20 NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009
YOU don’t so much see a Balbo as
unseasonally bright and warm autumn day. “I don’t think that anyone knows we’re th
hear it.
For six days, the achievements of naval aviation out there – Afghanistan isn’t even lead story to
First it’s a hum, then a rumble, a drone and
past and present were celebrated in Liverpool in the news often,” sighed Cpl Andy Firth, an Th
fi nally an incessant roar.
as HMS Illustrious brought the Fly Navy 100 aircrewman with 846 NAS. m
Workers pressed against the windows of stylish
‘roadshow’ (or rather airshow) to town. “It’s a very, very high tempo out there. There
offi ce blocks lining Liverpool’s new waterfront
The carrier berthed in the shadow of the Liver are lads dying, but Jordan and Peter seem to few
while thousands of people packed the pavements
Building, serving as the focal point, launchpad grab more of the media attention.” 10
and promenades from Princes Dock to Albert
and viewing platform for the last major set piece He has a point…
Dock – a good mile. Across the Mersey they
event of the centennial: the Balbo fl y-past down But then the Fleet
“You look out of
fi lled the riverside gardens of Seacombe.
the Mersey. Air Arm has invariably
Tugs on Liverpool’s great artery squirted jets
The fl agship hosted a reception for Fleet Air played second fi ddle to
window and see
of water in appreciation. The city’s RN university
Arm veterans, local dignitaries and Liverpool’s the RAF when it comes
boat HMS Biter buzzed around. Even the Mersey
‘movers and shakers’, with guests of honour the to publicity. It is, after
Merlins in front,
ferry stopped to appreciate the sight.
Duke of York, honorary head of the Fleet Air
all, a much smaller aircraft behind y
This, at 2pm “on the dot” on October 23
Arm, and Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral
force.
was the Fleet Air Arm’s signature display in its
Sir Trevor Soar.
“If a search and
not a bad offi ce
centenary year: 39 aircraft – helicopters, jets,
“The Fleet Air Arm of today still rises to the
rescue cab gets called
– Lt Fraze
propeller-driven – at different speeds, at different
challenge. It is a credit to the Navy. It is always
out, it’s always from
altitudes, all occupying the same vertical column
found where there is work to do,” Admiral Soar RAF Culdrose,”
of air.
told guests. PO(AV) ‘Cookie’ Cook points out. to
For the past fi ve months, naval aviators have
He reminded the hundreds of people in “As for the Jungly, the aircraft is green, our
been staging this massed fl y-past – named for the
Lusty’s hangar that “our squadrons have never uniform is camoufl aged. Unless it’s a grey de
Italian inter-war pioneer of aviation. been in greater demand: 80 per cent of the Fleet
helicopter, the public think it’s Army or RAF.” Ill
They began in London, where the weather, Air Arm is deployed on current operations.”
So why do it? tw
the setting, and the severe limitations on fl ights Among those deployed squadrons are 845 and
“It’s not a bad way to earn a living,” says Cpl liv
over the capital, all conspired against them. 846 NAS, supporting operations in Afghanistan.
Firth. “Flying around in a helicopter. It would
They triumphed at the Royal International Air One hundred personal and eight Jungly Sea
be nice to get some decent trips, get some of the of
Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. Kings are in theatre and if a member of either perks that the RAF do.” H
And they brought the curtain down in style squadron isn’t just back from Operation Herrick, The CHF personnel squeezed the Liverpool ex
on the Mersey, where they were blessed with an they’re about to head there. visit into a frantic training schedule which sees
YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING... AT 500 FEET
: 4 x MERLIN, 2 x SEA KING ASaC, 2 x SEA KIN
G MK5, 4 x GREY LYNX, 4 x JUNGLY SEA KIN
G, 1 x JUNGLY LYNX, 4 x
020-021_NN_Dec.indd 1 17/11/09 16:39:30
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