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In Action
800/801 Naval Air Squadron
Naval Strike Wing (NSW) 
RAF Cottesmore

In March 2007 the Naval Strike Wing (NSW) was formed comprising of elements of 800 and 801 Squadrons and is the Fleet Air Arm's only fixed wing strike force. The NSW is one of three squadrons, the other being 1(F) Squadron RAF and 4(AC) Squadron RAF which make up Joint Force Harrier (JFH). 801 NAS was re-commissioned in October 2006 adding a black and white chequered tail to the existing 800 NAS Squadron Harriers.
800 Naval Air Squadron (800 NAS) reformed on March 31, 2006 and were allocated 13 Harrier GR.7A/GR.9's from RAF Cottesmore and are part of JFH. JFH was formed on April 1, 2000 combining the RAF's Harrier GR.7's with the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier FA.2's. It's aim was to draw together the two services, combining the best tactics and training procedures to produce a very effective strike force that can deploy from land and sea. With upgrades to the RAF's Harriers to GR.7A and eventually to GR.9/9A standard it was decided by the MOD in 2002 to retire prematurely the less capable Sea Harrier FA.2. 
By March 31, 2006 the last Sea Harriers had flown from Yeovilton to RAF Shawbury for disposal, and their Royal Navy Squadrons (800, 801 and 899) having disbanded at RNAS Yeovilton. JFH is now operating from just RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering. Under JFH Cottesmore is the home of 800 NAS followed by 801 NAS in October 2006 with 1(F) Squadron and 4(AC) Squadron, each to operate nine Harrier GR.7/7A or GR.9/9A's. Wittering is responsible for training and is operating the two-seat Harrier T.10 of which eleven are being upgraded to T.12 standard. Eventually all JFH's GR.7's will be upgraded to GR.9/9A standard enabling them to use smart weapons such as Brimstone.
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This sequence of frames made three magazines!

The Harrier GR.7A (ZD376/24A) is captured here when flying at low level in Wales flown by Lt. Adam Hogg, in their first week of operation and is in the new 800 NAS markings. This particular aircraft has recently returned from Kandahar, Afghanistan and is still showing its mission markings from when rockets/bombs were fired/dropped. A few weeks later 800 NAS deployed to the Middle East on Operation 'Aguila' aboard HMS Illustrious.

First Harrier GR.7a of 800NAS (image 061_2780w4)

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Above: Harrier GR.7A (ZD376/24A) flying at low level in Wales.
       
 

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Left to right: Harrier GR.7 (ZG502/73) at Brno, Czech in September 2006. 
Harrier GR.9 (ZD406/35) in the now joint 800/801 NAS markings including the more recently applied black and white chequered fin tip. These aircraft are now part of the Naval Strike Wing (NSW). Low flying through Wales in November 2007.

 

801 NAS Sea Harrier days
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Three images of Sea Harrier F/A.2 (ZH804/R007) and one of Sea Harrier F/A.2 (ZH796/N001) with 801 NAS in April 2005 at RNAS Yeovilton.
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Left to right: Returning to the 801 NAS ramp Sea Harrier F/A.2 (ZH797/000). Sea Harrier F/A.2 (ZH811/N005) which is just about to go out and two images of her returning to base, after a completed sortie. ZH811 was one of the last Sea Harriers to be delivered back in 1998, ZH813 was the last and has already been retired after just seven years service. In April 2005 at RNAS Yeovilton.