RNAS Yeovilton
RNAS Yeovilton – also known as HMS Heron – is one of the Navy’s two principal air bases, and one of the busiest military airfields in the UK. It is home to more than 100 aircraft operated both front-line squadrons and training units including all Fleet Air Arm Lynx and the Commando Helicopter Force, plus legendary vintage aircraft of the RN Historic Flight. The base is located near Yeovil in Somerset and covers around 1,400 acres with the main airfield in Yeovilton itself and the satellite at Ilton (Merryfield). Some 4,300 personnel, Service and civilian, including MoD employees and permanent contractors are employed on the site. In addition to the squadrons, the air station is home to the Navy’s Fighter Controller School, the School of Aircraft Control, and the Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer. In addition, the air station also hosts a large support staff from the MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, and the world famous Fleet Air Arm Museum.
COMMANDING OFFICER
Paul Chivers OBE
- RANK:
- Commodore
- JOINED:
- 1981
- SPECIALISATION:
- Warfare
- PREVIOUS UNITS:
- HMS Lancaster, PJHQ
Military experience
Commodore Paul Chivers was born in Bristol and educated at Wellington School in Somerset. He joined Britannia Royal Naval College in 1981 and conducted his Fleet training onboard HMS Coventry, which included her loss during the Falklands conflict. This was followed by watch-keeping appointments in HMS Cleopatra, HMS Sentinel and as the navigator of the River Class (MSF) trials team.
Appointed to flying training in 1986 and qualifying on Lynx helicopters, he completed 2 front line tours in the South Atlantic on board HMS Amazon and HMS Newcastle prior to converting to the Lynx Mk 8 and returning to HMS Amazon as the Flight Commander.
After a period on the Mk 8 OEU he qualified as a Principal Warfare Officer and served in HMS Southampton during deployments to the Adriatic and West Indies and HMS Illustrious for a round-the-world deployment.
Appointed to HMS Liverpool as the Executive Officer in 1997 he was involved in the disaster relief of Montserrat in the West Indies before attending the Advanced Command and Staff College where he gained a Masters Degree (King’s College London) in Defence Studies.
Promoted to Commander in 2000 and appointed to PJHQ as the maritime aviation adviser, he became the J3 Team Leader for UK operations in Sierra Leone and the UK contribution to Coalition operations within Afghanistan.
Selected for Sea Command in May 2002, he commanded HMS Lancaster with her embarked Merlin for 18 months before returning to dry land as a desk officer within the Naval Staff Directorate.
Selected for Captain in 2006, he was briefly the Assistant Director for Naval Strategy before returning to PJHQ as DACOS Joint Warfare Development.
This was followed by a short appointment in Navy Command as DACOS Above Water before assuming the position as the Chief of Staff to the Commander UK Maritime Forces.
Initially employed within Operation Atlanta (the EU operation to counter piracy off the coast of Somalia) he also supported NATO and coalition operations off Libya.
Selected for Commodore he assumed command of RNAS Yeovilton in May 2011.
Commodore Chivers is married with 2 children; a daughter aged 20 and a son aged 18. His principal interests are watching rugby, sailing and maintaining his yacht.
LATEST NEWS
TOP STORIES
Naval fliers perfect formation for Diamond Jubilee flypast
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16 May 2012The Navy’s No.1 helicopter display team, the Black Cats, are...
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15 May 2012After four years of spending most of their time over...
Yeovilton Helicopters Complete Tors of Duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton Events
26 May
Black Cats Helicopter Display Team
Southend-on-Sea, Essex 26 May 2012SOUTHEND AIR FESTIVAL
TAKE A LOOK
Image Gallery
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RNAS Yeovilton
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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Yeovilton helicopters complete tors of duty over Dartmoor
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TOP INDUSTRY LEADERS IMPRESSED BY YEOVILTON CONFERENCE
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TOP INDUSTRY LEADERS IMPRESSED BY YEOVILTON CONFERENCE
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TOP INDUSTRY LEADERS IMPRESSED BY YEOVILTON CONFERENCE
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TOP INDUSTRY LEADERS IMPRESSED BY YEOVILTON CONFERENCE
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John Scott, Gus and Sandy Scott
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E2E Bikers and Lynx mk 8
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John Scott, Gus and Sandy Scott
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Falklands Memorial Gym
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Falklands Memorial Gym
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Falklands Memorial Gym
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Heron snatch Navy Cup final victory from Royals
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Heron captain Stuart Isaksen side-steps a 40 Cdo defender.
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Heron snatch Navy Cup final victory from Royals
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Tom Ardley and Del Delahaye jump for the ball against four Royal Marines.
