Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton Air Day 2011 Scoops Award

Although the show put on an exceptional display in the air the visitor experience on the ground was also scrutinised for the awards. 

Commodore Paul Chivers OBE, Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton said:

“This is an outstanding achievement for the air station community and our commercial partners, AHA Events Ltd.  Despite being extremely busy delivering the high demands of our operational commitments worldwide I am very proud of my team in putting on a top class event on the ground and in the air.” 

Air Day 2011 celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Lynx helicopter which has developed an enviable reputation over decades of service as the best small ship’s helicopter in the world and is used by the Royal Navy and many foreign navies.  The show attracted exceptionally rare displays to the UK by the Polish Air Force MiG-29, French

Navy Rafale and Super Etendard, and Royal Netherlands Air Force Apache.  It also featured a rare fly-past by the world’s only airworthy Sea Vixen and Vulcan Bomber – a formation of British built classic jets may never be seen again.

Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton is one of the busiest military airfields in the United Kingdom and is amongst the largest in Europe, normally housing eight squadrons and around 100 aircraft of varying types. It is also the biggest aviation establishment in the Royal Navy, employing over 4,000 service personnel and civilians to operate and support squadrons, and to provide the many facilities required to run an Air Station.

Looking forward, the future of RNAS Yeovilton looks positive with the commissioning of 700W, the Lynx Wildcat Squadron which will provide job stability for both service and civilian personnel from the air station and the wider community.

The Wildcat helicopter has been developed to fulfil the requirement for a ship-borne rapid reaction multi-role helicopter that is optimised for both maritime and battlefield environments.  It will replace the Lynx helicopters in both Commando and Lynx Helicopter forces, ensuring the Fleet Air Arm remains at the forefront of modern naval warfare.

Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) consists of 4 Naval Air Squadrons integrated under the command of an HQ. established to operate helicopters afloat and ashore in support of the UK armed forces, it is a combined Royal Navy and Royal Marine force that fly Sea King and Lynx helicopters. As a maritime force they operate from a variety of RN Ships and are the UK’s specialist amphibious assault experts.

The Lynx Helicopter Force comprises 702 NAS and 815 NAS and provides aircraft, crews and engineers to the front line, with up to 17 flights deployed on Naval ships worldwide.