Royal Navy aviators preparing for demanding disaster relief exercises on the British Virgin Islands.

The Royal Navy task group in the Caribbean are preparing for demanding disaster relief exercises on the British Virgin Islands.

Commando Merlin helicopters of 845 Naval Air Squadron have flown reassurance patrols and carried out reconnaissance over the islands ahead of the training, which will prepare troops for relief operations on the British Overseas Territory in the event of a hurricane.

HMS Medway and RFA Argus are at the centre of the task group, which is in the Caribbean for hurricane season work and to carry out counter-narcotics operations.

The ships dropped anchor near to Spanish Town, on the island of Virgin Gorda – whose residents received crucial aid from Britain's armed forces in the wake of Hurricane Irma back in 2017.

There, they transferred stores and delivered mail to the crews for the first time in two months.

UK Royal Navy aviators thanked for work in the Caribbean

THE governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands has thanked Royal Navy aviators for supporting security patrols.

Photo Royal Navy / Crown copyright

Personnel from 815 Naval Air Squadron’s 203 Flight met Nigel Dakin following a number of night-time patrols in their Wildcat helicopter supporting the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Service.

Having successfully completed a number of night time patrols working along with officials at Provo Radar Station and the police, the Royal Navy 203 Flight met with Governor Dakin, so he could learn more about their work.

Along with members of the TCI government, they were shown the advanced surveillance equipment on board, and taught how the helicopter is manned and maintained.

Merlin fliers are helping their Wildcat counterparts get their sea legs by helping to train them aboard HMS Westminster.

Photo Royal Navy / Crown copyright

Merlin fliers are helping their Wildcat counterparts get their sea legs by helping to train them aboard HMS Westminster.

Fresh from submarine hunting in the Denmark Strait on a NATO exercise, the Portsmouth-based warship is helping train the naval aviators of tomorrow from 825 Naval Air Squadron.

825 feeds the front-line Wildcat squadron 815, also based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, with fully-trained air and ground crew so they can deploy on operations around the world, typically with Royal Navy destroyers or frigates such as Westminster.

The extensive training for the fliers includes key sea time – such as deck landings by day and night, winching personnel or loads from the flight deck, and refuelling without landing.

A Royal Navy patrol helicopter is the eyes in the sky over the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.

Photo Royal Navy

A Royal Navy patrol helicopter is the eyes in the sky over the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.

The Wildcat from Yeovilton-based 815 Naval Air Squadron has left her mothership, RFA Argus, to work on maritime security patrols alongside the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Service (RTCIPS).

203 Flight, which has already had a jam-packed deployment in the region since arriving in April, has gone ashore for a few weeks for scheduled maintenance ahead of potential hurricane season missions, but also to complement the local police’s operations.

Photo Royal Navy

The Wildcat is equipped with cutting-edge sensors and radars, making it a world-class aircraft for reconnaissance and patrol sorties.

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm’s biggest spectacle is going virtual so aviation fans don’t miss out on International Air Day.

An Apache  taking part in 2016's display                                                             Photo Royal Navy 

The Fleet Air Arm’s biggest spectacle is going virtual so aviation fans don’t miss out on International Air Day.

The July 11 showcase of the best of British naval aviation is the Fleet Air Arm’s premier public showcase, pulling in more than 30,000 visitors to RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

Like many public events this summer, International Air Day fell victim to restrictions on large gatherings due to the pandemic.

So organisers have teamed up with aviation buffs Planes TV to offer you ‘The best of Air Day’.

The firm has recorded two decades worth of shows at Yeovilton for the enthusiast market, and has dipped into that extensive back catalogue to provide a mix of performances from attendees.

You won’t get the same smells or roars of jet engines, or feel the earth shake as explosions are triggered during air day’s trademark commando assault which brings the show to a close in spectacular fashion.

The decks of HMS Queen Elizabeth are roaring with the sound of F-35 Lightning jets

The decks of HMS Queen Elizabeth are roaring with the sound of F-35 Lightning jets as the famous Dambusters squadron landed on the aircraft carrier for the first time today.

Pilots, engineers, cyberspace and mission support staff from 617 Squadron, the UK’s operational strike squadron, embarked the carrier over the weekend during a quick stop in Portsmouth for supplies before the aircraft themselves landed on board this afternoon.

It marks the first time 617 Squadron – famously known as the Dambusters – has fully joined HMS Queen Elizabeth as the UK prepares to deploy the next generation squadron of fighter aircraft to operate from the sea.

The F-35 jets that landed on board today will be the same aircraft that will sail next year with the ship for her maiden Global Carrier Strike Group 21 deployment.

