Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Destroyer HMS Diamond came under repeated and sustained attacks from the Iran-backed rebels as they sought to stop shipping in the Red Sea by hurling missiles and drones at passing vessels.
The Portsmouth-based warship downed nine drones and a missile during a six-month mission, working with allies to ensure the vital waterway – which carries one tenth of the world’s trade.
Throughout that mission, the Wildcat helicopter – from 815 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset – played a vital role in keeping both Diamond and other vessels safe.
None more so than on the night of January 8 when the Houthis launched their most complex and coordinated attack to date – dubbed the ‘Battle of the Promised Conquest’ – initially targeting merchant vessels near HMS Diamond with aerial and water-borne drones, as well as missile strikes.
After repelling the initial wave, Diamond fended off subsequent attacks, neutralising seven of 16 drones.
It was at this point – with hazardous hydrogen chloride gas swirling around the destroyer from the successive Sea Viper missile launches to intercept the drones – and against the backdrop of further Houthi attacks that pilot Lieutenant George Lunn led the Wildcat into action.
The helicopter was put in harm’s way, prepared to intercept further drones while also confirming that the surface drones which had vanished from the destroyer’s radar screens had actually sunk.
The aircrew’s actions that night in January were described as “the finest feat of aviation” over the past 12 months and earned Lt Lunn – who’s been promoted to lieutenant commander since the deployment ended – the Fleet Air Arm Sword as the Service held its annual awards at the Houses of Parliament.
The team he led – observer (navigator/weapons specialist), aircrewman and engineers and technicians maintaining the Wildcat, collectively known as Vengeance 4 Flight – were similarly praised by the heads of the service for their “exemplary teamwork, efficiency and courage operating in the face of the enemy”, earning the Sopwith Pup Trophy for achieving the highest level of operational capability.
The flight’s impact and lessons from the operation in the Red Sea did not stop there.
With the Royal Navy’s principal air defence system Sea Viper costing more than £1m per missile, the fliers and HMS Diamond’s warfare team looked for a cheaper – but equally effective – alternative to counter the drone threat.
They looked to the Fleet Air Arm’s new Martlet missiles – designed to take out fast attack craft and small boats – to deal with incoming uncrewed aerial systems as well.
The tactics they developed were proven earlier this month with the first successful destruction of a drone using Martlet on a range in Wales, enhancing the Fleet’s defences against uncrewed aerial vehicles.
Lt Lunn was recognised with the Sandison Trophy for developing weapons/tactics.
Some 17 awards, trophies and commendations were presented, spanning all aspects of operations/day-to-day business and life in the Fleet Air Arm in the presence of Veterans’ Minister Alistair Carns and senior naval aviators, led by the head of the branch Rear Admiral Anthony Rimmington.
Merlin helicopter engineer Warrant Officer 2 Leon Cole was named the ‘sailor of the year’ for his compassionate leadership and tireless efforts to improve life on 814 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, from providing mental health support to reorganising shifts which led to colleagues being less tired, more efficient and enjoying a better work/life balance.
And Lieutenant Marc Jones received the Dunning Cup – in memory of the first person to land an aircraft at sea – for pushing the boundaries of the Navy’s dedicated drone squadron, 700X NAS, based at Culdrose, notably work with carrier HMS Prince of Wales to launch and recover larger fixed-wing crewless aircraft.
The full list of winners is:
JAC Commendation: POACMN Luke Phillips (847 NAS) and POAET Gary Holmes (845 NAS)
RAFAA Commendation: Lt Cdr M Santrian (Commando Helicopter Force)
Kelly Memorial Prize: Lt D Chowdhury (207 Sqn)
Henry Leigh Carslake Cup: Lt Cdr Houghton-Barnes (846 NAS)
Breitling Trophy: 824 NAS
Dunning Cup: Lt M Jones (700X NAS)
Dunsfold Plate: LH P England (820 NAS)
Fulmar Trophy: Lt M Bamber (Plymouth)
Cobham Trophy: Lt Cdr R Hunt (207 Sqn)
Australia Shield: 815 NAS
Queen Elizabeth Sword: Lt Cdr L Nesbit US Navy (UK Carrier Strike Group)
Sopwith Pup Trophy: Vengeance 4 flight (815 NAS)
Rolls Royce Efficiency Trophy: 820 NAS
FAA Sword and Robert Sandison Trophy: Lt G Lunn (815 NAS)
Commodore’s Cup: LAC J Moss-Straw (Surface Flotilla)
Oardacious Award: WO2 L Cole (814 NAS)
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.