NANAVY VY NEWS,NEWS, APRIL 2009 21
“This publicity is long overdue...”
“THEY always joke at Culdrose: If it fl ies
all types of operation. Then in October HMS Illustrious will visit helicopter, and one of the world’s most famous test
it must be RAF, because so often the air
“This need for expeditionary capability is at the Liverpool, where there will be another fl ypast pilots, added: “The general public doesn’t know
station is described as ‘RAF Culdrose’
very core of what the Royal Navy is all about and the (Friday October 23), and in November the Royal enough about naval aviation and this publicity is long
Fleet Air Arm is a key element.” British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal overdue.
in the media.” The highlight of Fly Navy 100 will be on May 7, Albert Hall will have the theme of 100 years of naval “The Fleet Air Arm is the most challenging career
It’s an anecdote, recounted by First Sea Lord when more than 50 aircraft, including the Royal Navy aviation. a young man – or woman – could ask for.
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, which captures the Historic Flight, will fl y in formation along the Thames The First Sea Lord explained: “This year is about “Anyone joining now would have a rewarding
enduring wry humour of naval aviators, but it also and over HMS Illustrious, which will be reinforcing historical knowledge and career, maybe not so dramatic as we had because the
demonstrates, says Britain’s ranking sailor, the moored at Greenwich. future relevance, and anything which immensity of WW2 won’t be repeated, but the job
nation’s “sea blindness”. The Duke of York – Commodore- does that has to be good.” won’t be any less romantic.”
Officially launching Fly Navy 100 – the RN’s cele- in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm – will Fly Navy 100 has lined up many of He continued: “There is still that element of
bration of a century of aviation at sea – Admiral Band land aboard the carrier in a Merlin the Fleet Air Arm’s most celebrated romance about it, although there is now a greater
stressed that there was more to 2009 than a birthday and watch the fl ypast with serving and aviators to help spread the word, element of change because the technology has been
bash for the Fleet Air Arm, however well-deserved. veteran aviators, including members of including Lt Cdr James Newton, who improved so much.
Throughout the year, the RN will champion the 820 NAS with whom he served in the was decorated during Operation Telic “The safety factor is much much better nowadays
heroic deeds of naval airmen past and present with Falklands in 1982. 2003, Maj Phil ‘Ned’ Kelly, the Royal and there’s been a marked difference in what you’re
a raft of shows, events, public displays and com- The following day will see a service Marine Harrier pilot, and two of its very allowed to do, but the challenge is still there.”
memorations. of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral senior ‘big guns,’ Capt Eric ‘Winkle’ Capt Brown, who fl ew to the USA a couple of
But after the party’s over? to formally recognise and pay tribute to Brown and John ‘Jock’ Moffat, who are months before his 90th birthday in January to fl y the
“One of our aims is to tell the public what naval the sacrifi ces made during the history both 90 this year. Joint Strike Fighter simulator, said: “The JSF is so
aviation is all about, and tell young people that they of the Royal Naval Air Service and the Mr Moffat, the Swordfi sh pilot whose sophisticated you won’t have the diversity we had. In
can join the Navy to fl y,” the First Sea Lord explained Fleet Air Arm. torpedo crippled the Bismarck in 1941, the future you will limit yourself to one aircraft but be
at the launch at the Royal Aeronautical Society in An exhibition entitled ‘100 Years of said: “I go round visiting schools and a master of that particular aircraft.
London. Naval Flying’ opens at the Fleet Air talking to ten, 11, and 12-year-olds. “Young men must realise times have changed and
Current operations and future capabilities will be Arm Museum in Yeovilton on July 7, When I ask them what they know they must adapt – they’re not envious of the past, but
celebrated in the coming months as well as the Fleet and a Royal Garden Party celebrating about the Fleet Air Arm, most of them they like some aspects of it.”
Air Arm’s long and illustrious history. the centenary will be held at Buckingham have never heard of it. He added: “I feel I was fortunate in being given a
“It’s particularly fi tting that the fi rst cutting of steel Palace on July 9. “I tell them I used to fl y and ask them huge number of opportunities to spread my wings –
for HMS Queen Elizabeth will be taking place during Yeovilton Air Day is on July 11, and on July 24 there what branch they think I was in, and they usually say literally. I enjoyed every minute and loved contributing
the centenary year of naval aviation,” said Admiral will be another fl ypast, this time over Eastchurch, on it must have been the RAF.” to the Service.
Band. the Isle of Sheppey, the birthplace of naval aviation He added: “It’s very important that the public “But then I love aeroplanes. I live near Gatwick and
He added: “The requirement for the two new and home of the fi rst Royal Naval Air Station. should know what the Fleet Air Arm did, and what I can’t sleep unless they’re fl ying overhead. We’ve got
aircraft carriers is testimony to the enduring capability Culdrose Air Day is on July 29 and the Channel it does today.” to keep the momentum going and I won’t let it fl ag –
of carrier aviation. Dash Association will dedicate a Swordfi sh Memorial Capt Brown, the fi rst man to land a twin-engined I’m on standby to give all the help I can to Fly Navy
“Each carrier offers the UK four acres of mobile to the Channel Dash heroes in Manston on August aircraft on a carrier, the fi rst British pilot to fl y a 100.”
sovereign base able to provide airpower worldwide for 29.
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021_NN_Apr.indd 1 18/3/09 12:10:53
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