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Reservist honoured at Fleet Air Arm Awards
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3 November 2025
A member of the Royal Navy Reserve Air Branch was among those recognised at the Fleet Air Arm Awards.
The event was held at the Palace of Westminster in London and hosted by Rear Admiral Anthony Rimington, Director Force Generation and Rear Admiral of the Fleet Air Arm, with Honorary Captain Keith Knowles and the Rt Hon Mike Wood MP. The annual awards recognise the outstanding achievements of personnel within the Fleet Air Arm.
Lieutenant Gary “Wutang” Clark of the Royal Navy Reserve Air Branch has been awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Sword at this year’s Fleet Air Arm Awards.
The Sword is presented annually to the individual who has made the most significant contribution to carrier-based air power, and Gary’s impact has been nothing short of exceptional. His work refining embarked procedures between the Lightning Force and the Royal Navy’s flagship carriers has directly strengthened our operational capability at sea.
Gary said: “It was a great honour to help develop the embarked procedure between the Lightning Force and QEC carriers”
It was a great honour to help develop the embarked procedure between the Lightning Force and QEC carriers
“As a naval aviator, it was my dream to embark on a Royal Navy carrier as part of a fixed wing squadron, and to now be recognised with such an award is an enormous privilege.”
Gary’s journey spans Regular and Reserve service, including five and a half years flying the F-35B Lightning with 617 Squadron, where he served as a Flight Lead and Front Line Instructor Pilot. Selected early as a “Creamie”, one of the best from his cohort, he became a Qualified Flying Instructor straight from training.
As Command Landing Signals Officer (LSO), Gary oversaw all carrier qualifications and embarked procedures for the Lightning Force, ensuring safe and effective fast jet operations at sea. His final year as a Regular saw him take on the role of Demonstration Pilot, showcasing Lightning Force capabilities across the UK and beyond.
Now part of the RNR (Air Branch) in HMS Pegasus, Gary continues to serve with distinction.