Commander Mark Sparrow, the Commanding Officer of 617 Squadron, said: “We are excited to be on board the carrier and we have been training hard to be here.

“This is the first time the ship’s operational squadron has embarked and worked together.

“The F-35 brings next generation capability to UK Defence through its ability to find, destroy or avoid enemy air defences and enemy aircraft whilst gathering intelligence data.”

Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has completed and handed over to the Royal Navy a project at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has completed and handed over to the Royal Navy a project at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton.

    Image of the RNAS Yeovilton Bowser Park. Copyright Mott Macdonald

The project included work to improve essential access and egress to its sites from the public highway and provision of a new Fuel Bowser Vehicle Park which will remove the potential risk of a fuel spillage from the fuel tankers used on site. Additional works included bringing an existing gymnasium back into use and improvements to an electronic firing range.

Final work on the contract was completed and officially handed over to the Royal Navy this week, 1 month ahead of the customer agreed delivery date.

All parties have collaboratively worked to maintain momentum on the project and deliver this essential project for the MOD. The project adapted working practices to ensure health and safety of all staff following new government and construction industry guidelines related to Covid-19.

Royal Navy Merlins return to HMS Queen Elizabeth

RNAS Culdrose based 820 Naval Air Squadron, the “Carrier Squadron”, has re-joined HMS Queen Elizabeth to take part in Basic Sea Training and Carrier Sea Training in preparation for the carrier task group’s maiden operational deployment next year.

Photo Royal Navy / Crown Copyright

Aircrew, engineers, survival equipment technicians and logistics personnel have embarked with their Merlin Mk 2 helicopters as the ship is put through its paces by the Fleet Operational Sea Training (previously Flag Officer Sea Training) organisation - a rigorous test of the ship’s safety, capability and readiness to deploy.

820 NAS Commanding Officer, Commander Ian “Reg” Varley said: “I have recently taken over Command of 820 NAS and I am hugely excited and privileged to be going to sea with my team.

Photo Royal Navy / Crown Copyright

“We were recently on call supporting the nation’s emergency services and we have just handed that over to another Culdrose squadron so that we can focus on our more traditional purpose which is to defend the UK’s aircraft carrier Task Group.

UK's Royal Naval helicopter crews have proved their ability to protect the UK’s aircraft carriers with a new missile system

Royal Navy helicopter crews have proved their ability to protect the UK’s aircraft carriers with a new missile system.

Photo Royal Navy/Crown Copyright 

As sailors and marines support the current national fight against COVID-19, the Yeovilton-based Wildcat Maritime Force, which includes 815 Naval Air Squadron, is focused on ensuring the UK is prepared for future global threats.

Blasting from a Wildcat helicopter, the new Martlet missile was this week tested on a range off the coast of Wales.

In 0.3 seconds, the missile detached from the Wildcat HMA Mk2 helicopter, accelerating to one and a half times the speed of sound.

Photo Royal Navy/Crown Copyright 

The trials mark an important milestone in the testing of the new system which will arm the Wildcat helicopters that deploy as part of HMS Queen Elizabeth’s maiden operational deployment next year.

The UK's Navy’s largest helicopter touched down on HMS Medway

The Navy’s largest helicopter has debuted on its global patrol ships for the first time, during three days of intensive training in the Caribbean.

Commando-carrying Merlin Mk4s touched down on HMS Medway during a concerted period of aviation training for the new patrol ship in preparation for the imminent hurricane season.

Medway is currently working side-by-side with support ship RFA Argus which has been deployed to the Caribbean to provide vital aid and assistance to British – and other – citizens in the region should their islands be hit by a severe tropical storm.

Embarked on Argus are specialist Royal Marines and soldiers, equipment and aid, plus one Wildcat and three Merlin helicopters to move personnel and kit around any disaster zone.

There’s no helicopter assigned to HMS Medway, but there is a flight deck, allowing the ship to serve as a ‘lily pad’ – hosting helicopters temporarily, refuelling them, giving crews a break, transferring personnel and equipment.

UK Naval aviators practised a rescue from one of the smallest vessels in the Fleet

Naval aviators in the UK practised a rescue from one of the smallest vessels in the Fleet when they dropped in on survey ship HMS Magpie in the Solent.

Observer (navigator/weapons specialist) Lieutenant Commander ‘AJ’ Pearson was carefully lowered on to the tiny open deck area of Magpie by his fellow 824 Naval Air Squadron aircrew – the first time winching to and from the 18-metre-long craft has been attempted.

Magpie’s quarterdeck is little larger than the cockpit of a yacht – making it ideal for practising winching a casualty from a confined space.

