28 NAVY NEWS, FEBRUARY 2011
Picture: Sgt Rupert Frere RLC
● Lt Cdr Roger Stringer
Hectic return to Gannet
THE former boss of HMS Gannet returned to Prestwick just in time for one of the busiest weekends of the year.
the UK’s busiest search and rescue unit for his final job before retiring from the Navy – the fourth time in his career as a pilot that the officer has been based at Gannet. But there was to be no gentle easing in, as the jobs just kept on coming on Friday and Saturday morning, his first duty back. He and the duty crew carried out four call-outs, as well as a routine training sortie, in his first 24 hours back at the controls. Roger said: “Coming to work at eight in the morning I thought that I might be fortunate enough to be afforded a more gentle transition into my new post rather than being in the cockpit for 12 hours, two thirds of which were at night and finishing at 2.30 the following morning!”
He added: “Despite having spent several years previously based at Prestwick I was still struck by the privilege that we enjoy in HMS Gannet, flying over one of the most beautiful and awe- inspiring parts of the country.” Current CO Lt Cdr
Bhattacharya said: “I am thrilled that Roger has returned home to HMS Gannet. “To have someone with his huge
aviation experience and in-depth knowledge of the aircraft or crew room alongside our more junior aircrew creates fantastic learning opportunities for all involved. “I am looking forward to many more flights with him but it would be nice if they weren’t quite as hectically busy as it was today!”
Prize for musician
A YOUNG sailor from Sheffield who studied music at university has used his talents for the benefit of fellow trainees – and won an award into the bargain. Wtr Jonathan Wragg, who joined up in May last year, has dedicated his free time to providing the musical accompaniment to the weekly church services at HMS Raleigh, and assembled a small, enthusiastic choral group for the establishment’s carol service. In recognition of his services
Jonathan was presented with the Captain’s Prize by Capt Steve Murdoch,
Officer of HMS Raleigh. Jonathan, who aims to join the officer corps, took up music at the age of eight and is a grade 8 organist. He also sings and plays the piano.
the Commanding
● Santa Jim Stevenson’s ankle is plastered by LMA Michelle Trotter (right) and LS Chantal Smith
“Receiving this award was a total surprise and I’m still a bit shocked,” said the 23-year-old. “I was looking for something fun to do which was outside of my training and this seemed perfect.” Chaplain Rev David Wylie said:
“For us he has been a Godsend in helping us provide high-quality worship at a time when it has been difficult to recruit a dedicated organist.
and professional attitude and wholehearted support to the breadth and depth of Naval life make him a worthy example amongst his peers and beyond.”
“His commitment, humble Joint operation
● Yes, we know it is now February and Christmas is old hat, but with the Type 22s taking their bow in the coming weeks we thought it only fair to record the odd milestone along the way – so here is the last group of sailors on Christmas duties on board HMS Campbeltown, complete with suitable headgear. AB(SC) Mel Haslam (kneeling, snowman hat) said they spent four hours on Christmas Eve making the hats while indulging in that festive favourite, a “good old game of Monopoly”. Alongside Mel in PO(AWT) Lewis’s picture, taken on Christmas Day, are (from left) ET(WE) Sam Holdroyd, AB(CIS) Andy Dawson, CH Phillip Mitchell, AB(CIS) Ryan Hopson and MA Donna Gale
NOT a chimney in sight, but Santa still came a cropper when he visited HMS Scott. Santa – who bears an uncanny resemblance to PO Jim Stevenson – missed his footing on the upper deck and broke his ankle. Luckily help was on hand in
After which festive frivolity resumed, including mince pies and carols, in near-tropical conditions. Scott spent Christmas at
the form of two members of the National Elf Service (who also looked remarkably like Jim’s colleagues LMA Michelle Trotter and LS Chantal Smith...) who whisked Santa down to the ship’s sick bay and put his foot in plaster.
Cape Town in South Africa as she prepared for her first stint in the Antarctic ice this austral summer. The survey ship is filling in for HMS Endurance; her fate remains undecided in Portsmouth, two years after nearly foundering. During her last deployment
south, in the 2009-10 austral summer, Scott surveyed some 3,000 miles of ocean.
