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Newly qualified aircraft handlers join Fleet Air Arm Squadrons
25 July 2024
Sixteen newly-qualified aircraft handlers left RNAS Culdrose last month to join various Fleet Air Arm squadrons, naval fire stations and the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The assembled men and women have each completed their training at the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations, which includes how to operate flight decks and move aircraft, as well as firefighting and rescue skills.
Addressing the parade, the Lieutenant Commander Billy Benton said: “Congratulations. You’ve made it. I could not be prouder, standing in your company today.”
He said they had all met the exemplary standards demanded of the Royal Navy, adding: “Remember today. Remember everyone that’s helped to get you here, and continue to excel in all your endeavours.”
Special mention was made of visitor Nick Martin, aged 78, a retired chief petty officer aircraft handler and Falklands’ veteran, who has attended every such parade since 2016 as a representative of the Aircraft Handlers’ Association. He presented an award for special endeavour to Naval Airman Luff.
During the Falklands’ conflict, Mr Martin was firefighting on the burning ship Atlantic Conveyor, which had been hit by a missile. He was mentioned in dispatches for the way he cooly took charge of the flight deck, ensuring up to 20 men were airlifted to safety and waiting behind with one last man before they too boarded a Sea King helicopter.
Remember today. Remember everyone that’s helped to get you here, and continue to excel in all your endeavours.
Lieutenant Commander Benton said: “Nick Martin is absolutely the person you should be speaking to afterwards to hear his story. Just thinking about it sends the hairs on the back of my neck tingling. When you get that order - to abandon ship - most people would run away, but as qualified aircraft handlers, you now know what you have to do.”
Mr Martin was given a round of applause by all at the parade, including school instructors and staff.
After serving in the Royal Navy, Mr Martin spent 20 years as a civil servant at the school, passing on his knowledge and expertise to the next generation. He said after the parade: “This is a continuation of my work. I’ve never really left. I notice that the warrant officers now were all junior naval airmen back in the day.”
The newly-qualified aircraft handlers have now joined either HMS Queen Elizabeth, the fire stations at RNAS Culdrose or RNAS Yeovilton, 1700 Naval Air Squadron, or Wildcat Helicopter Force’s 847 or 815 Naval Air Squadrons.