817 Squadron
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| Commanding Officer | Commander Rob Gagnon |
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817 Squadron operates six Westland Sea King Mk 50A helicopters in the Maritime Support Role. Situated on the South Coast of NSW at Naval Air Station (NAS) Nowra, 817 Squadron provides the RAN with deployable aircraft and crews able to work in conjunction with it's amphibious transport and afloat support vessels to enable sustained operations.
In addition to it's operational responsibilities, 817 Squadron also conducts training for aircrew posted to fly the Sea King. Among the many tools used during training, the Sea King simulator is the most valuable. The 30 year old simulator, colloquially known as 'The Box', remains a vital training tool in preparing aircrew for the challenges of naval operations.
817 Squadron and it's Sea Kings are often called upon to help the community. Whether the mission is flood relief, fire bombing or ocean rescues, 817 Squadron's military skills are regularly used to give direct assistance to Australians in need.
The Squadron's crest heralds our previous role of Anti-Submarine Warfare, however our motto AUDE FACERE, translated Dare to Do, still rings true today.
Sea King Simulator
In addition to it's operational responsibilities, 817 Squadron also conducts training for aircrew posted to fly the Sea King. Among the many tools used during training, the Sea King simulator is the most valuable. The 30 year old simulator, colloquially known as 'The Box', remains a vital training tool in preparing aircrew for the challenges of naval operations.
The Box conducted it first training sortie in December 1976 and is used to train both front and back seat aircrew to a standard required to be able to conduct safe operational flying in the real aircraft.
The training is achieved using a flight simulator for pilot Operational Flying Training (OFT), and a separate Rear Crew Compartment Simulator (RCCS), for Sensor Operator (SENSO) OFTs. Both simulators are operated separately for their respective training requirements, but can be integrated for combined crew exercises.
