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{{Short description|Royal Navy mobile logistics support for the Fleet Air Arm}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Royal Navy}}

The '''Mobile Naval Airfield Organisation''' (MNAO) was the shore-based component of the naval air logistics organisation. This comprised two types of units, a '''Mobile Operational Naval Air Base''' (MONAB) and a '''Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard''' (TAMY). These were mobile units, the first of which formed in 1944, to provide [[Logistics|logistical]] support to the [[Fleet Air Arm]] squadrons of the [[Royal Navy]]'s [[British Pacific Fleet]], towards the end of [[World War II]].

There were a number of units within and each unit was self-contained and designed to service and repair [[aircraft]] and [[aero engine|engines]].  Each were initially assembled at the MNAO [[headquarters]] at {{HMS|Flycatcher}}, which first commissioned at [[RNAS Ludham]], [[Norfolk]], then later at [[RNAS Middle Wallop]], [[Hampshire]], both in the [[UK]], and then were forward deployed.

When the naval threat in the [[Atlantic]] was clearly vanishing, with the decline of [[Nazi Germany]], proposals were made to involve the Royal Navy in the [[Pacific War]].  The [[United States Navy]]'s [[Commander-in-chief|Commander-in-Chief]], Admiral [[Ernest King]], did not welcome this, however.  A well-known [[anglophobe]], King preferred to exclude the British and, in addition, he laid down operating requirements that could not be met at the time.  One of these was that the Royal Navy should be self-sustaining and independent of [[United States Navy]] (USN) logistical resources for extended periods of active service.

King was effectively overruled, and the Royal Navy began establishing an adequate logistical infrastructure which included MONABs

== Concept ==

During the [[Second World War]], to meet the Royal Navy [[Eastern Fleet]]'s requirements, to provide serviceable aircraft for [[aircraft carrier]]s, along with trained [[aircrew#military|aircrew]], [[airbase]]s were constructed in Africa. They were just about completed by the time the fleet returned to [[British Ceylon|Ceylon]] but at that point they were then no longer required. The Director Naval Air Division (DNAD) drafted requirements for mobile bases in October 1942 and following a meeting in November the concept of a mobile naval airfield was created.<ref name="rnra-monab">{{Cite web |title=How the idea of the mobile airfield was born |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/Introduction.html |work=Royal Navy Research Archive |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref>

In September 1943, [[Colonel (United Kingdom)|Colonel]] Fuller, [[Royal Marines|RM]], was appointed as Senior Officer Mobile Naval Airfields Organisation (SOMNAO) and this was effectively the beginning of the Mobile Naval Airfields Organisation (MNAO).<ref name="rnra-mnao">{{Cite web |title=MNAO page1 |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/MNAO_page1.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref> November saw a proposed structure and size for a MNAO and at the beginning of 1944 the plan for the location of operations was likely to be Ceylon. However, in the spring a [[British Pacific Fleet]] was to form and the plan for the location of the operations moved to Australia. On 1 August 1944, the formation of a headquarters for the MNAO and the first two MONABs in the United Kingdom was considered.<ref name="rnra-monab"/>

The [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] had no suitable sites available so the search turned to the [[Royal Air Force]]. The [[Air Ministry]] proposed the airfield at [[Ludham]], {{convert|11|miles}} north east of [[Norwich]], [[Norfolk]]. It was agreed to take up the offer of the [[RAF Ludham|fighter station]] to use as an [[headquarters|HQ]] and forming centre, and the Royal Navy started moving into Ludham on 23 August.<ref name="RNRA-Ludham">{{Cite web |title=Ludham |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/FAA-Bases/Ludham.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive - Fleet Air Arm Bases 1939 - present day |access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref> The station was commissioned on 4 September as HMS ''Flycatcher'', Headquarters Mobile Naval Airfields Organisation.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=233}}

== Mobile Naval Airfield Organisation ==

The Mobile Naval Airfield Organisation (MNAO) was eventually made up of two different types of [[Military unit|unit]]: the Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB) and the Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard (TAMY).

Initially, a Mobile Naval Airfield Unit (MNAU) was the first type of [[Mobility (military)|mobile unit]] conceived. This was envisaged to be set up in [[Front (military)|forward areas]]. The second type of unit devised was a Transportable Air Base (TAB) which was more akin to an [[Aircraft maintenance|aircraft repair]] yard. Due to the [[Modularity|modular]] "component" system an MNAU could be upgraded to a TAB if required.  However, these had developed and renamed Mobile Operational Naval Air Base by the middle of 1944 and there became a type A (Small) and a type B (Large). The former providing mobile [[maintenance]], supporting 50 aircraft and the latter included mobile repair, supporting 100 aircraft (the equivalent of a TAB). A third unit was created, a Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard (TAMY), to provide mobile aircraft repair facilities.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=405}}

The initial idea of the MONAB was <blockquote>"the rapid provision of facilities at airfields and airstrips for the training and maintenance of naval air squadrons disembarked from carriers operating in advance of existing bases".</blockquote> These were not envisaged as an [[Stone frigate|active shore base]] for [[navalised aircraft|naval aircraft]] to operate from against the enemy. These were to supply personnel and material, typical of [[naval aviation]], to facilitate naval aircraft to utilise airfields controlled by the Royal Air Force or any other [[Military|Service]].{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=99}}

The TAMY was much less mobile than a MONAB and much more complex. These were not intended for the forward areas and were expected to be situated close to the main fleet, and their personnel needed to be highly skilled. They were equipped with a full range of [[workshop]]s, included aircraft stores and equipment, and were capable of under-taking major repairs and overhauls to [[airframe]]s, [[Aircraft engine|engine]]s and components.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=102}}

A decision was made to form five MONABs and one TAMY early in 1944. These were to be assembled in the UK and transported to the [[Far East]] for service there. The Royal Air Force station at Ludham, Norfolk, was acquired and commissioned as HMS ''Flycatcher'', known as Royal Naval Air Station Ludham, in August. It was used to assemble the MONABs at around one per month, however, at the end of 1944 Ludham was returned to the RAF, and swapped for the [[RAF Middle Wallop|Royal Air Force station]] at [[Middle Wallop]], [[Hampshire]]. The MNAO HQ, HMS Flycatcher, moved in and the airbase was known as Royal Naval Air Station Middle Wallop.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=103}}

