Formed on 7 Apr 1952 with an eclectic mix of fixed wing types, as the RAN Anti-Submarine School. Received the first 3 RAN helicopters (the Bristol Sycamore) on 11 Mar 1953 and worked until decommissioning on 25 Oct 1956. Re-commissioned on 18 Feb 1957 with 5 Sycamores and 4 fixed wing aircraft, which were transferred to 724 Squadron in Nov 1961, leaving 723 Squadron as an all rotary wing unit. 2 Scouts arrived for Survey Support work in April 1962 and 6 UH-1B Iroquois arrived in May 1964 to eventually replace the Sycamores, which were finally withdrawn in June 1965. In 1969, it was restyled HT-723, in common with US Navy practice. The Hueys formed the core of the aircrew training for RANs Viet-Nam commitment. In 1973 both Scouts were replaced by 3 CAC Kiowa. When 725 Squadron decommissioned, 4 Wessex 31Bs arrived for Utility Support work. 6 more Wessex arrived in 1979 for use in the Army Support role. All 10 Wessex departed for 816 Squadron in 1984, being replaced by 6 AS350B Squirrels. In Aug 2000, the remaining 3 Kiowas on charge were transferred to Australian Army Aviation.
The squadrons primary role is Pilot, Observer and Aircrew training through the Pilot Basic Rotary Course (PBRC), Pilot Advanced Rotary Course (PARC), Observer Basic Rotary Course (OBRC) and Aircrew Basic Rotary Course (ABRC)
Final flight of all 6 Squirrels took place on 1 Nov and the display team was stood down
Structure |
Joint Helicopter School - 13 to -
News about 723 Squadron |
10,000 Flight Hours for Australian EC135 Trainers
02-Dec-19 - Royal Australian Navy 723 Squadron training helicopters achieved 10,000 flight hours since reception in 2015. The milestone was logged during firefighting missions for NSW Bushfires from RAAF Base Williamtown #FlightHoursRoyal Australian Navy Retires S-70B-2 and AS350
01-Dec-17 - The Royal Australian Navy formally retired the S-70B-2 Seahawk and AS350BA Squirrel from 723 and 816 Squadrons during a ceremony at NowraRAN Bell 429 Visited Children Cancer Charity
24-Apr-15 - Royal Australian Navy Bell 429 from 723 Squadron visited Camp Quality Childrens Family Cancer CharityHMAS Anzac To Northern Trident 2015
12-Apr-15 - On its way to Anzac Cove and beyond, the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac has kept itself busy with daily flying operations using the ship’s embarked AS350BA Squirrel helicopter.723 Squadron welcomes Bell 429 to HMAS Albatross
06-Jun-12 - “These are indeed exciting times”, 723 Squadron Commanding Officer, Commander Matthew Shand told the assembled guests as the Royal Australian Navy marked the introduction of the Bell 429 helicopter into service with a ceremony at HMAS Albatross on 5th June.More News ... | |
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723 Squadron Operations |
Dates | Operation | |
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2013-oct-04 | 2013-oct-05 | International Fleet Review Sydney 2013 |