Royal Navy wow thousands at Sunderland International Airshow

The Royal Navy helped to make the 28th Sunderland International Airshow a thrilling event for thousands of people.

One of the fleet’s crown jewels HMS Bulwark staged spectacular demonstrations of the ship’s amphibious capabilities with landings on Seaburn Beach.

Featuring Royal Marines from 45 Commando, Royal Marine Reserves Merseyside, Royal Marine Reserves Scotland (Tyne Detachment based at HMS Calliope) and Viking tracked vehicles transported by the ship’s landing craft, the displays comprised an assault against an ‘enemy’ held artillery position, defended by members of 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and soldiers from The Queens Own Yeomanry.

Also featured was Sandown-class mine-countermeasures vessel HMS Blyth, which recently disposed of a WW1 German torpedo off Sunderland, simulating mine clearance activities including a mock sea-mine detonation. 

The demonstrations proved a popular and exciting spectacle.

Captain James Parkin Commanding Officer of HMS Bulwark said: “We were privileged to play a part in the Sunderland International Airshow and enjoyed demonstrating the role of the ship to spectators.”

In addition, the military village in Recreation Park on Sunderland’s Seaburn seafront featured three Royal Navy helicopters for visitors to view - a Sea King, a Gazelle and a Lynx.

The Royal Navy’s Diving Team was also there with a diving tank and repeating last year’s success, the Royal Marines put on a weapons display.

Other displays included two Rigid Raider speed boats, the Survival Equipment Team including bomb disposal equipment and the Royal Marines Commando Recruiting Team, providing a demonstration of unarmed combat in the arena on both days.