RNAS Yeovilton (YEO)

RNAS Yeovilton (IATA: YEO, ICAO: EGDY), also known as HMS Heron, is a prominent Royal Naval Air Station located in Yeovil, Somerset, GB.

Type of Facility and Operations: RNAS Yeovilton is one of the Royal Navy's two active Fleet Air Arm bases and is classified as a large, multi-role military air station. It serves as the home for the Royal Navy Wildcat Maritime Force, the Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force, the Army's Aviation Reconnaissance Force, and elements of the Royal Navy Fixed Wing Force. The base operates over 100 aircraft, primarily helicopters such as the Wildcat HMA2, Wildcat AH1, and Merlin HCi3/4/4A. Beyond operational squadrons, RNAS Yeovilton is a significant training hub for aircrew, engineers, the Royal Navy Fighter Controller School, and the School of Aircraft Control. It is recognized as one of the busiest military airfields in the United Kingdom.

Notable Features and History: Commissioned on June 18, 1940, as HMS Heron, RNAS Yeovilton played a crucial role during World War II, primarily as a training facility that included practicing carrier landings on a specially marked runway. The runways were extended in the 1950s to accommodate jet aircraft. The base's Sea Harriers and Sea Kings were instrumental in the Falklands Campaign in 1982. RNAS Yeovilton is also home to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, which houses Europe's largest naval aviation collection, including a prototype Concorde 002. The station further boasts a world-class survival training facility and a Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer. In 2015, the Army Air Corps' Wildcat AH1 helicopters were consolidated at RNAS Yeovilton, leading to significant infrastructure developments as part of the Wildcat Infrastructure (WINFRA) project. The air station also hosted an annual Air Day until 2019.

Current Status: RNAS Yeovilton remains an active and operational Royal Naval Air Station. It continues to be one of the Royal Navy's primary air bases, sustaining extensive rotary-wing operations and serving as a key training establishment for approximately 1675 service and 2000 civilian personnel.