Reservist supports HMS Westminster’s regeneration

A Royal Navy reservist attached to King Alfred in Portsmouth has spent a month supporting the regeneration of HMS Westminster.

Having left the Royal Navy and transferring to the RNR under Project Firefly, CPO Stuart ‘Goody’ Goodson set aside his civvies and once more donned his uniform for the period which saw him working alongside current ship’s staff assisting in the regeneration of the Weapon Engineering department post Upkeep.

His background as a ‘Gun Buster’ lent itself perfectly to helping out with the test and trials of the 4.5 Medium Range Gun and preparations for the commissioning of magazines. 

CPO Goodson said “I have really enjoyed getting back into overalls and assisting where I could with Westminster’s regeneration.

“I wish the Ship’s Company all the best for the future as they emerge from Upkeep.”

Westminster is currently coming towards the end of an Upkeep period that has seen her fitted with a number of Weapon upgrades including a new Combat System, Artisan Radar 997 and Sea Ceptor, the Royal Navy’s newest missile system.

She is due to return to the fleet following a trials period in the early part of next year.

Project Firefly is an NPT(Reserves) led initiative and an important work strand in supporting the manning requirements laid down in the Future Reserve Forces 2020.

It aims to provide a seamless transfer for regular serving personnel to the reserves.

Find out more about Project Firefly at http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/skills-and-specialisations/project-firefly