HISTORIC

By the High Royal Decree no. 2256 bis of 15.05.1920, under the command of the aviator captain Constantin Negru, the Seaplane Squadron was established. The unit consisted of "Hansa Brandenburg W12" and "UTZI" seaplanes captured from Hungary, seaplanes, which, although used, were revitalized within the General Aviation Reserve and constituted the first operational nucleus of the Romanian sea aviation. During that pioneering period of seaplane activity, apart from the pilot training program necessary for new occupations, one of the main concerns was the research of the maritime coast in order to discover the landing districts, the direction of sea currents and the structure of the coastal area. On August 15, 1925, on the occasion of Navy Day, the first flight was performed with a seaplane of Romanian construction, built by Eng. Radu Stoika. In 1928, the first reorganization of sea aviation was recorded, creating the Sea Aviation Group consisting of three squadrons: 1st Flight Squadron, 2nd Park Squadron and 3rd Warehouse Squadron. In 1930, the Seaplane Group was transformed into the Seaplane Flotilla, which was equipped, following an order, from Italy, with 14 reconnaissance and bombing seaplanes, 7 torpedo and bombing seaplanes and 6 school seaplanes. In the period 1932-1932, works were carried out for the arrangement of a modern seaplane base at Palazu Mare, equipped with 3 or three hydroplanes fully equipped with boats for maneuvering seaplanes, for their transport and execution of rescue operations from the sea of damaged aircraft. The complete training of the navigating personnel within the Seaplane Fleet was proved by carrying out in 1935, a raid on the route Constanta-Istanbul-Athens-Constanta with 3 aircraft "Savoia Marcheti" under the command of pilot commander Ovidiu Rătescu respectively in 1938 on the route Constanţa-Istanbul-Benghazi-Tripoli-Constanţa under the command of General Vasile Henţescu on board a "Savoia" S-55 aircraft. In 1940, the organization of the Seaplane Fleet was as follows: Seaplane Fleet Command, 101st Hydro Patrol Squadron, Command Photo Section, Seaplane Fleet Base. The Squadron was equipped with "CANT" Z-501 seaplanes - for reconnaissance and light bombardment, "SAVOIA" 69 - for information, "SAVOIA" 65 - torpedo bombardment. In 1941, the seaplane fleet had 23 seaplanes, and in the period 1941-1944, 2702 combat missions were executed, totaling 7054 flight hours. After 1944, the sea aviation missions were reduced and the sea aviation was reorganized in the period 1948-1949, being transferred under the subordination of the Aeronautics Command, being formed by a seaplane squadron with 12 aircraft. On June 1, 1951, the seaplane squadron became part of the Rear Detachment of the Naval Forces Command with 15 aircraft. The last naval structure was the 256 Seaplane Patrol, disbanded on April 1, 1960. On 01.05.2005, based on the Order of the Minister of National Defense with no. MoH 28 of 20.02.2006 and of the Order of the head of SMG no. B5 / S / 966 of 26.04.2006, the Group of Helicopters from Flotilla 56 Frigates is established.

In June 2005, the first landing was performed with the IAR 330 Puma NAVAL helicopter on the deck of the frigate 221 "King Ferdinand" and on 13.07.2007 in the Military Port of Constanţa took place the commissioning ceremony of the first IAR 330 Puma NAVAL helicopter number boarding 140 in the presence of the Chief of General Staff, Admiral Dr. Gheorghe MARIN.

On July 7, 2006, at the Air Force Application School, the patenting ceremony of the military helicopter pilots from the naval officers, who were to fly the IAR 330 Puma Naval helicopters built at SC IAR Braşov, took place.

In September 2007, at Mihail Kogălniceanu Airport, the training flights with IAR 330 Puma NAVAL helicopters started and in February 2009 the training flights from Tuzla aerodrome started. In August 2008, the first daytime reconnaissance were made by helicopter pilots from the naval officers. On October 30, 2009, the first manned flight of naval lieutenants and the first pilot-in-command of the naval officers were executed. In April 2012, the first training flight was executed, organized on board the Frigate 221, with the V-aviation combat service personnel on board. In 2012, during the Atalanta mission, the IAR 330 Puma NAVAL helicopter in the staff of the frigate King Ferdinand, was the first Romanian military helicopter to fly over the Equator.

In September 2013, aboard the Frigate “Regina Maria” within the Active Endeavor mission, the V-aviation combat service consisted entirely of aeronautical and technical-engineering personnel from the navy.

In accordance with the Documentary Note of the Historical Service of the Army with no. A 3240 of 10.07.2014, the Helicopter Group is recognized as a continuation of the traditions of the Seaplane Squadron within the Sea Division, established on 15.05.1920 (unit day).