List of Fleet Air Arm battle honours

This is a List of Fleet Air Arm battle honours. These battle honours for the Fleet Air Arm were initially awarded to naval air squadrons from action during the Second World War. One additional one, 'East Indies 1940-45' was added later and four more have been awarded since 1945: 'Korea 1950-53', 'Falkland Islands 1982', 'Kuwait 1991' and 'Al Faw 2003'.

History

Royal Navy Ships' Battle Honours were formalised in 1954, starting with 'Armada 1588' through to 'Japan 1945'. The Battle Honours Committee, which advises which are official Honours, formed of the head of the Naval Historical Branch plus a senior officer from the staff of the Second Sea Lord. The criteria consisted: "Sinking of enemy merchant ships in an escorted convoy; Engagements with light forces when both sides often incurred losses; Operations resulting in the effective complete frustration of the enemy's intention even although no warship may have been sunk." There were a couple of rules applied: "A Battle Honour will be awarded for those actions resulting in the defeat of the enemy, or when the action was inconclusive but well fought, and for exceptional cases where outstanding efforts were made against overwhelming odds; A Battle Honour will not be awarded for a British defeat, or when the action was inconclusive and badly fought."