In November 1944 four [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF) airfields were chosen for transfer to the Royal Navy. These were the [[RAAF Base Nowra|RAAF Station]] at [[Nowra]], around {{convert|80|miles}} south of the city of [[Sydney]], and was planned as a MONAB to hold up to ninety aircraft and to have a Mobile Aircraft Torpedo Maintenance Unit (MATMU). [[Jervis Bay Airfield|RAAF Jervis Bay]], which was about {{convert|20|miles}} east of Nowra, and was also planned as a MONAB to hold up to ninety aircraft and to have a MATMU. [[RAAF Station Schofields|RAAF Station ''Schofields'']] was also chosen and was initially planned to support fighter squadrons. The airbase was located approximately {{convert|30|miles}} west of Sydney. [[Bankstown Airport]], which was {{convert|12|miles}} south west of Sydney, was needed as a Receipt and Despatch Unit and possess the ability for assembling seventy aircraft at first, then rising to two-hundred per month.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=110}}

By May 1945 it was clear the [[Program management|programme]] of works at these four airfields were overrunning. To mitigate, other airfields that needed less adjustments than those already selected, were considered. These sites were put forward by the Royal Navy to fulfil its increasing requirements, including a required by date:{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=111}}
* [[Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome|RAAF Station Evans Head]], [[Evans Head]], [[New South Wales]] - required by August 1945
* [[RAAF Station Narromine]], [[Narromine]], [[New South Wales]] - required by September 1945
* Greenhills - required by October 1945
* [[Coffs Harbour Airport|RAAF Base Coffs Harbour]], [[Coffs Harbour]] - required by November 1945
* [[Cecil Plains, Queensland]] - required by December 1945
* [[Leyburn Airfield]] [[Leyburn, Queensland]] - required by January 1946
Greenhills and RAAF Base Coffs Harbour were singled out for further inspection. However, the [[End of World War II in Asia|Second World War ended]] before anything further could be realised with these.

By [[V-J Day]], nine MONABs and a single TAMY had assembled and left the UK, and a tenth MONAB was forming at RNAS Middle Wallop. Six of the nine, and the TAMY, had taken over air stations or establishments, but some of them were only half built in Australia.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=102}}

The [[surrender of Japan]] on 15 August prompted a stop to the work at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS ''Flycatcher''), although MONAB X still commissioned on 1 September 1945 as HMS ''Nabhurst''. As there was no operational need for this unit it paid off on 12 October,{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} but its equipment, along with Mobile Repair (MR) No. 4, were kept on Care & Maintenance. MONABs XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV and a proposed second TAMY were all cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |title= The Mobile Naval Airfields Organisation Victory over Japan and the cancellation of further units |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/MNAO_page2.htm# |work=Royal Navy Research Archive |access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>

The airfield at Middle Wallop was to be handed back to the RAF in April 1946. A review of the organisation was to take place and the MNAO was to become a lodger unit at [[RNAS Lossiemouth]], [[Moray]]. In particular MONAB X and MATMU 1 were to be housed at RNAS Lossiemouth while MR 4 was to be installed at Lossiemouth's satellite airfield [[RAF Milltown|RNAS Milltown]]. Lossiemouth was scheduled to be commissioned on 12 July, therefore as an interim measure the MNAO was to be accommodated across three sites: [[RNAS Fearn (HMS Owl)|RNAS Fearn (HMS ''Owl'')]], [[Ross-shire]], Scotland, [[RNAS Inskip (HMS Nightjar)|RNAS Inskip (HMS ''Nightjar'')]] and RNAE Risley (HMS ''Gosling''), both in [[Lancashire]], England, whilst awaiting a move to their new home.<ref name="Post-War_operations">{{Cite web |title= The Mobile Naval Airfields Organisation Post-War operations |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/MNAO_page3.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive |access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>

== MONAB Development Unit ==

The Mobile Naval Airfield Organisation's name was changed to reflect its new role, becoming the MONAB Development Unit (MDU). By 1950, MONAB X was held in storage at RNAS Lossiemouth (HMS ''Fulmar''), however, it was decided in the autumn of that year to reactivate it at a reserve airfield and [[RNAS Henstridge]], [[Somerset]], was chosen.

Confidential Admiralty Fleet Order (CAFO) 139/51 took MONAB 10 ([[Roman numerals]] had been dropped) out of storage from 7 September 1951. Spring 1942 saw the initial components arrive at [[RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron)|RNAS Yeovilton (HMS ''Heron'')]], Somerset, approximately {{convert|12|miles}} from RNAS Henstridge, and by the autumn MONAB 10 was in place. The unit disbanded on 2 July 1955, but by the end of the decade the MONAB Development Unit had disappeared from official records.<ref name="MONAB_10_reactivated">{{Cite web |title= The Mobile Naval Airfields Organisation MONAB 10 reactivated |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/MNAO_page3.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive |access-date=12 October 2024}}</ref>

It was confirmed in April 1956, by the Director of Air Operations and Training, that the MONAB
Development Unit had been dispersed. Also adding that its equipment, located at RNAS Henstridge and RNAS Yeovilton, was regarded obsolete.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=405}}

== MONAB ==

A MONAB was designed to have all of the effectiveness of a [[naval air station]], or an aircraft carrier, and could be conveyed to any spot around the [[earth|world]]. It was made up of a number of non-technical and technical units. There were non-technical units such as a [[Command (military formation)|command & executive unit]], a [[medical unit]], stores, a flying control unit and a radio & radar unit. The technical units included componenets such as a mobile maintenance unit, a maintenance servicing unit, maintenance air radio and maintenance air gunnery units. There were also some supplementary add-on expert units such as a maintenance storage & reserve unit, a mobile repair unit and a mobile air torpedo maintenance unit.<ref name="rnra-monabhome">{{Cite web |title=The MONAB Story |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/index.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story - A history of the mobile airfields of the Royal Navy |access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref>

In order to support the mobile bases the MNAO needed to find large numbers of specialist [[vehicle]]s and [[Trailer (vehicle)|trailers]] to cater for the mobilisation. Vehicles for functions and roles such as: [[container]]ised workshops and offices, [[air traffic control]] and [[Very high frequency]] (VHF) and [[Direction finding]] (DF) vans, [[meteorological]] van for weather forecasting, photographic tender, [[bakery]], electrical generating, [[crashtender]]s, [[ambulance]]s, and more.<ref name="rnra-monabhome"/>

=== MONAB Structure ===

The basic MONAB structure comprised a fixed set of six common elements: command, administration, repair & air maintenance, operations & training, airfield defence, and construction. The repair and maintenance components were then relevant to the units role:<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1">{{Cite web |title=Mobile Naval Air Base Components 1 |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/Components_1.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story - A history of the mobile airfields of the Royal Navy |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref>
* The command element - this consisted a [[Commanding Officer]] ([[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] or [[Commander (Royal Navy)|Commander]]), an Executive Officer (Commander or [[Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|Lieutenant Commander]]) and [[Staff (military)|staff]].
* The administration element - this comprised Medical, Dental, Pay office, Naval & Air stores, Clothing stores, Messing, [[Food|Victualling]], Station Maintenance - encompassing accommodation, Discipline, Motor Transport, Water & [[Sanitation]].
* The repair & air maintenance element was made up of workshops for: Air gunnery, Mobile Air Radio Maintenance, Mobile Maintenance, Mobile Servicing (Mobile Repair, Mobile Storage & Reserve, Mobile Personnel, Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit, Maintenance Annex, Standard Preservation Unit attached as required) by role.
* Operations & Training - this contained Flying control, Radio & Radar, Flight Deck Officer, Meteorological, Photographic, Station Flight, and a Fleet Requirements Unit if one existed.
* Airfield Defence - this was made up of Ground defence, Support, [[Anti-Aircraft]] Defence.
* Construction - a detachment of [[Royal Marine Engineers]] - No construction units were ever assembled (assumed only required by a forward area MONAB if no appropriate site were available).