Although the Royal Navy no longer maintains dedicated search and rescue squadrons – a service now provided by the Coastguard – its helicopter crews must maintain the ability, whether it involves saving a casualty from one of our warships such as an injured crew member aboard Magpie, plucking downed aviators out of the ocean, or responding to Maydays from civilian mariners wherever a British warship might be on patrol in the world.

An F-35 Lightning jet pilot talks about operating the F-35 jet

An F-35 Lightning jet pilot has given unparalleled insight into the experience of flying the stealth fighter from the deck of one of the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers.

As HMS Queen Elizabeth continues to work towards her first operational deployment in 2021, more qualifying training for UK F35 Lightning fighter jet crews is in the offing.

The F-35s will be conducting practice manoeuvres from her decks, giving vital experience to the aircrews and ship’s company involved in air operations.

Ahead of this next vital step, pilot Lieutenant Commander Stephen Collins, call sign Lothar, has revealed his experiences as a Royal Navy F-35 pilot in a fascinating interview that took place during the recent Westlant 19 deployment to the east coast of the United States.

Royal Navy aviators have completed vital reconnaissance sorties over Bermuda

Photo Royal Navy / Crown copyright

Royal Navy aviators have completed vital reconnaissance sorties over Bermuda after support ship RFA Argus arrived in the Caribbean ahead of hurricane season.

Three Commando Merlin helicopters of 845 Naval Air Squadron and a Wildcat of 815 Naval Air Squadron have joined Argus as she patrols the region in readiness to support British Overseas Territories during the hurricane season. 

Working with Bermudan authorities, the Commando Helicopter Force Merlins and 815’s Wildcat gathered crucial information on landing sites where humanitarian aid could be brought ashore if called for by the island’s governor in a time of need.

“As my first deployment and after a long sea transit it was great to have the opportunity to experience the beautiful island of Bermuda from the air,” said Lieutenant Matt Gordon of 845 NAS.

 

Military virus response helicopters practice at Tyneside naval reserve base.

Photo Royal Navy / Crown Copyright

Tynesiders were treated to the rare sight of Wildcat action on their doorstep when Army pilots dropped in on Naval Reserve base HMS Calliope.

Crews from the Army Air Corps 1 Regiment, No 659 Squadron made use of the landing site at the Gateshead establishment as they practised for their coronavirus mission.

As part of the military support to the NHS and civilian authorities – Operation Rescript – three Army battlefield Wildcats have been dispatched from their base at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset to RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.

Their missions working for the COVID-19 Support Force are likely to involve them flying over towns and cities (Calliope is just 56 miles from Leeming, barely 20 minutes’ flying time) as they deliver supplies, ferry medics around or carry people who are sick, rather than the rolling terrain of a battlefield they are more normally used to.

Photo Royal Navy / Crown Copyright

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Royal Navy helicopters from Culdrose help in the fight against coronavirus COVID-19 in the South-West

Photo Royal Navy/Crown Copyright

This week Royal Navy helicopters joined in the national struggle against the coronavirus, helping millions of Britons in the West Country.

As part of the Royal Navy’s support to the NHS throughout the UK during the pandemic, Merlin helicopters from Culdrose will act as flying ambulances and transporters, flying supplies and personnel.

The helicopters – typically used for submarine-hunting – will provide round-the-clock assistance to the NHS and South West Ambulance Services, serving a population of more than 4,500,000 people across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Bristol, Somerset, the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly.

Three Merlin Mk2 helicopters and their crews from 820 Naval Air Squadron have been set aside for the task, aided not just by their own engineers and technicians, but the entire support network at the Helston airbase: medics, air traffic controllers, safety and logistic experts.

The submarine-hunting equipment which normally fills the helicopters’ cabins has been stripped out so the Merlins can carry several stretchers, passengers and stores quickly, smoothly and efficiently over long distances.

"This is very different from our ordinary role, but jobs like this are in our DNA. We are helping out the nation and the National Health Service during these testing times – it’s a real moment for everyone to pull together."  

Commander Chris ‘Grassy’ Knowles, 820’s Commanding Officer

Impressive line-up of aircraft for this years The Royal Navy International Air Day in Yeovilton

Image Kevin Wills

The Royal Navy International Air Day will take place at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton in Somerset on Saturday 13 July 2019.

RNAS Yeovilton, the spiritual home of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, will open their gates to up to 40,000 visitors to enjoy the magnificent five-hour flying display, meet our Armed Forces personnel and see their equipment up close.

There will also be a huge array of educational ground attractions from interactive Service displays to engineering fairs and state-of-the-art defence technology exhibitions. Families will also be able to enjoy trade stalls, arena displays, helicopter pleasure flights, simulators and fairground rides.