Navy's latest Wildcat crew ready to cut their teeth after passing out in wings parade
The Royal Navy has got four new Wildcat helicopter aircrew among its ranks after a wings parade at RNAS Yeovilton.
Wildcat helicopters and the Royal Navy ensign decorated a hangar at the naval base as the personnel received their aircrew badges and finally complete their training.
Receiving their wings means personnel move from a training environment to the frontline, with these four set to operate the Navy's Wildcat aircraft from frigates and destroyers around the globe.
One of those passing out was Lieutenant Hal Wotton, who will serve as a Wildcat pilot - something he has wanted to do since he was a child.
“My family is quite aviation-centric," he told Forces News.
"My dad's a pilot, so it was always part of what I wanted to do growing up.
"I'm excited to be finished and all I want to do is just get out the door and do what I've trained to do."
He admits this does come "with a bit of apprehension".
"I don't really know what that's going to entail, what comes next, but I'm excited to get stuck in," he said,
Alongside the crews who fly the aircraft are those responsible for operating every other aspect of it - from its weapons systems to its radar.
Lieutenant Tom Strophair is one of those who passed out as an observer, admitting the course had been long and challenging.
"It's a long course and it covers everything that Wildcat can do to get us to the standard to deploy at the end of it," he said.
He also said celebrating the day with his family and friends had made him "hugely proud".
"It's been the end of five-and-a-half years for me, and to have them come and celebrate with me is fantastic.
"It's been a long and challenging course, so to celebrate this today marks the moment where I can finally go out and... do the job.
"I'm straight away out the door, going to one of the destroyers for force generation ahead of an exercise.
"So straight away, cutting my teeth for the year ahead."
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