=== Miscellaneous components ===

Where specific situations arose, some additional non-technical components could be attached to a MONAB to meet an exact need. For these units it is unknown what size the personnel levels were:<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Aircraft Erection unit - this components role was to fit together reserve airframes as part of a Receipt and Despatch MONAB, or TAMY.
* Aircraft Equipping unit - Its role was to install equipment into the assembled reserve airframes, as part of a Receipt and Despatch MONAB, or TAMY.
* Aircraft Stripping unit - this was tasked with the removal of equipment and parts from airframes damaged beyond local repair, as part of a Receipt and Despatch MONAB, or TAMY.
* Standard Preservation Unit (SPU) - This component was responsible for the preservation of aircraft that were to be held in storage, or were for shipment by sea.
* Mobile Malarial Hygiene Unit (MMHU) - These were specialist medical units and were attached to other units that were operating in areas infested with mosquitoes carrying malaria.

=== Repair & air maintenance elements ===

With the exception of MONAB II and TAMY I, all mobile airfield units were formed with one Mobile Maintenance element and two Maintenance Servicing elements. Each Mobile Repair element and Maintenance, Storage & Reserve element were attached to each unit where needed.

==== Mobile components ====

* Moblile Servicing (MS) - An Mobile Servicing unit was tasked to support the servicing of twenty-five aircraft over fourteen days. Each unit was equipped with four specialist lorries. This allocation included one lorry fitted out as a workshop, two general stores lorries and one general purpose lorry for transporting ground equipment.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=107}} An MS units personnel was a couple of Officers, eight CPOs and POs and five ratings. Each individual MS unit was tasked to support specific aircraft types (see individual MS listing for details).<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Mobile Maintenance (MM) - Each Mobile Maintenance unit was tasked with the maintenance of up to 50 aircraft of different types, with aircraft repair by parts replacement, and the repair & overhaul of aircraft components, for one month. These units were equipped with six specialist lorries. These included one machine shop lorry, one electrical and instrument workshop lorry, one lorry as a general-purpose workshop, one battery charging lorry and two generator lorries. Two steel framed, canvas covered portable Dorland hangars were provided for the work to be carried out under cover, capable of housing one large & one small aircraft.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=108}} An MM unit was manned by six Officers, twenty-five CPOs and POs and sixty-four ratings.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Mobile Air Radio Maintenance (MAR) - These components comprised three Radio and four Radar workshops, two stores lorries and two 22 Kw generator lorries, similar to those used by an MM.  The workshops were on road/rail containers which were mounted on three Ton Bedford trucks.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=108}} One MAR component was attached to each MONAB and supported all equipment types in use by the British Pacific Fleet. Manned by one or two Air Radio Officers and twenty-six ratings.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Maintenance, Storage & Reserve (MSR) - These units were intended to maintain and store fifty reserve aircraft, with each unit being equipped with a Dorland hangar for maintenance work.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=108}} Attached to MONABs where reserve aircraft stocks were to be held. Individual MSR units stored a number of different aircraft types (see individual MSR listing for details). An MSR unit had its own complement of 3 Officers, 29 CPOs & POs and 99 ratings.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Mobile Personnel (MP) - This component was made up of maintenance personnel. They provided their own tool kits and were tasked with supporting a disembarked squadron that had no maintenance ratings of its own.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=108}}
* Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit (MATMU) - This units role was torpedo servicing and supply. These units where attached to MONABs which supported disembarked Torpedo, Bomber & Reconnaissance (TBR) squadrons, and provided an Air Torpedo live firing range. (see individual MATMU listing for details). A MATMU was manned by 1 Officer. 2 CPOs & POs and 30 ratings.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>

==== Pack-ups ====

* Mobile Repair (MR) - A containerised pack-up unit tasked with carrying out repairs above those handled by an MM unit, but below the level requiring the attention of an aircraft repair yard. It had a large range of machine tool and equipment. These units were intended for inclusion in type 'A' MONABs, to undertake major inspections. However, due to operational demands some of the MR units in Australia were moved from unit to unit when required. Two Brook hangars were provided to enable sixteen concurrent aircraft engine changes. Each MR unit was tasked with support of a number of different aircraft types (see individual MR listing for details). The manning levels for these units is not known.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=108}}<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Mobile Servicing & Maintenance (MSM) - A containerised pack-up unit containing all the  equipment of one MM and two MS units, without the specialist vehicles, as it was designed to be substituted for the MM & MS components in a MONAB, to be installed at an airfield.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=108}}  MONAB II was the only unit known to have included an MSM.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>
* Maintenance Annex (MA) - These units could have been 'add on' components to supplement an MR, however, their tasking is not clear, (see individual MA listing for details). The manning levels for these units is not known.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent1"/>

=== Complement ===

The number of personnel for a typical MONAB were adjusted as necessary and it is entirely feasible that no two MONABs had the same complement. Additional officers and ratings were added post formation and despatch as each unit needed to be modified to meet a specific role.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent4">{{Cite web |title=Mobile Naval Air Base Components 4 |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/Components_4.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story - A history of the mobile airfields of the Royal Navy |access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref> Arguably, MONAB VII was likely the nearest to something of a standard complement.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=167}}

==== A typical MONAB complement ====

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="6"|Complement for a typical MONAB
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Component
! style="text-align:center; width:50%;"|Function
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Officers
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|NCOs
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Ratings
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Total
|-
| A
| Command & Executive
| 11
| 21
| 117
| 149
|-
| C
| Medical
| 4
| 1
| 8
| 13
|-
| S
| Stores
| 2
| 3
| 28
| 33
|-
| F
| Flying Control
| 10
| 1
| 35
| 46
|-
| R
| Radio & Radar
| 4
| 10
| 49
| 63
|-
| MG
| Maintenance, Air Gunnery
| 3
| 7
| 45
| 55
|-
| MS
| Maintenance Servicing
| 4
| 16
| 10
| 30
|-
| MM
| Mobile Maintenance
| 6
| 25
| 64
| 95
|-
| MATMU
| Mobile Air torpedo Maintenance Unit
| 1
| 2
| 30
| 33
|-
|colspan="5"|'''Total'''
|'''517'''
|}

