750 NAS simulator manager reached career milestone
A civilian contractor working at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose is celebrating an impressive 25 years in charge of the Observer simulation training facility at 750 Naval Air Squadron.
Mr Peter Williams, who is currently employed by the simulation company CAE, started his career at the Navy’s Cornish Air Station in 1989 and has operated and managed the procedures trainer in its various incarnations since then. The most significant change in Peter’s tenure is the transition of Observer training under the new UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) of which 750 NAS forms an important part.
In 2011, the venerable Jetstream T2 aircraft was replaced by the King-Air 350ER ‘Avenger’ with upgraded systems and avionics. In conjunction with this, the associated procedural ground training infrastructure was also markedly changed, the facilitation of which was managed and effected by Peter.
For his long, dedicated service to RNAS Culdrose and a generation of Maritime Helicopter Observers trained during his time at 750 NAS, Peter has been awarded a Captain’s Award. The citation for which reads:
“Starting work at RNAS Culdrose in 1989, Mr Peter Williams has served as a civilian contractor in a number of different capacities and job titles at 750 Naval Air Squadron. During his 25 years service to date he has seen at least 8 different civilian contractor firms, 13 squadron Commanding Officers and countless students.
His responsibilities have been pre-dominantly concerned with the management and maintenance of flight simulators for ab-initio Royal Navy Observer training. The majority of his tenure with 750 NAS has been as manager of the Jetstream Radar Procedural Ground Trainer (RPGT) however more recently, he has overseen the transition to and implementation of the new Avenger Tactical Mission Trainer – Ground (TMT-G). Virtually a single point of failure due to the specialist nature of his knowledge, he is always prepared to go above and beyond the scope of his employment to provide the best service possible to instructors and students alike. In this manner, displaying great dedication, diligence and commitment, Mr Williams’ ensures training is maximised for the grateful students.
Mr. Williams’ continued efforts over such a prolonged period are deemed worthy of special mention. His personal commitment and devotion to his work have contributed directly to the training of a generation of Maritime Warfare Tactical specialists who have deployed skills learnt in his simulators on Operations all around the globe.
In recognition of his 25 years of dedicated service to help train Royal Navy Aircrew, Mr Williams merits a Captain’s Award.”
Lieutenant Commander Craig Whitson-Fay Commanding Officer 750 Naval Air Squadron, said of Mr Williams’ service: “I am delighted Mr Williams’ work has been recognised in this way; his years of dedicated service have directly contributed to the training of hundreds of Aircrew students over the years. Often the unsung hero of student ground training at 750 NAS, Mr Williams always delivers and can be rightly proud of receiving this award.”
The Avenger has an ultra modern training Mission System which allows the trainee Observer to use or emulate a variety of sensors used on Front-Line aircraft. The large twin touch screen displays are very similar to those in Merlin Mk 2 and Wildcat which ultimately affords the Observer student a much smoother transition between Basic Flying training on 750 NAS and whichever Front-Line aircraft they end up flying.