854 and 857 Squadron Update – with 857 Squadron with it airborne early warning SEA KING ASaC7 helicopters was of course active on the helicopter carrier OCEAN for much of 2011 during the Libyan campaign.    The extended sojourn in the Mediterranean meant that 857 Squadron was not available to relieve 854 Squadron in Afghanistan as planned at the end of 2011.   854 Squadron was duly replaced (by 857 Squadron in February 2012) after a fifteen month tour of duty during which time the three strong squadron clocked up 2,500 hours of flying hours, averaging 50 hours per month per helicopter.   These Fleet Air Arm SEA KING ASaC7 units have been in service in Afghanistan continuously since May 2009 and incredibly no replacements for these forty year old machines have been ordered!