==== Additional complement ====

MONABs were required to accommodate and feed 950 personnel from disembarked squadrons. Any MONAB that held large numbers of reserve aircraft had a Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) component and each of these had a complement of around 122 personnel.{{sfn|Hobbs|2007|p=167}}

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="6"|Additional complement requirement
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:60%;"|Component
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Officers
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|CPO & PO
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Ratings
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Total
|-
| Accommodation for disembarked squadrons
| 140
| 125
| 665
| 950
|-
| Maintenance, Storage & Reserve Unit
| 3
| 20
| 99
| 122
|}

== Units ==

There were eleven [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] units, ten Mobile Operational Naval Air Bases MONABs and one Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard (TAMY), ten of these saw [[Active duty|active service]] for the [[British Pacific Fleet]], most based in [[Australia]].  The last unit was [[Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] in 1946. Five further MONABs and a planned second TAMY were all cancelled after [[V-J Day]]:<ref name="rnra-monabhome"/>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="5"|Commissioned Units
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Unit name
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|[[Stone frigate|Ship's name]]
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|[[Ship commissioning|Commissioned]]
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|[[Ship commissioning#Decommissioning|Paid Off]]
! style="text-align:center; width:45%;"|[[Location|Located]]
|-
| MONAB I
| {{HMS|Nabbington}}
| 28 October 1944 || 15 November 1945
| [[RAAF Base Nowra]], [[Nowra]], [[New South Wales]], [[Australia]]
|-
| MONAB II
| {{HMS|Nabberley}}
| 18 November 1944
| 31 March 1946
| [[Bankstown Airport]], [[Bankstown]], New South Wales, Australia
|-
|| MONAB III
| {{HMS|Nabthorpe}}
| 4 December 1944
| 15 November 1945
| [[RAAF Station Schofields]], [[Schofields, New South Wales|Schofields]], New South Wales, Australia
|-
| MONAB IV
| {{HMS|Nabaron}}
| 1 January 1945
| 10 November 1945
| [[Naval Base Manus|NAS Ponam Airfield]], [[Ponam Island|Ponam]], [[Admiralty Islands]]
|-
| MONAB V
| {{HMS|Nabswick}}
| 1 February 1945
| 18 March 1946
| [[Jervis Bay Airfield|RAAF Jervis Bay]], [[Jervis Bay]], [[Jervis Bay Territory]], Australia<br>RAAF Base Nowra
|-
| TAMY I
| {{HMS|Nabsford}}
| 1 February 1945
| 31 March 1946
| [[RAAF Station Archerfield]], [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]], Australia
|-
| MONAB VI
| {{HMS|Nabstock}}
| 1 April 1945
| 9 June 1946
| [[Maryborough Airport (Queensland)|RAAF Maryborough]], [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]], Queensland, Australia<br>RAAF Station Schofields
|-
| MONAB VII
| {{HMS|Nabreekie}}
| 1 June 1945
| 5 November 1945
| [[Meeandah]], Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
|-
| MONAB VIII
| {{HMS|Nabcatcher}}
| 1 July 1945 
| 1 April 1947
| [[Kai Tak Airport|Kai Tak]], [[Hong Kong]]
|-
| MONAB IX
| {{HMS|Nabrock}}
| 1 August 1945
| 15 December 1945
| [[Sembawang Air Base]], [[Sembawang]], [[Singapore]]
|-
| MONAB X
| {{HMS|Nabhurst}}
| 1 September 1945
| 12 October 1945
| [[Middle Wallop]], [[Hampshire]], England
|-
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="5"|Cancelled Units{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}}
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"|Unit name
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|Ship's name
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|Commissioned
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|Fate
! style="text-align:center; width:45%;"|Intended location
|-
| MONAB XI
| HMS ''Nabsfield'' ?{{ref label|id1|note|none}}
| put on hold V-J Day
| cancelled end of August 1945
| intended for Greenhills, New South Wales, Australia
|-
| MONAB XII
| HMS ''Nabstead'' ?{{ref label|id1|note|none}}
| -
| cancelled end of August 1945
| intended for [[Coffs Harbour Airport|RAAF Base Coffs Harbour]], [[Coffs Harbour]], New South Wales, Australia
|-
| MONAB XIII
| HMS ''Nabsmere'' ?{{ref label|id1|note|none}}
| -
| cancelled end of August 1945
| intended for [[Cecil Plains, Queensland|Cecil Plains]], Queensland, Australia
|-
| MONAB XIV
| -
| -
| cancelled end of August 1945
| intended for [[RAAF Station Parkes]], [[Parkes, New South Wales|Parkes]], New South Wales, Australia
|-
| MONAB XV
| -
| -
| cancelled end of August 1945
| intended for [[West Sale Airport|RAAF Base West Sale]], [[Sale, Victoria|West Sale]], Victoria, Australia
|-
| TAMY II
| -
| -
| -
| -
|}
:{{note label|id1||none}} note: ''Nabsfield'', ''Nabstead'' and ''Nabsmere'' were originally promoted as the names for MONABs VII, VIII, & IX respectively. It is not clear why these units were renamed as ''Nabreekie'', ''Nabcatcher'', and ''Nabrock''. It is assumed these names were still intended to be used by MONABs, and in the same order, as no other names were circulated.