Lt Cdr Roger Stringer is back at
Even Santa has to take precautions...
EVEN Santa Claus has to take reasonable precautions when delivering goodies around the hotspots of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
Door gunner PO Richard Symonds,
dressed for the
occasion, is pictured in a Sea King distributing mail and presents to troops on the ground. Servicemen and women in Afghanistan made the most of the festivities of Christmas Day, with a traditional dinner and plenty of seasonal pursuits. The MOD sent over six tonnes
of festive food to give British forces a taste of traditional Christmas
while on operations, including: Two tonnes of turkey; 1.5 tonnes of gammon; 1.5 tonnes of sprouts; 200kg of cranberry sauce; 1,000 iced Christmas cakes; One tonne of Christmas puddings;
15,000 mince pies; 45,000 After Eight mints. Charity UK4U
Thanks!
became Santa’s little helper as they provided 22,500 Christmas boxes to troops all over the world, containing a host of goodies bought with money donated from members of the public. The presents were unwrapped by troops serving in Afghanistan
on Christmas Day. While work continued for
many of the troops, most had the chance to let their hair down a little with fun and games, sports competitions, and quizzes. Church services were also held by the team of padres to ensure the true spirit of Christmas was not forgotten.
And everyone received an extra 30 minutes free time on their welfare phone card to ensure they could wish their family and friends a merry Christmas. Members of the Parachute
Regiment Band travelled around Helmand all Christmas Day to play at Christmas services and music for carol singing.
Pilot Stan calls it a day
ONE of the Royal Navy’s most experienced pilots has retired after 35 years service.
he was sent to Prestwick to become a Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot, so it is fitting that he leaves the Service having spent the last five years on 771 Naval Air Squadron in Cornwall, instructing the new generation of Naval SAR pilots. Stan has flown over 100 rescue missions in Scotland and the South West, helping to save many lives. While at Prestwick Stan also flew maritime counter terrorism missions, and was one of the pilots who recovered Lord Mountbatten and his family from Sligo to Dublin after the IRA bombing in 1979. His prime operational flying was in the anti-submarine role, spending months in the North Atlantic and Arctic, flying from various ships including HMS Bulwark, Hermes and RFA Olmeda. He has also flown in the
Lt Cdr Stan Burgess (above) joined the Navy in February 1976, to become a helicopter pilot. On completion of flying training
Caribbean and Mediterranean, and spent two years on exchange with the Royal Australian Navy – and as part of RAN centenary celebrations, Stan was required to fly the RAN ensign, which was the size of a tennis court, at 200ft through the major cities and at all the major sporting venues including the Australian Grand Prix and Melbourne Cup. For years Stan was involved in helicopter display flying for the Navy, and for two seasons led the Whales formation display team which used Sea King helicopters, displaying at many air shows around the UK and in Europe. He was recognised as providing the best display at the 1994 Nantes Air Show in France and also organised and led the NATO helicopter flypast for the 50th Anniversary of D-Day. Stan has flown over 7,000 hours in Gazelle, Squirrel, Wessex and Sea King helicopters, and was the personal pilot to the Prince of Wales between 1995 and 1998. Between 1999 and 2001 Stan
was CO of 705 Squadron, part of the Defence Helicopter Flying School. Stan was a Naval Diving Officer for 17 years and a Mountain Expedition Leader. He won several RN downhill
medals, and although retiring from flying Stan will continue to instruct on the water, as he is a yacht and motor boat cruising instructor.
OBE for loyal Reservist
THE former Commanding Officer of reservist unit HMS Sherwood has been presented with his OBE by the Prince of Wales in London. Capt Ian Robinson RNR was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List last summer – and managed to make it to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace in mid-December despite the worst the weather could throw at him.
Capt Robinson has always been
at the forefront of developments in the RNR to keep it relevant and usable by the future regular RN service. He is currently undertaking duties in the MOD as part of the Future Reserves 2020 study team.
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