RNAS Yeovilton Hosts Fleet Air Arm Awards

The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) paraded at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton for one of the largest gatherings in recent years to see the presentation of awards and FAA trophies to some of its personnel.

Aviators, Airman and Air Engineers from across the Navy descended on the Somerset Air Station as Rear Admiral Russ Harding CBE, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability and Carriers – ACNS AACC) presented a number of FAA trophies and awards, including bravery awards and Operational Honours.

The dedicated ceremony was also Admiral Harding’s last duty as head of the FAA as he handed over the top job to Rear Admiral Keith Blount OBE

Amongst the top awards from Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton was:

Lt Graham (Hamish) Walker of 815 Naval Air Squadron received the QCVS (Queens’s commendation for Valuable Service).

Lt Walker was the only Lynx Helicopter Pilot from 815 Naval Air Squadron at Yeovilton embarked in HMS Daring following the destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan that struck the Philippines in Nov 2013.

Over a period of eight flying days, he was engaged in intensive, high pressure flying operations, conducting not only reconnaissance sorties in extreme temperatures covering 1400 Nautical Miles of coastline but also transporting 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid and the movement of 247 personnel.

Lt Walker said;

“It really is a team effort and in particular when it comes to Lynx operations we have a very small team on the back of a frigate or destroyer and the team of engineers pulled out all the stops to allow me to do the flying and they really share a part of this award.

We were the closest Royal Naval asset when Haiyan stuck at 5 days away. We steamed straight to the Philippines, picked up as much UK aid as we could and distributed it. We also identified the worst hit areas by flying down the path of Haiyan so the UN could build up a picture.

Without a doubt the most challenging and rewarding flying I’ve done as part of my career in the Royal Navy.”

Lt Commander (Cdr) Chris Götke received the Green Endorsement for his expertly executed emergency landing of the Sea Fury at Culdrose Air Day 2015.

Commanding Officer of the Royal Navy Historic Flight, Lt Cdr Götke Royal Navy displayed exemplary airmanship when the Fly Navy Heritage Trust historic Hawker Sea Fury T20 G-RNHF (VX281) lost power during a display manoeuvre at RNAS Culdrose Air Day on 31 July, forcing him to take swift action and carry out a dramatic emergency landing.

Lt Cdr Götke’s quick thinking and skilful handling of a complex and potentially highly dangerous situation averted disaster, not only putting the aircraft on the ground safely and avoiding injury to the 33,000 crowd – but undoubtedly saving the aircraft as well as himself.

The Sopwith Pup Trophy was awarded to 211 Flight from 815 NAS for an outstanding year in HMS Argyll delivering a broad range of capabilities which have been critical to the ship achieving a highly successful counter-narcotics deployment in the Caribbean. There were many engineering challenges to overcome including delivering humanitarian aid to the island of Bermuda post hurricane Gonzalo. This was alongside logistical support in conjunction with a clear determination to uphold the highest standards of flight safety and airmanship in a challenging operational environment.

As Rear Admiral Russ Harding handed over to Rear Admiral Blount he said of those in the Fleet Air Arm;

“First class people that get up every single day to deliver the most amazing things. I could not commend more the men and women of the Fleet Air Arm to you and the families as well as my own for their unstinting support, thank you all.”

Amongst awards from RNAS Culdrose was a QCB - (Queen’s Commendation for Bravery) for Lieutenant Commander Robin Suckling of Gannet SAR Flight, who had risked his life in the rescue of two stranded climbers in gusting 50 knot winds on Buachaille Etive Mor in Glencoe in Scotland.

The Award Ceremony was a chance to recognise the excellence the Fleet Air Arm achieves as it delivers a first class worldwide service.

Pictures: Crown Copyright 2015 / Royal Navy