Additionally, the airbase hosts 700X Naval Air Squadron, recognised as the Royal Navy's specialist unit for drone operations.
There is also a number of non-flying units at RNAS Culdrose including 1700 Naval Air Squadron which delivers engineering, aviation, and logistical assistance for operations and exercises globally, both at sea and on land.
Additionally, it houses the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations, the institution responsible for training all personnel involved in aircraft handling.
These varied roles included such things as the trials of the Navy's first jets, training of airborne early warning crews and as a home base for carrier-based aircraft.
The aircraft, an Airbus A319 painted yellow and named 'The Firefly', carried dignitaries including Seb Coe, Princess Anne, and David Beckham.
The unit's various roles include protecting the Royal Navy against surface and sub-surface threats, command and control, transport, evacuation and Search and Rescue capabilities.
Each Merlin has a bespoke package of calendar and hourly tasks, emergent repairs and modifications as detailed in a Statement of Work (SoW).
The primary task of the ETS is to train sufficient air engineering personnel to enable the front line to achieve operational capability.
It comprises approximately 20 personnel including both service and civilian instructors and is headed by a lieutenant who is responsible to Commander of Air Engineering.
[17] Motto: Nostris in Manibus Tuti (Safe in our Hands) RNAS Culdrose has a satellite airfield at Predannack which it uses primarily as a relief landing ground and night flying for helicopter pilot training; it also houses a small arms range and aircraft fire fighting facilities.
[18] 700X Naval Air Squadron, which is tasked with the advancement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology within the Royal Navy, conducts its training and testing operations at Predannack Airfield, despite being officially headquartered at RNAS Culdrose.
[23] On 7 June 2016 the band performed a dawn fanfare on the King Harry Ferry to honour the official birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
The Motto was : "Experienta Docet" – "Experience Teaches" Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit (FRADU) FRADU was operated by the contractor Serco Defence and Aerospace as part of the RN MAC 2004, using 13 BAE Hawk T1 advanced jet trainer aircraft on lease to the Royal Navy from the RAF and based at RNAS Culdrose.
Two of these aircraft were permanently detached to Naval Flying Standards Flight (Fixed Wing) at RNAS Yeovilton where they were flown by RN pilots, but maintained by Serco engineers.
771 Naval Air Squadron771 was responsible for search and rescue in Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the western English Channel, in total an area of approximately 200 nmi (370 km; 230 mi).