Sultan Air Engineering School form up for Lynx final farewell

A total of 440 staff and students from the Royal Naval Air Engineering & Survival Equipment School (RNAESS), based at HMS Sultan, formed on the parade ground recently to spell out the word ‘Farewell’ to the RN’s Lynx helicopter fleet.

The flypast by HMS Sultan of four Lynx Mk8 aircraft was arranged as part of a five-hour flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton as they travelled across Southern England to mark the retirement of the Lynx, after 41 years distinctive service around the globe.

The RNAESS, which is part of the Defence College of Technical Training, is home to 764 and 760 NAS as well as academic and technical training facilities.

RNAESS conducts all Officer and Rating Air Engineering and Survival Equipment initial and through career technical training, with many of those passing through HMS Sultan having joined the Lynx Force in the past.

Officer Commanding RNAESS, Commander Mark Selway said, “This is an important day for everyone within the Fleet Air Arm, so we were delighted that the RNAESS was able to contribute to such a poignant event. 

Commander Selway continued, “the Flypast marks the end of an era and so many of our staff will have fond memories of making their own personal contributions towards the success of the Lynx Force.”

“It’s an especially exciting time for all of our young Air Engineer Officers and Technicians; they are the next generation who will work with the Lynx’s replacement, the Wildcat, throughout their careers.”

A formal decommissioning ceremony will follow at 815 Naval Air Squadron RNAS Yeovilton on 23 March 2017 before 815 completes conversion into a Wildcat squadron, providing the Lynx’s successor for destroyers and frigates.