RNAS Yeovilton, HMS Heron, in Somerset is home to the Navy’s ‘grey’ Lynx helicopters and
the jungly Sea Kings and green Lynx of the Commando Helicopter Force.
As well as its operational squadrons that excel in the maritime, amphibious and land
environments, it trains aircrew and engineers for its home-based aircraft, and both fighter and
aircraft controllers for ship and shore.
The air base itself was commissioned on June 18 1940, originally as a base for the Navy’s
fighter aircraft.
The air station, a site of 1,000 acres employing more than 3,000 people, is one of the
busiest military airfields in the UK and among the largest in Europe.
The jungly squadrons of the Commando Helicopter Force, with their Sea King HC4, HC4+
and Lynx AH7, are in constant demand for work with the Navy’s amphibious ships and in
landlocked Afghanistan, where the famous ‘can-do’ attitude of the CHF aircraft rule in
this sea of sand.
The maritime Lynx HMA8 helicopter force is based at RNAS Yeovilton, that makes
up the Flights found on board Naval warships around the UK and globe – forming
the biggest squadron of aircraft in the Fleet Air Arm.
The Grob of 727 NAS that are used to assess aspiring Fleet Air Arm officers are a
eovilton
relatively recent addition to the site, moving from their previous home of Roborough
airport at Plymouth.
The training squadrons are focused on their primary role to turn out world-class aircrews
to support the front line. And standards are kept high by Naval Flying Standards Flight (Fixed
Wing), who using Hawk jet trainers are detached from their parent unit Fleet Requirements and
Direction Unit (FRADU) at RNAS Culdrose, to carry out familiarisation and continuation training for
fast jets, and support the Fleet during operational sea training and Joint Warrior exercises.
And of course, it is also the home of the ‘Dunker’, formally known as the Underwater Escape
Training Unit, which just as the name indicates, trains people to escape from helicopter cockpits
after a crash into water.
Yeovilton was once the home of the Sea Harrier, but now the Naval fast jet crews can be found
among the gentle hills of Rutland with Joint Force Harrier based at RAF Cottesmore and RAF
Wittering, when they’re not in Afghanistan, on board an aircraft carrier, or meeting one of their
many other commitments around the UK and the world.
RNAS Y
RNAS Culdrose, HMS Seahawk, near Helston in Cornwall specialises in the
state-of-the-art Merlin with its anti-submarine warfare role, the venerable, but
sophisticated, Sea King ‘baggers’ for airborne surveillance and control,
and the search and rescue Sea Kings of 771 Naval Air Squadron.
Training of the Fleet Air Arm’s aircrew, engineers, controllers and flight
deck crews ready for the front line continues apace at the Cornish base.
Another 1,000 acre site, HMS Seahawk first took flight in 1947 with a
life expectancy of just ten years, a ‘use-by’ date that has proven a little
inaccurate.
Culdrose’s location in the far corner of Cornwall is ideal for the
24-hour, 365-days-a-year search and rescue efforts that protect
people and craft in danger throughout the south-west of Britain
and out 200 miles in the South Western Approaches.
All the Fleet Air Arm’s Observers, who operate the surveillance
and weapons systems in our helicopters, carry out their basic
aircrew training at Culdrose, using simulators and Jetstream aircraft as
airborne classrooms.
Here resides the Naval Flying Standards Flight (Rotary Wing) team who
take charge of the ‘driving test’ which all helicopter pilots, observers and
aircrewmen must undergo each year.
Aircraft Handlers from across the Navy are drafted to Culdrose for professional
training at the RN School of Flight Deck Operations. Indeed anyone involved in
the operation of aircraft from ships will be trained at the school, not just Naval
personnel, but increasingly, members of the Army and RAF. Over 700 students
every year are trained in the specialist skills of fighting aircraft fires, as well as the
Front page picture by LA Phot Carl Osmond: A 771 NAS Search and Rescue
fundamentals of aircraft launch and recovery.
Sea King from RNAS Culdrose files above a Fly Navy 100 emblazoned Hawk
A satellite of RNAS Culdrose is Predannack Airfield, half owned by the National
Back page picture by LA Phot Stuart ‘Pusser’ Hill: The Lynx helicopter from
Trust – a site of great natural beauty and ideal as a relief landing ground for
HMS Argyll at work in the skies during a Joint Warrior exercise. helicopter pilots under training.
Centre pages picture credits from top right: LA(Phot) Alex Cave; LA(Phot) Affectionately known as FRADU, the Fleet Requirements Air Direction Unit is a
Billy Bunting; LA(Phot) A J Macleod; LA(Phot) Gregg Macready; LA(Phot)
Serco-run unit, equipped with 13 Hawk aircraft, flown by ex-RAF pilots.
Gregg Macready; CPO(Phot) Kev Preece; LA(Phot) Shaun Barlow; unknown;
The Hawks are regular features of Thursday Wars and other realistic exercises
LA(Phot) Brian Douglas; LA(Phot) Gaz Weatherston; LA(Phot) Billy Bunting;
LA(Phot) Dave Jenkins; PO(Phot) Christine Wood; PO(Phot) Christine Wood;
run by Flag Officer Sea Training for British ships and other navies, where the fast
LA(Phot) Pete Smith; LA(Phot) Steve Johncock; LA(Phot) Carl Osmond.
jets bring to life the reality of air attack to ships and their crews.
With thanks to all members of the Photographic branch of the Fleet Air Arm
who keep Navy News supplied with excellent imagery.
FFAA supplement pii-iii.indd 3AA supplement pii-iii.indd 3 221/5/09 16:07:211/5/09 16:07:21
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