By 1939, 802 Squadron was operating from HMS Grebe (Dekhelia) in Egypt[3] where, like all Fleet Air Arm units, it was taken over by the Admiralty on 24 May 1939.

In April 1940 802 Squadron was serving aboard Glorious with twelve Gloster Sea Gladiators when the ship was recalled to participate in the defence of Norway.

The squadron ceased to exist after Glorious was sunk by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau on 8 June 1940 during the defence of Norway.

By VJ day, the squadron had spent a short period in HMS Queen, and had been anticipated to leave for the British Pacific Fleet with 9th Carrier Air Group.

Carmichael achieved this feat during a dogfight which started when a formation of four Sea Furys under his command were attacked by eight MiGs during a fighter bomber mission over Chinnampo.