An aviator from RNAS Culdrose recently returned from New Zealand with a haul of medals following success in swimming at the World Masters Games.
Petty Officer Aircrewman Liam Armstrong from 820 Naval Air Squadron was a member of the Royal Navy Team that was competing as part of the Great Britain squad.
The World Masters Games is the biggest sporting event in the world with 28,000 competitors.
It takes place every 4 years and like the Olympic Games, is a multi-event competition. There are age limits for the games, with all swimmers being over 30 years of age.
Liam is a great swimmer coming home 8 medals, one gold 5 silver and 2 bronze.
His gold came in the 5km open water swim which took place in Auckland Harbour. The other medals were won in the pool, including relays, and individual races ranging from 100m to 800m.
To reach this standard, Liam trains hard. He is a member of Carn Brea and Helston Swimming Club where he trains for 20 hours per week.
Liam is also part of the Royal Navy Swimming Team and is looking forward to the Inter Services Championships that is due to take place on 7th July at Aldershot.
At last year’s championships Liam returned with two gold medals and was part of the men’s winning team.
While in New Zealand, Liam met other military personnel from all over the world including fellow aircrew.
Some of the other service personnel had operated in parts of the world where Britain has an interest and he hopes that their paths may cross again.
In his day job, Liam is a Petty Officer Aircrewman and works as part of the team in the Merlin Mark Two Helicopter.
His primary role is as an Anti-Submarine specialist, locating submarines. He will also perform number of secondary roles including Search and Rescue and operating the winch for load carrying.
820 NAS of RNAS Culdrose is one of the front line Merlin helicopter squadrons. They train at Culdrose, but can deploy anywhere in the world, defending Britain’s interests while embarked on ships of the Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Fitness is key to work in the Royal Navy and Liam is always keen to get others interested in swimming.
