Celebrating 25 years of Merlin helicopter training – sailors and civilians came together yesterday in the hangar of 824 Naval Air Squadron to share a cake.
Captain James Hall, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, was invited to cut the Fleet Air Arm-themed cake, joined here by 824’s commanding officer Commander Alex Kelley.
Artist Izy Shaw of Indigo Zulu Ink was invited to create a piece of artwork for the occasion – a chart of west Cornwall adorned with the squadron’s crest and her distinctive Merlin designs.
As well as Royal Navy engineers, aircrew and trainees, members of the various companies involved in the squadron’s Merlin Training Facility were also invited to share a slice.
Commander Kelley thanked contractor Lockheed Martin for sponsoring the cake and Izy Shaw. She said it was important to remember the whole team effort that goes into building and maintaining a world-class maritime helicopter fleet.
It was back in the year 2000 that the Royal Navy began converting its helicopters from Sea King to Merlin. The current helicopters at RNAS Culdrose were significantly upgraded (to mark 2) from 2014, and specialise in anti-submarine warfare. A further capability for airborne surveillance and control was later introduced, completing this year.
As well as being at high-readiness to cover UK defence, 824 Naval Air Squadron trains the engineers and aircrew who operate Merlins on the two additional frontline squadrons, either in defence of the UK’s nuclear deterrent or protecting the navy’s aircraft carriers from potential threats in the air, on the surface, and below the waves.