First Class training as 825 NAS embark in RFA Argus

Naval Air Squadron is at the forefront of training tomorrows Fleet Air Arm.

825 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) Commanding Officer, Commander (Cdr) Simon Collins, bids farewell to the Squadron Operations Officer, Lieutenant(Lt)t Rob Kenchington as he prepares to embark the last of five 825 NAS Wildcat HMA Mk2 aircraft in RFA Argus.

This detachment of five aircraft and 90 personnel on 825 NAS is the largest activity undertaken by Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton and the Wildcat Maritime Force (WMF) annually, allowing staff instructor-aircrew the opportunity to put student aircrew through their paces and bring together what they have learned in a realistic maritime environment.

It also allows generation of valuable maritime experience for the Squadron maintainers as 825 NAS continues its mission to provide fully trained flight personnel to its sister Squadron 815 NAS for worldwide operations.

Cdr Simon Collins said; “This demonstrates our mission statement perfectly, to deliver first class training to aircrew and engineers whilst pioneering the generation and sustainment of front line Wildcat Flights for embarked operations worldwide."