=== MONAB I, HMS ''Nabbington'' ===

{{main|HMS Nabbington}}MONAB I formed at RNAS Ludlam (HMS ''Flycatcher'') in September 1944, commissioned as HMS ''Nabbington'' on 28 October and departed from UK in November, arriving in Sydney in December, to commission at RAAF Nowra on 2 January 1945. The unit was able to fully support [[Vought F4U Corsair|Vought Corsair]] fighter bomber and [[Grumman TBF Avenger|Grumman Avenger]] torpedo bomber aircraft. During March and April 1945, issues with the [[runway]]s at RNAS Nowra meant the temporary use of the satellite base at RAAF Jervis Bay.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}} Between February and October squadrons from the Royal Navy's fleet carriers {{HMS|Illustrious|87|6}}, {{HMS|Indefatigable|R10|6}}, {{HMS|Indomitable|92|6}}, {{HMS|Formidable|67|6}} and {{HMS|Victorious|R38|6}}, were supported and it operated a Fleet Requirements Unit for aircraft carriers working up in the local area. It also held a formed up reserve [[List of Fleet Air Arm groups#Carrier air groups|Carrier Air Group]]. MONAB I paid off 15 November, being replaced by MONAB V, HMS ''Nabswick'', at RNAS Nowra, and its personnel either returned to the UK or were absorbed by other MONABs in Australia.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=405}}

=== MONAB II, HMS ''Nabberley'' ===

{{main|HMS Nabberley}}MONAB II assembled at RNAS Ludham (HMS ''Flycatcher'')and RNATE Risley (HMS ''Gosling''), in October 1944 as a Receipt and Dispatch Unit. An advance party sailed for Australia aboard the aircraft repair ship and [[light aircraft carrier]], {{HMS|Unicorn|I72|6}}, followed by stores and equipment in November, and remaining personnel in December. The advance party arrived in Sydney in early December and moved to Bankstown Airport, the main party arrived in late January 1945 and Bankstown was transferred on loan to the Royal Navy and quickly commissioned as HMS ''Nabberley'' on 29 January.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=405}} The unit could support every aircraft type in Fleet Air Arm service, including [[Supermarine Sea Otter]] and [[Beech Expeditor]].{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}}

Insufficient aircraft manufacturing targets meant that the Mobile Storage unit was unnecessary, therefore, in February it was broken up, sections were allocated to a number of escort carriers and sent to [[Ponam Island]] to support MONAB IV and the Forward Aircraft Pool, and to TAMY I at RNAMY Archerfield in March. [[723 Naval Air Squadron]], a Fleet Requirements Unit, formed in February, moving to RNAS Nowra in May, and [[724 Naval Air Squadron]], a Communications squadron, formed in April, moved to RNAS Schofields in March 1946.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=406}}

MONAB II and HMS ''Nabberley'' paid off at Bankstown Airport on 31 March 1946, the station returning to [[Royal Australian Air Force|RAAF]] control.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}}

=== MONAB III, HMS ''Nabthorpe'' ===

{{main|HMS Nabthorpe}}Assembled at RNAS Ludlam from mid-October 1944, commissioned as HMS ''Nabthorpe'' on 4 December, sailed for Australia and reached Sydney on 27 January 1945. It commissioned at RAAF Station ''Schofields'' on 18 February.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}} A [[706 Naval Air Squadron|Crew Pool and Refresher Flying Squadron]], a [[899 Naval Air Squadron|Supermarine Seafire Operational Training Unit]] and an [[702 Naval Air Squadron|Instrument Flying Training Squadron]] were based at HMS ''Nabthorpe''. Between March and September the MONAB hosted disembarked squadrons from {{HMS|Speaker|D90|6}}, {{HMS|Slinger|D26|6}}, {{HMS|Ruler|D72|6}}, HMS ''Indefatigable'', HMS ''Indomitable'', HMS ''Victorious'', {{HMS|Venerable|R63|6}}, {{HMS|Glory|R62|6}} and {{HMS|Implacable|R86|6}}.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=406}} Following V-J Day, MONAB III decommissioned on 15 November.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}}

=== MONAB IV, HMS ''Nabaron'' ===

{{Main|HMS Nabaron}}Formed at RNAS Ludham in November 1944, commissioned as HMS ''Nabaron'' and sailed also for Australia in January 1945. It reached [[Manus Island]] in the [[Admiralty Islands]] via Sydney, then commissioned at the [[United States Navy]] constructed airstrip on [[Ponam Island]] as RNAS Ponam, on 2 April.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}} It provided support for squadrons from HMS ''Formidable'', HMS ''Implacable'', {{HMS|Vengeance|R71|6}} and HMS ''Victorious'' and a number of [[escort carrier]]s. It also provided reserve aircraft storage. After V-J Day aircraft and equipment were removed from RNAS Ponam, this taking place in October, and the MONAB decommissioned on 10 November 1945.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=406}}

=== MONAB V, HMS ''Nabswick'' ===

{{main|HMS Nabswick}}Formed up in December 1944 at RNAS Ludham, commissioned as HMS ''Nabswick'' and sailed to Australia on 1 February 1945. It lodged at RNAS Nowra until eventually it took over RAAF Jervis Bay, on 1 May.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=237}} A Fleet Requirements Unit was in operation and the MONAB supported disembarked squadrons from HMS ''Implacable'', HMS ''Formidable'', HMS ''Glory'', HMS ''Colossus'' and HMS ''Vengeance'', between May and October. It took over the airbase at Nowra on 15 November, replacing MONAB I there. MONAB V decommissioned on 18 March 1946.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=406}}

=== TAMY I, HMS ''Nabsford'' ===

{{main|HMS Nabsford}} TAMY I was assembled in December 1944 with over 1,000 personnel split across two sites, at RNAS Ludham (HMS ''Flycatcher'') and RNATE Risley (HMS ''Gosling''). It was commissioned HMS ''Nabsford'' on 1 February and sailed for Australia where it took over the former US facilities at Archerfield Airport and commissioned RNAMY Archerfield on 27 March.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}} The TAMY used a number of sites in the area including an Army camp at Focklea. It was tasked with the assembly of aircraft that had been shipped out from the US and UK, including in particular Vought Corsair and Supermarine Seafire.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} TAMY I absorbed MONAB VIl during November and paid off on 31 March 1946.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}}

=== MONAB VI, HMS ''Nabstock'' ===

{{Main|HMS Nabstock}}MONAB VI assembled at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS ''Flycatcher'') in March 1945 and commissioned as HMS Nabstock on 1 April. It sailed from Greenock, Scotland, in April and arrived in Sydney, Australia, 23 May.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} It arrived at RAAF Maryborough and commissioned as RNAS Maryborough on 1 June, sharing the airbase with the RAAF Radar School. Its role was to hold a stock of reserve aircraft, primarily Vought Corsair and Grumman Avenger, and from June through to October supported squadrons from HMS ''Indefatigable'' and HMS ''Victorious''. Maryborough airfield was returned to the RAAF on 14 November and MONAB Vl moved to Schofields Airport, taking over from MONAB III and re-commissioned there as HMS ''Nabstock'' the following day.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=406}} The airfield returned to the RAAF and HMS ''Nabstock'' decommissioned in June 1946.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}}

=== MONAB VII, HMS ''Nabreekie'' ===

MONAB VII assembled at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS ''Flycatcher'') from mid-March 1945. It was conceived as a Receipt and Despatch unit.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} It sailed for Australia in June and arrived in Sydney on 28 July. Travelling onwards, it arrived at the former USN Seabee camp at Meeandah, near Brisbane, on 9 August and shared the airfield at Archerfield with TAMY I. It was also part based at Rocklea and here commissioned as HMS ''Nabreekie''. Japan surrendered only one week afterwards and HMS ''Nabreekie'' eventually decommissioned on 5 November, and the majority of its ratings transferred to TAMY I.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}}

