.

Second formation
The squadron was reformed at RNAS Gosport on 7 September 1953 flying the Whirlwind HAS.22 ASW helicopter and the Hiller HT Mk.1. In October 1953 it moved to Northern Ireland, firstly to RNAS Sydenham near Belfast, then in February 1954 to RNAS Eglinton, being occasionally based aboard HMS Perseus (R51). The squadron was disbanded on 1 March 1954, and its aircraft were transferred to 845 Naval Air Squadron.

Third formation
In January 1962 the squadron was reformed for a second time as a helicopter training unit at RNAS Culdrose flying the Wessex HAS.1. 706 Squadron's B Flight was formed at Culdrose on 7 January 1964 and equipped with the Wessex and Hiller HT Mk.2 to operate in the Commando Assault role, but was incorporated into 845 Squadron when it arrived in Borneo to take part in the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. In November 1964 the squadron received Westland Wasps for advanced training. In January 1970 it converted to the Sea King HAS.1, and in February 1975 Wasp training was transferred to 703 Squadron. From February 1978 until April 1993 it was administrative host for the Royal Air Force's Sea King Training Unit. The squadron continued with Sea King flying training, with sea training conducted aboard RFA Engadine, until disbanded in February 1998.