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RNAS Culdrose

RNAS Culdrose

Home to the Royal Navy’s Merlins plus a sizable proportion of its Sea Kings, Culdrose – just outside Helston on the Lizard Peninsula – is the largest helicopter base in Europe with some 75 aircraft and 3,000 personnel. It is the biggest single-site employer in Cornwall, pumping £100m into the local economy every year.

COMMANDING OFFICER

Willie Entwisle

Willie Entwisle
RANK:
Captain
JOINED:
1984
SPECIALISATION:
Pilot
PREVIOUS UNITS:
815 NAS, PJHQ
Military experience

Willie Entwisle joined the Royal Navy in 1984 on a university cadetship. After reading politics at university and fleet training in Hong Kong and in HMS Edinburgh he served as a bridge watch keeping officer and diving officer in the frigate HMS Arrow.

Following basic helicopter flying training at RNAS Culdrose he then qualified as a Commando Sea King pilot, completing operational flying tours including Bosnia in the early 1990s. Converting to Lynx helicopters in 1995 he served as Flight Commander in the frigate HMS Campbeltown before completing the first Joint Staff Course in 1997.

Returning to the Lynx as Senior Pilot of 815 Naval Air Squadron, he then spent 3 years as Equerry to HRH The Prince of Wales.

Following promotion to Commander in 2002 he was appointed to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood.

A third tour with 815 Naval Air Squadron followed, as Commanding Officer, before two years in the Ministry of Defence as Naval Assistant to First Sea Lord.

Promoted to Captain in 2008, he then served at the Permanent Joint Headquarters again, before completing the Higher Command and Staff Course at Shrivenham in 2011.

His last short appointment before taking Command of RNAS Culdrose was in Navy Command HQ in Portsmouth, within the Aviation Division.


LATEST NEWS

 

TOP STORIES

771-Olympic flame
Culdrose fliers light the Olympic torch after historic mission to Land’s End
19 May 2012

Naval fliers of 771 Naval Air Squadron today lit the...

Flypast
Naval fliers perfect formation for Diamond Jubilee flypast
18 May 2012

Royal Navy helicopter crews have been practising alongside their Army...

Pirates’ fiery end as Westminster blasts their boats out of the water
Pirates’ Fiery End as Westminster Blasts Their Boats Out of the Water
16 May 2012

HMS Westminster smashed the actions of three pirate groups in...

Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge
Alex and Top Gunnell Help Culdrose's Top Guns Prepare for Olympic Flame's Arrival
16 May 2012

Gold medallist Sally Gunnell and TV presenter Alex Jones were...

View all Culdrose's News

TAKE A LOOK

Image Gallery

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      Merlin marks ten years on the front line

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      Merlin marks ten years on the front line

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      Merlin marks ten years on the front line

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      Merlin marks ten years on the front line

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      David Templeman-Adams – Current Chairman of the Cordon Rouge Club, Dee Caffari – Round the world yachtswoman, Polly Murray – Adventurer and TV presenter, Ed Stafford – Adventurer who walked the Amazon, Neil Loughton – Everest mountaineer, Rune Gjeldnes – Polar adventurer

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      David Templeman-Adams

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      Royal Navy officers who completed their Operational Flying Training have been presented with a Foundation Degree in Military Aviation Studies from The Open University

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      Royal Navy officers who completed their Operational Flying Training have been presented with a Foundation Degree in Military Aviation Studies from The Open University

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      Royal Navy officers who completed their Operational Flying Training have been presented with a Foundation Degree in Military Aviation Studies from The Open University

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      Royal Navy officers who completed their Operational Flying Training have been presented with a Foundation Degree in Military Aviation Studies from The Open University

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      Royal Navy officers who completed their Operational Flying Training have been presented with a Foundation Degree in Military Aviation Studies from The Open University

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      Robbie Wilson at RNAS Culdrose

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      On the Slippery Slope at Culdrose

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      On the Slippery Slope at Culdrose

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      On the Slippery Slope at Culdrose

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      The official handover of the new hanger

      Representatives from the architects, builders, RN and Defence Estates join Lt Cdr Chris Trubshaw and Mr Simon Gibb, the Debut Area Project Manager at the official handover

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      Two of 849 Squadron’s ASaC helicopters

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      Busy period for Culdrose Search and Rescue Squadron

      771 Naval Air Squadron take three divers quickly to Derriford hospital for treatment

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      Busy period for Culdrose Search and Rescue Squadron

      771 Naval Air Squadron take three divers quickly to Derriford hospital for treatment

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      Busy period for Culdrose Search and Rescue Squadron

      771 Naval Air Squadron take three divers quickly to Derriford hospital for treatment

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      Busy period for Culdrose Search and Rescue Squadron

      771 Naval Air Squadron take three divers quickly to Derriford hospital for treatment

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      Busy period for Culdrose Search and Rescue Squadron

      771 Naval Air Squadron take three divers quickly to Derriford hospital for treatment

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Culdrose gives the One Show an Olympic Challenge

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      Olympic flame arrives at RNAS Culdrose

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      All hail the new King of the air at Culdrose

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      All hail the new King of the air at Culdrose

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      All hail the new King of the air at Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      MASF Crest

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS CULDROSE MARKS REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

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      RNAS Culdrose Commanding Officer

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      Air Station Commander

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose

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      RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2011

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      RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2011

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      RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2011

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      RNAS Culdrose Air Day 2011

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