=== MONAB VIII, HMS ''Nabcatcher'' ===

{{Main|HMS Nabcatcher}}MONAB VIII assembled at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS ''Flycatcher'') in May 1945, It commissioned as HMS ''Nabcatcher'' on 1 July.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} Designated as a Fighter Support unit (Supermarine Seafire, Vought Corsair and Fairey Firefly), it arrived in Sydney on 31 August, destined for [[RAAF Amberley]], Queensland, but was redirected to [[Hong Kong]]. It commissioned as RNAS Kai Tak on 28 September, providing shore facilities for disembarked squadrons, with [[1701 Naval Air Squadron]] providing [[Air-Sea Rescue]] and [[721 Naval Air Squadron]], a Fleet Requirements Unit.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}} It decommissioned in August 1946 and RNAS Kai Tak then came under the control of the shore station, {{HMS|Tamar|shore station|6}}.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}}

=== MONAB IX, HMS ''Nabrock'' ===

{{Main|HMS Nabrock}}MONAB IX assembled at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS ''Flycatcher'') in July 1945. It commissioned on 1 August as HMS ''Nabrock''{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} and sailed for Australia in August, destined for [[Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome|RAAF Station Evans Head]], New South Wales. However, after arriving in Sydney it was redirected to [[Singapore]].{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}} HMS ''Nabrock'' and MONAB IX paid off on 15 December,{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} however, the Ship's company were retained as the complement for the new HMS ''Simbang'' which re-commissioned as RNAS Sembawang the same day. The MONAB itself was held in storage at RNAS Sembawang until the mid-1950s but it was never used.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}}

=== MONAB X, HMS ''Nabhurst'' ===

MONAB X assembled at RNAS Middle Wallop (HMS ''Flycatcher'') from 23 July 1945 and was intended to support Vought Corsair and Supermarine Seafire. It was planned to be installed at RAAF Station Narromine, New South Wales.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}} It commissioned as HMS ''Nabhurst'' on 1 September, but following V-J Day it was decommissioned on 12 October.{{sfn|Wragg|2019|p=238}} The unit was retained by the MNAO for trials and development usage.{{sfn|Ballance|Howard|Sturtivant|2016|p=407}}

== Operational locations ==

The geographical distribution of MONAB operational facilities worldwide.

=== New South Wales ===

A map of [[New South Wales]], Australia, illustrates the [[List of Royal Australian Air Force installations|Royal Australian Air Force installations]], where a Mobile Naval Air Base (MONAB) was established. These include RAAF Station Nowra, which accommodated HMS ''Nabbington'' and later HMS ''Nabswick''; Bankstown Airport, the site of HMS ''Nabberley''; RAAF Station Schofields, home to HMS ''Nabthorpe'' and subsequently HMS ''Nabstock''; and RAAF Jervis Bay, the original base for HMS ''Nabswick''.
{{Location map+ | New South Wales
| relief = yes
| width = 550
| float = center
| caption  = Operational locations for the four MONABs which were situated in [[New South Wales]], Australia. The colour of the location mark indicates the type of airbase or unit at each location, red: Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB)
| places =
  {{Location map~ | New South Wales
    | position = left
    | lat_deg = -34.948889
    | lon_deg = 150.536944
    | label   = RAAF Station Nowra
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | New South Wales
    | position = right
    | lat_deg = -33.925
    | lon_deg = 150.988333
    | label   = Bankstown Airport
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | New South Wales
    | position = top
    | lat_deg = -33.713611
    | lon_deg = 150.871111
    | label   = RAAF Station Schofields
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | New South Wales
    | position = right
    | lat_deg = -35.146667
    | lon_deg = 150.696667
    | label   = RAAF Jervis Bay
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
}}

=== Queensland ===

A map of Queensland, Australia, illustrates the locations of Royal Australian Air Force installations, highlighting where a Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB) and a Transportable Air Maintenance Yard (TAMY) were stationed. RAAF Station Archerfield served as the base for HMS ''Nabsford'' and HMS ''Nabreekie'', while RAAF Maryborough was the original site for HMS ''Nabstock''.
{{Location map+ | Queensland
| relief = yes
| width = 450
| float = center
| caption  = Operational locations for the two MONABs and the TAMY which were situated in [[Queensland]], Australia. The colour of the location mark indicates the type of airbase or unit at each location, red: Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB), yellow: MONAB and Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard (TAMY)
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Queensland
    | position = left
    | lat_deg = -27.569444
    | lon_deg = 153.007778
    | label   = RAAF Station Archerfield
    | mark    = Yellow_pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Queensland
    | position = left
    | lat_deg = -25.512861
    | lon_deg = 152.713556
    | label   = RAAF Maryborough
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
}}

=== Admiralty Islands ===

A map of Papua New Guinea illustrates the locations of United States Navy installations from World War II, highlighting the sites of a Mobile Naval Air Base (MONAB) and a Forward Aircraft Pool. NAS Ponam Island served as the base for HMS ''Nabaron'', while the Royal Naval Forward Aircraft Pool No. I was established at NAS Pityilu Airfield.
{{Location map+ | Papua New Guinea
| width = 650
| float = center
| caption  = The colour of the location mark indicates the type of airbase or unit at each location, red: Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB), green: RN Forward Aircraft Pool
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Papua New Guinea
    | position = left
    | lat_deg = -1.9125
    | lon_deg = 146.885556
    | label   = NAS Ponam Airfield
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ | Papua New Guinea
    | position = right
    | lat_deg = -1.977222
    | lon_deg = 147.224167
    | label   = NAS Pityilu Airfield
    | mark    = Green_pog.svg}}
}}

=== Hong Kong ===

A map of Hong Kong indicating the location of Kai Tak, the site where the MONAB HMS ''Nabaron'' was stationed.
{{Location map+ | Hong Kong
| relief = yes
| width = 650
| float = center
| caption  = The colour of the location mark indicates the type of airbase or unit at each location, red: Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB)
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Hong Kong
    | position = left
    | lat_deg = 22.328611
    | lon_deg = 114.194167
    | label   = Kai Tak Airfield
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
}}

=== Singapore ===

A map of Singapore indicating the location of Sembawang Air Base, which was the site of the MONAB HMS ''Nabrock''.
{{Location map+ | Singapore
| relief = yes
| width = 650
| float = center
| caption  = The colour of the location mark indicates the type of airbase or unit at each location, red: Mobile Operational Naval Air Base (MONAB)
| places =
  {{Location map~ | Singapore
    | position = left
    | lat_deg = 1.425278
    | lon_deg = 103.812778
    | label   = Sembawang Air Base
    | mark    = Red_pog.svg}}
}}

