817 Squadron RAN 817 Squadron was a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron . It was originally formed as part of the Royal Navy ' s Fleet Air Arm for service during World War II and took part in combat operations in Norway , North Africa , Sicily and off the coast of France . Following the conclusion of hostilities , the squadron was disbanded in 1945 . In 1950 , it was re - raised as part of the Royal Australian Navy and subsequently took part in the Korean War . Recent deployments have included Operation Falconer , Operation Slipper and Operation Sumatra Assist . In December 2011 , the squadron was disbanded . Recent roles . Until its disbandment in December 2011 , 817 was active as a helicopter squadron equipped with Westland Sea King Mk 50 helicopters . 817 Squadron was a land based squadron operating the Sea King helicopter in Fleet Utility Support roles , including Search and Rescue , Surveillance , and Air and ground crew training . 817 Squadron also had responsibility for maintaining and operating aircraft on the " Kanimbla " class , HMAS " Tobruk " and HMAS " Success " . The Squadron was based at HMAS " Albatross " ( NAS Nowra ) . History . 817 Squadron was first formed as a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron in 1941 , operating Fairey Albacore aircraft in the ASW role in Icelandic and Mediterranean waters . The Squadron reformed in 1943 with Fairey Barracuda aircraft and carried out operations in Sumatra and the Nicobar area before disbanding in 1945 . On 25 April 1950 , 817 Squadron was re - formed as a Royal Australian Navy FAA squadron operating Fairey Firefly AS6 aircraft . The Squadron embarked on HMAS " Sydney " and served with distinction during the Korean War , operating the Fairey Firefly Mk5 . In October 1953 the squadron embarked on HMAS " Vengeance " . The Squadron disbanded and reformed with Fairey Gannet s in 1955 , operating from HMAS " Melbourne " and conducting Fleet ASW support and training until 1958 . 817 Squadron reformed in 1963 to conduct ASW , Fleet Utility support and training , equipped with Westland Wessex HAS . 31A helicopters . These were updated to Wessex HAS . 31Bs in 1968 , and the Squadron was re - equipped with Westland Sea King MK50 helicopters in 1976 . 817 Squadron operated from HMAS " Melbourne " , until the aircraft carrier decommissioned in 1982 without replacement . Recent operational deployments have included UN operations in Somalia in 1993 , peace keeping operations in Bougainville during 1994 ( where one aircraft was hit by ground fire ) and Operation Stabilise in East Timor during 1999 and 2000 . 817 Squadron has also provided operational air support to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and support to the people of the Solomon Islands during 2000 and 2001 in Operation Trek , after the civil insurgence . The squadron was also called upon in 2003 to provide further air support in the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Anode . 817 Squadron has been heavily committed to the fight against terrorism with continuing deployments to the Persian Gulf aboard HMAS " Kanimbla " and HMAS " Manoora " . These deployments have formed an integral part of the Australian contingent of the International Coalition Against Terrorism ( ICAT ) . During late 2001 and 2002 , 817 Squadron aircraft deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Slipper to enforce UN sanctions against Iraq , and again in 2003 as part of Operation Falconer with the invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq . The Squadron also has maintained one aircraft and crew at Christmas Island for various periods to provide a surveillance capability in defence of Australia ' s northern borders . Most recently , 817 Squadron has provided aircraft for Operation Sumatra Assist and Operation Sumatra Assist II , which were Australia ' s contribution to the humanitarian effort in Indonesia as a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the subsequent 2005 Sumatra earthquake . During the latter operation , one of the two Seakings ( Shark 02 ) embarked on HMAS " Kanimbla " , crashed on the Island of Nias with the loss of nine personnel . The accident occurred as a result of a series of maintenance errors , specifically the incorrect re - fitting of a nut and split pin during maintenance performed on the aircraft some two months before the crash . Deficiencies in maintenance practices , training , support and logistics operations within the Navy were also identified as contributing factors . Following the accident , several major changes were made to maintenance and safety management practices at 817 Squadron . 817 Squadron was decommissioned on 16 December 2011 . Battle honours . The following battle honour s have been awarded to 817 Squadron