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Heron snatch Navy Cup final victory from Royals
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The HMS Heron team with Navy Cup
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Yeovilton Police Sergeant retires after 42 years
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Sergeant Adrian Rookes hands his Warrant card to Sergeant Mark Yates at RNAS Yeovilton
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727 Naval Air Squadron Grob 115E Tutor aircraft
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Sub Lieutenant Adam Vines being congratulated by Sue Pitcher and Family
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Members of the AFPS on the steps of a Sea King helicopter with personnel from CHF
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Lt Cdr Philip Richardson, Senior pilot 815 NAS briefing Matthew Offord MP for Hendon
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Falklands Memorial Avenue at Yeovilton refreshed
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Falklands Memorial Avenue at Yeovilton refreshed
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The bronze statue at Exeter Airport
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Memorial to WWII aviators at Exeter Airport
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Representing the Fleet Air Arm, Lt Jerry Tribe RNR
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Sport Relief
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Sport Relief
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Sport Relief
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Sport Relief
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Sport Relief
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Hunter
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Hunter
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Hunter
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Hunter
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Hunter
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Terry Tyack RN
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Terry Tyack RN
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Terry Tyack RN
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Commander Neil Thompson OBE RN, Commander Air at RNAS Yeovilton
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Mr Michael Benson, GASCO’s South west representative
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Mr Michael Benson, GASCO’s South west representative
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Adventurers follow in the footsteps of Shackleton a century on
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The Alexandra Shackleton alongside the pontoon.
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Adventurers follow in the footsteps of Shackleton a century on
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The original Shackleton
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Adventurers follow in the footsteps of Shackleton a century on
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The Alexandra Shackleton alongside the pontoon.
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Adventurers follow in the footsteps of Shackleton a century on
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WO2 Barry Gray RM the Mountain Leader, Mr. Tim Jarvis the Expedition Leader and PO Seb Coulthard RN FRGS toast the Alexandra Shackleton.
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Adventurers follow in the footsteps of Shackleton a century on
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The Honourable Alexandra Shackleton with the boat named in her honour.
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Commander Neil Thompson OBE RN, Commander Air at RNAS Yeovilton
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Mr Michael Benson, GASCO’s South west representative
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Mr Michael Benson, GASCO’s South west representative
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Cub Scouts from the Holy Trinity pack in Yeovil visit the Air Station
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Peggy Caren, tailoress at RNAS Yeovilton
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Peggy & Chief Petty Officer Kevin Twells
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Peggy and Admiral Zambellas cutting the cake
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Admiral Zambellas presenting Peggy the Decanter
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Admiral Zambellas & Peggy measuring up
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Admiral Zambellas & Peggy measuring up
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Admiral Zambellas presenting Peggy the decanter
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Yeovilton personnel give 'Big Cig' a shove
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Yeovilton personnel give 'Big Cig' a shove
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AET Davies receives his Commendation for Distinguished Service from Cdre Paul Chivers at Yeovilton
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Home of the Lynx helicopter turned into a glitzy nightclub
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Sea Cadet Association Evening 2011
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Sea Cadet Association Evening 2011
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Cdre Paul Chivers OBE RN, CO RNAS Yeovilton, Kim Hendrick, Willie’s step-daughter and Richard Heathcote, Willie’s son, plant the oak tree
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The tree and plaque at RNAS Yeovilton
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The tree and plaque at RNAS Yeovilton
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RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY
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RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY
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RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY
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RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY
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RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY
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RNAS YEOVILTON AIR DAY
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A MARATHON CENTURY AND STILL GOING STRONG
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A MARATHON CENTURY AND STILL GOING STRONG
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A MARATHON CENTURY AND STILL GOING STRONG
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A MARATHON CENTURY AND STILL GOING STRONG
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Lt Mark Green is presented with his ACSM by Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham, Chief of Staff (Aviation and Carriers) and Rear Admiral Fleet Air Arm
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Lt Mark Green is presented with his ACSM by Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham, Chief of Staff (Aviation and Carriers)
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Remembrance ceremonies at RNAS Yeovilton
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RNAS Yeovilton Service personnel march across the airfield to the FAA Memorial Church
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The Swordfish from the RNHF flying over the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church
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Wreath in the churchyard
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The Archbishop of Canterbury talks to members of 845 NAS
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Lifeboat ‘Alexander Shackleton’ awaiting further fittings in preparation for her epic voyage.
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PO Seb Coulthard in South Georgia in 2009.
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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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The ATC garden rescue team from RNAS Yeovilton
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Cdre Chivers OBE
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Rafale confirmed for Yeovilton Air day
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Rafale confirmed for Yeovilton Air day
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Rafale confirmed for Yeovilton Air day
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Vulcan
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Vulcan
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Vulcan
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RNHF Swordfish
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Skyraider
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Tornado GR4
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Saudi Hawks
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SWIP Team
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Mustang
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Vulcan
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Sea Vixen
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Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Hawk
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Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Fury
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Royal Jordanian Falcons
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Commando Assault Yeovilton Air Day
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battle of Britian Memorial Flight
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Black Cats Dispaly Team 702 naval Air Squadron
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Jungle Assault Yeovilton Air Day
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Yeovilton Air Day Crowds
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Red Arrows Display Team
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Underwater Escape Trainer
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Historic Flight
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Historic Flight
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Historic Flight
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Historic Flight
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Historic Flight
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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yeovil Airday 2012
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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RNAS Yeovilton Air Day 2011
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