65 YEARS ON AND 750 NAS IS STILL PRODUCING THE GOODS

Two graduates from 750 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have taken a big step towards gaining their ‘Wings’ at a recent award ceremony.

Lieutenant Jason Butler and Sub Lieutenant Anna Coveney, are the latest in a long line of aircrew to successfully complete training at 750 NAS. Re-established in 1952, the squadron has been training Observers continuously over the past 65 years. Over this time they have operated from far flung airfields such as Malta, and operated a host of aircraft from the Sea Prince to the Jetstream.

Nowadays, the students spend their time training on the King Air 350ER ‘Avenger’ aircraft, learning its systems and sensors and how to operate in all weathers and environments. Over the past 16 weeks they have learnt to use state of the art equipment in order to prepare them for their future operating frontline aircraft.

Lieutenant Jason Butler has been selected to undertake further training at 824 NAS in order to work towards his ‘Wings’, and will qualify, as a Merlin Mk2 Observer. He will then operate this aircraft in a host of roles from protecting the nuclear strategic deterrent, to Anti-Submarine operations in support of the new aircraft carrier. Sub Lieutenant Coveney has been streamed for the Wildcat, and once she has completed training she will deploy in this capable anti surface helicopter operating from small ships around the world.

On hand to present the course awards and certificates was Captain Dan Stembridge. Lieutenant Butler was awarded the Sir Douglas Evill trophy for best overall grades while under training with the UK Military Flying Training System. Sub Lieutenant Coveney was awarded the Daedalus Trophy for overall best performance.

As 750 NAS looks to the future it continues to train Observers, as it has done for many years, but more recently it has begun training both aircrewmen of the Fleet Air Arm and Sensor Operators of the RAF. This bright future looks to continue while operating the capable ‘Avenger’ from RNAS Culdrose.