== Component allocations ==

Each of the individual repair and air maintenance elements supported a specific aircraft type or types. Each Mobile Servicing unit serviced one specific aircraft type, each Mobile Maintennace units serviced two or more aircraft types, usually aligned those types of the accompanying Mobile Servicing units. Individual Mobile, Storage & Reserve and Mobile Repair units also supported a number of different aircraft types.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent2">{{Cite web |title=Mobile Naval Air Base Components 2 |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/Components_2.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story - A history of the mobile airfields of the Royal Navy |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref>

=== Component allocation table for Mobile Servicing (MS) ===

Each Mobile Servicing unit serviced one specific type of aircraft as shown in the table below:

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
! style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="3"|Mobile Servicing
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:40%;"|Supported aircraft types
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Attached to
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 1
| [[Grumman TBF Avenger|Grumman Avenger]] Mk.I & Mk.II
| [[HMS Nabbington|MONAB I]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 2
| [[Vought F4U Corsair|Vought Corsair]] Mk II & Mk IV
| MONAB I
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 3
| [[Fairey Firefly]] I
| [[HMS Nabthorpe|MONAB III]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 4
| [[Supermarine Seafire]] F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB III
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 5
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV
| [[HMS Nabaron|MONAB IV]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 6
| [[Grumman F6F Hellcat|Grumman Hellcat]] F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II
| MONAB IV
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 7
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II
| [[HMS Nabswick|MONAB V]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 8
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV
| MONAB V
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 9
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II
| [[HMS Nabstock|MONAB VI]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 10
| [[Vultee A-31 Vengeance|Vultee Vengeance]] TT.IV
| MONAB VI
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 11
| Fairey Firefly I
| [[HMS Nabreekie|MONAB VII]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 12
| [[Supermarine Sea Otter]] Mk I
| MONAB VII
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 13
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV
| [[HMS Nabcatcher|MONAB VIII]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 14
| Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB VIII
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 15
| Not known
| [[HMS Nabrock|MONAB IX]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 16
| Not known
| MONAB IX
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 17
| Not known
| [[HMS Nabhurst|MONAB X]]
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 18
| Not known
| MONAB X
|-
| Mobile Servicing (MS) No. 19 - 28
| Not known
| intended for MONABs XI - XV but not formed
|}

=== Component allocation table for Mobile Maintenance (MM) ===

Each Mobile Maintenance unit provided air maintenance on two or more types of aircraft, aligned to those types of aircraft of the accompanying Mobile Servicing units, as shown in the table below:

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="3"|Mobile Maintenance
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:40%;"|Supported aircraft types
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Attached to
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 1
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II,<br>Miles Martinet TT.Mk I
| MONAB I (Detached to R.N. Forward Aircraft Pool, Pityliu 7 June 1945, returned 17 September 1945)
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 2
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB III
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 3
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Fairey Firefly I,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB IV
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 4
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>[[Miles Martinet]] TT.Mk I
| MONAB V
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 5
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB VI
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 6
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB VII
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 7
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Fairey Firefly I,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB VIII
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 8
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB IX
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 9
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| MONAB X
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 10
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III?
| MONAB XI (not formed)
|-
| Mobile Maintenance (MM) No. 11-14
|colspan="2"| Planned for inclusion in MONABs XII - XV units scrapped before formation when the remaining MONABs were indefinitely shelved
|}

=== Component allocation table for Mobile Repair (MR) ===

Each Mobile Repair units provided a repair facility for a number of different aircraft types, as shown in the table below:

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="3"|Mobile Repair
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:40%;"|Supported aircraft types
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Attached to
|-
| Mobile Repair (MR) No. 1
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Fairey Firefly I,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III<br>(Originally planned for support of Grumman Avenger, [[Fairey Barracuda]], Vultee Vengeance and Supermarine Sea Otter)
| MONAB V.<br>later MONAB I.<br>Arrived at Nowra 10 April 1945
|-
| Mobile Repair (MR) No. 2
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Beech Expeditor,<br>Miles Martinet TT.Mk I,<br>Supermarine Sea Otter I<br>(Originally planned for support of Vought Corsair and Grumman Hellcat)
| MONAB V, but transferred to MONAB VI from 5 November 1945
|-
| Mobile Repair (MR) No. 3
| Unknown, probably Supermarine Seafire (all marks)
| Originally intended for MONAB XI, but raised locally in Australia during November 1945 when MONAB VII was paid off and operated as part of TAMY I
|-
| Mobile Repair (MR) No. 4
| Unknown
| Intended for MONAB XII (unit assembled in the UK even though MONAB XII was cancelled). Retained by the MNAO as part of the post war MONAB X for trials & development work and installed at RNAS Milltown (satellite airfield) when the MNAO relocated to RNAS Lossiemouth, in 1946
|-
| Mobile Repair (MR) No. 5
| Fairey Firefly & Supermarine Seafire
| Intended for MONAB II at RNAS Schofields but probably never formed
|}

=== Component allocation table for Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) ===

