There’s a change at drone unit 700X Naval Air Squadron, where Lieutenant Commander Steve ‘Cookie’ Cooke has taken over as commanding officer.
He is pictured (right) receiving the command from former commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Marcus Pennant.
The move comes just as 700X NAS prepares for this year’s aircraft carrier deployment led by HMS Prince of Wales. The squadron is embarking 12 sailors to – for the first time – use drones to fly supplies between the ships.
The squadron also has deployable fixed-wing Puma flights, has just completed a two-year project to use jet-powered Banshee drones, and has flights flying Peregrine helicopter-drones which have been used successfully in the Gulf.
“It’s a huge privilege to take on this command,” said Lt Cdr Cooke. “I am looking forward to continuing the good work that Marcus has been doing. Now is an exciting opportunity for uncrewed systems in defence and 700X is going to be at the heart of this.
“I’ve joined at a pivotal moment, with the squadron deploying personnel with multiple systems on the forthcoming carrier strike deployment. I wish them the greatest success in their endeavours.”
Lt Cdr Cooke joined the Royal Navy in 2000 and trained as a Lynx helicopter pilot. He commanded a flight with 815 NAS before becoming a Lynx trials pilot and then as a mission system trials officer, working with Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, and remotely-piloted air systems.
After converting to Wildcat, he became senior pilot on 815 NAS and then as ‘Lt Cdr Flying’ at RNAS Yeovilton. Last year he joined 700X NAS as its head of operational support and qualified as a drone pilot.