Latest Royal Navy Merlin helicopter aircrew get their wings in parade at Yeovilton

Twelve members of 846 Naval Air Squadron have received their wings after a parade at RNAS Yeovilton.

The six pilots and six aircrewmen will now go on to operate Merlin helicopters in an operational environment.

Lieutenant Matt Shaw, 846 Naval Air Squadron, told Forces News it had taken five years to get his wings, but it now feels "fantastic".  

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"We have worked so hard to achieve this and we've all gelled so well as a group and it's been great to share it with everyone here," he said.

"It's absolutely brilliant."

Lt Shaw also said receiving his wings felt different from passing out as an officer, as the training he received to become a pilot saw him "given the chance to really shine as an individual".

"I think you can share it with your friends and family a lot more, and it just means that much more," he explained.

It was not just a case of pilots on parade, as the six aircrewmen received their wings as well.

Leading Aircrewman Jamie Keirle told Forces News the aircrewmen "manage everything in the back of the aircraft".

"We… keep the pilots on the straight and narrow," he said.

"We do it all… it is literally anything that is behind the cockpit is crewman world."

LACMN Keirle said getting his wings was, apart from having children, the "biggest part of his… entire life".

"It means a lot, not only to me but I think to everyone who passed out today," he said.