FLEET COMMANDER DROPS IN ON RNAS CULDROSE
The Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff - Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB paid special a visit to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose to meet personnel from across the Base.
Vice Admiral Jones is the second most senior officer in the Royal Navy and is responsible for providing ships, submarines and aircraft ready for any operations. On his two day visit around the Fleet Air Arm’s Cornish Air Station he was given briefs by the Commanding Officer RNAS Culdrose, Captain Ade Orchard OBE on operations and tasks that personnel are currently involved with. He was also briefed on Merlin Mk 2, Sea King Airborne Surveillance, Aircrew training on 750 NAS, 736 NAS Hawks, 700X NAS - ScanEagle (Unmanned Air Systems) as well as the on-going planning for the Dummy Deck and the training of Aircraft Handlers in preparation for the service with the Queen Elizabeth Carriers.
During a break in his busy schedule he took time to present Long Service & Good Conduct (LS&GC) Medals and Clasps to five sailors, who between them had amassed over 107 years naval service in qualifying for their awards.
The Fleet Commander said how enjoyable it was to hear every individual’s career history before presenting their medals, “Each of these citations captures the length, breadth and variety of their service in the Royal Navy and they represent the beating heart of the Fleet Air Arm, an extraordinary contribution.”
Vice Admiral Jones finished off his visit with an address to a gathering of most of the personnel who work at RNAS Culdrose. During his address he thanked everyone for such a warm and informative visit and assured everyone of the future of Culdrose as a Core Defence Base.
His very last port-of-call was to 771 Naval Air Squadron, where he gave a personal thank you to the Search & Rescue Unit and its personnel for their sterling service over the past 40 years in safeguarding the South West of Britain.