No. 337 Squadron RNoAF

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No. 337 Squadron RNoAF

No. 337 Squadron is a maritime helicopter squadron of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. It is based at Bardufoss Air Station in northern Norway and its helicopters are used by the Norwegian Coast Guard. The squadron has operated a sequence of different aircraft over the years and is due to receive new helicopters in the coming years.

Aircraft the squadron has flown
- Vampire (1950–1954)
- F-86K Sabre (1955–1964)
- Westland Lynx (1980–2014)
- NHIndustries NH90 (2011–2022)
- Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk (planned for 2025–2027)

History in brief
- 1950s: No. 337 Squadron was formed on 22 May 1950 to operate de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. It was based at Gardermoen, with detachments to Bardufoss and later Værnes. Vampires were retired in 1954, and the squadron became a storage unit.
- 1955–1963: The squadron reactivated to operate the F-86K Sabre, primarily for air defense and all‑weather interception. In 1963, No. 337 merged with No. 332 Squadron and the 337 Squadron was deactivated.
- 1980–2022: The squadron was reactivated on 1 January 1980 at Bardufoss to operate six Westland Lynx helicopters for Norway’s Coast Guard. The Lynx era included training abroad, some early reliability problems, and friction between the navy and air force over duties. Training improvements and simulators helped, but maintenance and parts shortages remained issues. The Lynx served until the NH90 introduction began in the 2010s.
- NH90 era and retirement: Norway ordered NH90 helicopters to replace the Lynx, and the squadron began receiving them in 2011. The NH90 fleet suffered technical and contractual problems, and in June 2022 the government terminated the NH90 contract and took the helicopters out of Coast Guard service. The squadron is planned to receive six MH-60R Seahawks between 2025 and 2027 to replace the NH90s.

Current role and operations
- The squadron’s helicopters are used by the Norwegian Coast Guard on board Nordkapp-class and Barentshav-class vessels, and on NoCGV Svalbard. The Coast Guard operates as the maritime mission arm of Norway’s Navy, with helicopters providing patrol, search and rescue, and fisheries support to protect Norway’s sovereignty over its waters.
- At Bardufoss, No. 337 Squadron continues to train and prepare for Coast Guard duties. The shift to MH-60R Seahawks is planned to modernize capabilities and extend range and endurance for maritime operations.