In January 1940, 801 NAS was based at RNAS Donibristle with the Blackburn Skua, playing a key role in the early part of the war with operations in Norway while deploying from the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

Following an attack on Trondheim on 22 September, Skua L2942 piloted by Sub-Lieutenant Bernard Wigginton with Leading Aircraftman Kenneth King as his gunner, was unable to find their carrier and crash landed in neutral Sweden.

In August 1941, they re-equipped with Sea Hurricanes at RNAS Yeovilton, Captain George Clifton Baldwin commanded the station from 1966-1968) The squadron deployed to the Mediterranean aboard Argus, then to Eagle.

In March 1951, 801 NAS received Hawker Sea Furys and the squadron saw active service during the Korean War flying from Glory.

Glory was deployed in theatre from 3 April 1951 to 30 September 1951 and from 8 November 1952 to the Korean Armistice Agreement of 27 July 1953.

The aircraft were mainly used in the ground attack role armed with bombs and rockets, but they were also engaged in air-to-air combat with the much faster MiG-15.

The squadron operated the Sea Harrier equipped with Blue Fox radars aboard Invincible during the Falklands War.

Lt Curtis was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches In March 1997, 801 NAS was deployed onboard HMS Illustrious as part of the Carrier Task Group assigned to the Armilla patrol when it took part in Operation Jural, enforcing the 'no fly' zone over southern Iraq.

However, due to lack of manpower all former 801 and 800 NAS (their sister squadron) personnel formed a "Naval Strike Wing" within RAF Cottesmore, thus severing all remaining ties to their former home at RNAS Yeovilton.