845 established the first squadron presence in a rotating Commando helicopter commitment to Northern Ireland. Detachments served for six weeks, allowing the squadrons to share the task without moving an entire unit permanently. The Junglies already had a reputation for recovering people in difficult conditions and any weather. During one month, 845 flew 80 percent of the support-helicopter task hours while providing only 30 percent of the nominal aviation assets, with several other months approaching that result. Units requested the squadron for hard jobs, and its maintainers kept enough helicopters available to accept them.
Chapter · 22:32-24:32
Northern Ireland rotations turn availability into heavy tasking
During one month of the Northern Ireland commitment, 845 used 30 percent of the nominal aviation assets to fly 80 percent of the support-helicopter task hours.