Flight deck legend Doo honoured with chill-out area in his memory

Crew ensuring the safe operation of jets and helicopters from all the Navy’s flight decks now relax in a lounge dedicated to one of the legends of their branch.

In a career spanning five decades, Warrant Officer Julian ‘Doo’ Facer ensured Harriers, Sea Kings, Merlins, Wessex and Lynx lifted off, landed and were safely marshalled on more than half a dozen major warships and auxiliaries.

Originally from Headingley in Leeds, Doo joined the RN as an aircraft handler in 1978. Over the next 34 years he served at Culdrose, Yeovilton and Portland air stations, in the Falklands, and aboard assault ship HMS Intrepid, all three Invincible-class Harrier carriers, aviation training ship RFA Argus and helicopter carrier HMS Ocean. He passed away in 2019 aged just 57.

His memory lives on courtesy of Doo’s Lounge – where his contemporaries and successors take a break from practising and training fellow handlers in the art of safe flight deck operations (courtesy of a mock flight deck and flightless Harriers), firefighting and other possible emergencies.

The revamped rest area – refurbished with money from the Rebalancing Lives Fund, Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and RNAS Culdrose Welfare Fund - was officially opened at the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations while his family watched from home in Penzance via a live link.

The school’s commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Scott Harding said Doo Facer was sadly missed by all.

“His huge character, passion and pride in the Royal Navy and the Aircraft Handlers’ Branch have been an inspiration to many – he was a true professional, a loyal oppo and friend, a loving husband and a devoted father.

“Those who served with Doo have named this room in his memory. It was done in the knowledge that many will enjoy this space in the presence of good company.

“Doo’s Lounge was a project to enhance our people’s wellbeing and to show willingness to invest in them. To all those who have contributed, they have again made our lives better and we thank them.”