Assigned to HMS Formidable between 1944 and 1945, 848 Squadron provided air support for the western flank of the Normandy landings and the invasion of Okinawa (Operation Iceberg).

The squadron reformed at RNAS Gosport (HMS Siskin) on 29 October 1952 with American-built Westland Whirlwind HAS.21s for work in Malaya.

[2] 848 Squadron 26 whirlwind MK 7 aircraft joined HMS Bulwark in early 1960 and deployed to the Far East for two and a half years - when the ship was in Singapore the squadron detached to the shore base HMS Sinbang RNAS Sembawang (HQ of the 3rd Commando Brigade & 42 Commando RM).

With a complement of one hundred ratings and thirty officers, the Squadron was responsible for the instruction of up to sixty pilots and aircrewmen each year.

Aircrew and maintainers received military and amphibious training and were taught how to operate in the field and from the deck of a ship.