First person to retire from HMS Pegasus after 39 years service

LA(AH) Andy Ransom is the first person to retire from HMS Pegasus at the end of his engagement, after 39 years combined service in the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve.

Andy joined the Royal Navy in 1983, serving 8 years as a regular, initially as a Radio Operator before transferring to the Aircraft Handler branch. This was followed by 3.5 years in the Royal Fleet Reserve before joining the RNR in 1995. Serving over 27 years in the RNR Air Branch and racking up a total 39 years naval service.

His final assignment as a reservist was at the Mobile Air Operations Team (MAOT) within the Commando Helicopter Force as a Defence Landing Point Commander. Andy said: ‘During my time in the RNR Air Branch I have been fortunate enough to work as an Aircraft Handler on the Fire Station at RNAS Yeovilton before moving to MAOT to work as a Defence Landing Point Commander, this draft has been “hoofing” as my Royal Marines colleagues would say.’

In addition to his work with the RNR Air Branch, he commenced assisting HMS Flying Fox’s Initial Naval Training Department with drill nights in November 2014. More recently, he assisted with phase zero and phase one trainees in basic naval training, such as tying bends and hitches, marks of respect, C2DRIL, drill, and parts of ship. Andy recently left HMS Flying Fox, after more than 7 years, where he received a Commanding Officers Commendation in 2020.

He has many highlights during his career, including being onboard HMS FEARLESS during the handover of Hong Kong, sailing on many Joint Service sailing expeditions around the world, being on Horse Guards Parade to celebrate the RNR Centennial ceremony and supporting Exercise Joint Warrior based in HMNB Clyde.

Andy said: ‘Ultimately for me the absolute highlight of not just my reservist career but my whole naval service of 39 years has been the people. I have met so many inspirational, courageous and outstanding people during my time. It has been an amazing privilege and experience being a proud member of the Aircraft Handler’s Branch, our branch motto “ Nostris in manibus tuti” which translates to “Safe in these hands’’ has been a motto I have taken forward with me for over 30 years working as a paramedic in the Ambulance Service.’

In his civilian life, Andy works a paramedic in the Ambulance service. He started working with the NHS in March 1992 and has completed over 30 years frontline ambulance duties, including qualifying as a Paramedic in December 1994 and 10 years as Helicopter Emergency Medical Services aircrew.

Andy is Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Shepton Mallet and was awarded the RBL National Chairman’s award in 2019 for services rendered. He continues to help raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.