RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)

Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton
Yeovilton, Somerset in England
An Merlin HC3 of 846 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Yeovilton during 2016
Badge of HMS Heron
RNAS Yeovilton Location in Somerset Show map of Somerset RNAS Yeovilton RNAS Yeovilton (the United Kingdom) Show map of the United Kingdom
Coordinates	51°00′31″N 002°38′16″W / 51.00861°N 2.63778°W / 51.00861; -2.63778
Type	Royal Naval Air Station
Area	452 hectares (1,120 acres)
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	Royal Navy
Controlled by	Fleet Air Arm
Open to the public	restricted
Condition	operational
Website	Official website
Site history
Built	1939 (1939) – 1941
In use	1941 – present
Garrison information
Current commander	Commodore Niall Griffin
Airfield information
Identifiers	IATA: YEO, ICAO: EGDY, WMO: 038530
Elevation	22.8 metres (75 ft) AMSL
Runways Direction Length and surface 08/26 2,292 metres (7,520 ft) concrete 04/22 1,463 metres (4,800 ft) concrete
Source: UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication[1]

Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, commonly referred to as RNAS Yeovilton, (IATA: YEO, ICAO: EGDY) (HMS Heron) is an airbase of the Royal Navy, sited a few miles north of Yeovil, in the English county of Somerset. It is one of two active Fleet Air Arm bases, the other being RNAS Culdrose. RNAS Yeovilton is currently home to the Royal Navy Wildcat HMA2, along with Army Air Corps Wildcat AH1 helicopters, as well as the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force Merlin HCi3/4/4A and Wildcat AH1 helicopters.

The site consists of 1,000 acres (1.6 square miles; 4.0 square kilometres) of airfield sites, plus ranges and minor estates. Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton is a large multi-role air station, with an annual budget of some £61 million. The airfield is also home to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, and until 2019 the station hosted an annual Air Day in July.