Each Mobile, Storage & Reserve unit provided a repair facility for a number of different aircraft types, as shown in the table below:<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent3">{{Cite web |title=Mobile Naval Air Base Components 3 |url=https://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/MONABS/Components_2.htm |work=Royal Navy Research Archive - The MONAB Story - A history of the mobile airfields of the Royal Navy |access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="3"|Mobile Repair
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:40%;"|Supported aircraft types
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Attached to
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 1
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II
| MONAB V, transferred to MONAB I upon arrival in Australia. To Forward Aircraft Pool on [[Pityilu Island]] from 7 June and returned to RNAS Nowra on 17 October 1945.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 2
| Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III,<br>Fairey Firefly I
| MONAB V, temporarily attached to MONAB I upon arrival in Australia and transferred to MONAB V when the MONAB occupied RNAS Jervis Bay.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 3
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II,<br>Fairey Firefly I,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III
| Formed from the storage element of MONAB II at RNAS Bankstown, together with MSR Nos. 4, 7 & 8.<br>Split into 'A' & 'B' units and embarked in {{HMS|Unicorn|I72|6}} and {{HMS|Striker|D12|6}} to provide an aircraft pool for the forward area.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 4
| Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II
| Formed from the storage element of MONAB II at RNAS Bankstown, together with MSR Nos. 3, 7 & 8.<br>Embarked in HMS ''Unicorn'' and HMS ''Speaker'' it was to be disembarked to USNAS Ponam to operate as part of MONAB IV. HMS ''Unicorn'' disembarked the vehicles and stores on 8 March, the remainder of the unit, along with the advance party of MONAB IV, disembarked from HMS ''Speaker'' on 15 March.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 5
| (Original types) - Grumman Avenger Mk.I & Mk.II,<br>Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV
| Split into 'A' & 'B' sub-units & embarked in HMS ''Arbiter'' and HMS ''Chaser'' to act as the Forward Aircraft Pool, relieving HMS ''Unicorn'' and HMS ''Striker''. The element installed in HMS ''Arbiter'' arrived on board around 15 May 1945, and remained until late September when it was disembarked to MONAB II. The unit reported at MONAB I by November 1945, personnel departed for the UK 6 December 1945 on RMS ''Aquitania''.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 6
| Fairey Firefly I,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III,<br>Supermarine Sea Otter I
| Formed at RNAE Risley. Disembarked from HMS ''Arbiter'' on 1 June 1945 to Ponam Island to operate as part of MONAB IV.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 7
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II
| Formed from the storage element of MONAB II at RNAS Bankstown, together with MSR Nos. 3, 4 & 8. Transferred to strength of TAMY 1 in early April 1945 after the yards arrival in Australia.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No.8
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III,<br>Grumman Hellcat F. Mk. I & F. Mk. II
| Formed from the storage element of MONAB II at RNAS Bankstown, together with MSR Nos. 3, 4 & 7. Transferred to strength of TAMY 1 in early April 1945 after the yards arrival in Australia.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No.9
| Vought Corsair Mk II & Mk IV,<br>Supermarine Seafire F Mk.III & L Mk.III,<br>Fairey Firefly I
| Formed in the UK in June 1945 and sailed with MONAB VIII for Australia. Arrived in Sydney following V-J Day then allocated to operate with MONAB VIII at RNAS Kai Tak, Hong Kong. Embarked in HMS ''Reaper'' for passage to Hong Kong, disembarking in late October.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 10
| Unknown
| Formed in the UK in July 1945, scheduled to sail with MONAB IX.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No.11
| Unknown
| Formed in the UK in August 1945 and scheduled for deployment with MONAB X in September. Both units were to remain in the UK.
|-
| Mobile, Storage & Reserve (MSR) No. 12
| Unknown
| Scheduled to form in September 1945 and sail in October with MONAB XI; both cancelled after V-J Day.
|}

=== Component allocation table for Mobile Annexe (MA) ===

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="3"|Mobile Annexe
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:40%;"|Supported aircraft types
! style="text-align:center; width:30%;"|Attached to
|-
| Mobile Annexe No. 1
| Uncertain, likely Vultee Vengeance TT.IV
| MONAB IV
|-
| Mobile Annexe No. 2
| Uncertain, likely Supermarine Sea Otter I
| MONAB VI
|}

=== Component allocation table for Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit (MATMU) ===

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="3"|Mobile Annexe
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:50%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:50%;"|Attached to
|-
| Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit No. 1
| At RNAS Lossiemouth by 1946, used by the MNAO for trials and development work.
|-
| Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit No. 3
| Arrived in Australia in March 1945. Established 8 miles from Jervis Bay.<br>Operated as part of MONAB I, then later MONAB V at Nowra and Jervis Bay, but no torpedo training was done.
|-
| Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit No. 5
| Unknown
|-
| Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit No. 6
| Arrived in Australia in December 1944 and established at RAAF Nowra. Operated as part of MONAB I and later MONAB V.
|-
| Mobile Air Torpedo Maintenance Unit No. 7
| Formed at RNAS Lee-on-Solent in October 1944, arrived in Australia early in 1945. Established near Jervis Bay to operate independently, demonstrating its capabilities and ability to function as a separate self sustaining unit.<br>Arrived at MONAB IV on Ponam Island 6 July - 7 October 1945,<br>MONAB I and V at RNAS Nowra 30 October - 13 February 1946
|}

== Miscellaneous components ==

List of miscellaneous components which were added to a MONAB, where required, when certain conditions dictated.<ref name="rnra-monabcomponent3"/>

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="2"|Standard Preservation Unit
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:50%;"|Unit designation
! style="text-align:center; width:50%;"|Attached to / notes
|-
| Standard Preservation Unit No. 1
| Mentioned in official reports; possibly supported all aircraft types.<br>Likely a part of Receipt & Despatch MONAB or TAMY I -  actual unit deployment not known.
|-
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="2"|Receipt & Despatch Unit specialist components
|-
| Aircraft Erection unit
| rowspan="3"|One of each unit formed locally by MONAB II in Australia and one in the UK for MONAB VII. Essential component of Transportable Aircraft Maintenance Yard No.1
|-
| Aircraft Equipping unit
|-
| Aircraft Stripping unit
|-
!style="align: center; background:#B0C4DE;" colspan="2"|Mobile Malarial Hygiene Unit
|-
| Mobile Malarial Hygiene Unit No. 5
| Attached to MONAB IV at RNAS Ponam, Admiralty Islands.
|-
| Mobile Malarial Hygiene Unit No. 7
| Attached to MONAB VIII at RNAS Kai Tak, Hong Kong.
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Royal Navy shore establishments]]
*[[List of air stations of the Royal Navy]]
*[[Royal Navy Dockyard]]
*[[Seaplane bases in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Lists of military installations]]
*[[Operation Ivory Soap]]

== References ==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Ballance |first1=Theo |last2=Howard |first2=Lee |last3=Sturtivant |first3=Ray |title=The Squadrons and Units of the Fleet Air Arm |date=2016 |publisher=Air Britain Historians Limited |isbn=978-0-85130-489-2 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Hobbs |first=David |title=Moving Bases Royal Navy Maintenance Carriers and MONABs |year=2007 |publisher=Maritime Books |location= [[Liskeard]], [[Cornwall]], UK |isbn= 978-1-904459-30-9 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Wragg |first=David |title= The Fleet Air Arm Handbook 1939-1945 |year=2019 |publisher= The History Press |location= [[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]], UK |isbn= 978-0-7509-9303-6 |language=en}}

{{Refend}}

==External links==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120920031346/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Squadrons/MONAB.html MONABs Fleet Air Arm Archive]}}
* [http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/navy/rnfaa.htm Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in Australia During WW2]
* {{cite web|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~faahistoryweb/index.htm |title=The MONAB Story |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720192453/http://www.btinternet.com/~faahistoryweb/index.htm |archive-date=2012-07-20 |url-status=dead }}

[[Category:Royal Navy bases outside the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Royal Naval Air Stations| ]]
[[Category:Naval aviation units and formations of the United Kingdom]]