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silly question?

Ship Rat,
Junglies is the nickname for RN Sea King HC4 Commando Helicopter Force helos (and by association, their aircrew/groundcrew) which now fall under the Joint Helicopter Command, itself part of HQ Land. I assume that they are named thus because many moons ago (in th days of Wessex rather than Sea Kings) they used to spend a lot of time in the jungles of Malaya etc. Nowadays, 'Junglies' are found more commonly in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Similarly, ASW Merlins are called 'pingers' (after their accoustic dipping sonars) and Sea King ASaC7s 'Bags' (after the large inflatable appendage which they dangle below them when airborne.

Regards,
MM
 
MM wrote
in the days of Wessex rather than Sea Kings) they used to spend a lot of time in the jungles of Malaya etc.

The Wessex was not around in the Malayan skirmish (war) The helicopter used then was the Whirlwind, 848Sqdn did some very good work there. Read "Hovering Angels"
 
HISTORY OF 848 NAVAL AIR SQUADRON

The Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force enjoys a reputation for high standards of professionalism and flexibility and this is in no small part, attributable to the exacting and thorough instruction given by 848 Naval Air Squadron (NAS).

During its 55 year history, 848 Squadron has been disbanded and reformed several times but now has a more permanent standing, having been made the Commando Helicopter Training Squadron, based at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton.

With a complement of one hundred ratings and thirty officers, the Squadron is responsible for the instruction of up to sixty pilots and aircrewmen each year. Operating the Sea King Mk 4, pilots undertake Advanced Flying Training - how to handle emergencies and how to fly with sole reference to instruments -before crewing up with the aircrewmen, now from the Royal Marines, to learn how to operate the aircraft in a tactical environment during operational flying training.

The Squadron also trains more than one hundred and fifty helicopter maintainers annually before sending them to the front line. Aircrew and maintainers receive military and amphibious training and are taught how to operate in the field and from the deck of a ship.

848 NAS is also committed to numerous UK maritime operations and airborne support for the Royal Marines.


Formed, and reformed, for hostilities 848 Naval Air Squadron was first established in 1943 with 12 Avenger Mk 1 aircraft for the role of torpedo dropping, bombing and reconnaissance. The Squadron was embarked in HMS Trumpeter and HMS Formidable, serving in the Mediterranean and later in the Pacific where several aircraft were lost to kamikaze attacks. After the defeat of the Japanese, the Squadron returned to Devonport and was disbanded.

Seven years later, in October 1952, 848 Naval Air Squadron was recommissioned with the new American-built Whirlwind helicopters for anti-terrorist protection duties in Malaya, becoming the Royal Navy's first operational helicopter Squadron. It served with distinction in the Far East, being awarded the prestigious Boyd Trophy in 1953. It was disbanded again at then end of 1956.

The Squadron reformed for a third time in 1958 in the role which it continues today, amphibious warfare. Embarked in HMS Bulwark in her new role as a commando carrier, 848 NAS saw service in Kuwait in 1961. Re-equipped with Wessex Mark 5 helicopters in 1964, the Squadron embarked in HMS Albion for anti insurgency duties in Brunei and the Far East. Because of the wide variety of tasking, often in arduous conditions, they were nicknamed "Junglies" by the Army and Royal Naval forces with whom they worked. The Junglie title has enjoyed longevity, unlike the Squadron, which disbanded once more in March 1976.

When the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina in April 1982, 848 NAS was quickly reformed and embarked in four Flights on three Royal Fleet Auxiliaries (RFAs) and the MV Atlantic Conveyor. The Atlantic Conveyor was hit by an Argentinean Exocet missile and the ensuing fire destroyed the ship and its 848 Flight, though no men were lost. After the Falklands Campaign the Squadron was once again disbanded.

Continuing the cycle, the Squadron was recommissioned in 1991, equipped with Sea King Mk 4 aircraft, to bolster the Royal Navy Commando helicopter force during the Gulf War. The force was up with the front line throughout this fast-moving war, due to the Sea King's excellent reliability and endurance. These capabilities were much appreciated by the ground forces who would often ask specifically for the Junglies, whom they could rely on to get the job done regardless of conditions and danger. The first British troops to enter Kuwait City after its liberation were taken in by this flexible and reliable force.

848 NAS disbanded at Yeovilton on its return to the UK but reformed in 1995 to undertake its current operational training and Royal Marines support role.
 
the junglies are a lodger unit based at RNAS Yeovilton. in recent history there has always been elements of "junglies" deployed in various hot spots of the world. to give junglies the correct trem CHF it is a very busy force with many elements currently deployed with serveral move due to deploy soon. the job within CHF can be rewarding whilst seeing the A/C recover from any tasks given, not very often is any task not achieved. it is a unit that operates in quite a relaxed fasion yet maintain high standards of individuals both in engineering and Aircrew.

To correct some information previous (sorry) the Aircrew are taken from RM and RN, once their training is complete they work together and there is no difference between them (both in the back rating Aircrew and officer Aircrew)

848 is the second line unit (which does spend small amounts of time away)
845 and 846 are the Mk4 fornt line units which are VERY busy all the time deployed into certain operational areas.
847 are the Lynx Mk7 or 9 (depends which op they are doing or which needs mods applying as the army tend to use them as a mods team) they are also front line and are deployed in certain operational areas at times.

all the frontline units take part in an annual clockwork exercise in norway post Xmas to home in on extreme operating conditions.

contary to popular belief when the front line units are not on ops they are maintaining their military skills both ashore and afloat. they spend quite a bit away from home but the work can be rewarding

also there is an HQ element, this acts as the go between for various activities, including tasking, intel and technical support and back-up
 
There is no restriction on females within the CHF. There are female pilots, maintainers and other support personnel. There are however no female rear crews.
 
The word Junglie originates from a Sanskrit word Jangalie meaning “Ape Creatureâ€, in many languages of the Indian subcontinent it is generally used to refer to any wild member of either the New world monkeys or the Old World Monkeys, two of the three groupings of Simian Primates, the third group being the Junglies.

In the Fleet Air Arm maintainers and aircrew of Commando Squadrons are commonly referred to as “Junglies†due to their unique similarities to the third group of Simian Primates. Fleet Air Arm Junglies also adopt the characteristics of their ancestral primates, such as defecating in open areas, fighting with one and other and communicating with animal like grunts.

A close but more intelligent relative of the FAA Junglie is the “Pingerâ€. The word Pinger originates from the Greek word Pingus meaning superior life form. The Greeks generally referred to the Pingus as one who dwells in luxury. This can explain why the FAA Pinger will reside in 5 star hotels while on detachment as apposed to the natural environment of the Junglie i.e. freshly dug holes occasionally covered by canvas.

The modern day Junglie is slowly being adapted to survive in hot desert sand conditions. This is an ongoing trial that will take several years.

As a point of interest, the MoD have issued a press statement reporting the discovery of a missing Junglie: A Fleet Air Arm Junglie has been found alive and well after he disappeared 19 years ago during a military exercise (Milex) in an undisclosed jungle of north eastern Castle Cary. The Junglie – believed to be a part 4 trainee at the time of his disappearance was found by a BBC film crew while making a documentary for the popular “Living Planet†TV series. The Junglie could not speak any intelligible language which confirmed his link to one of the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Squadrons. A MoD spokesperson confirmed that the missing Junglie would not be entitled to Sea Leave.
 

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