HMS HERON THE VICTORIOUS WINNERS OF THE PRESTIGIOUS FIELD GUN TROPHY
VICTORY for the HMS Heron Field Gun Crew from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton this year in a dramatic finale at HMS Collingwood’s annual open day in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Field Gun Competition.
In a tense and thrilling finale to this fast and furious competition, 22 Field Gun crews from across theUKandGibraltarvied for the coveted Brickwoods trophy. HMS Heron’s crew of 18 made it through to the final after 7 gruelling heats, before competing and winning in the final on Sat 6 June 2015.
During qualifying HMS Herons crew broke the record during the timed runs with a time of 1.17.69 and went on to cross the line first, regaining the trophy that they last won in 2013.
The competition is a showpiece event at HMS Collingwood’s annual open day. Facing stiff competition in the final the men of HMS Heron with sheer grit and determination emerged victorious.
HMS Heron’s Field Gun Officer Lt Graham Blick said;
"HMS Heron's crew has demonstrated superior commitment, coverage, discipline, determination, stamina and, above all teamwork. These are the exact qualities, spirit and "Fighting Ethos" required of our people [Armed Forces] serving all over the world.
None of this would have been possible without the support of our Command and Sponsors BMT Isis, Lockheed Martin, SERCO and Thales.”
Mr Mike Prince, the Managing Director of Safety, Risk and Environmental consultancy BMT Isis said:
“May I pass on our heartiest congratulations to all involved in HERON’s Field Gun team this year, it was fantastic to see them raise not just the coveted Brickwoods Trophy on Saturday but also the Fastest Time Cup and the Aggregate Time Cup, together with being the first team in history to set a sub-1 min 18 seconds time.
It was clear to us all that Lieutenant Blick and his crew had done a fantastic job in
honing the team to their peak just in time for the competition and we were proud to have been involved with the team in a small way.”
Lt Blick added;
“HMS HERON has a rich pedigree in the Field Gun Competition winning in 2000, 2002, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Graham added, "It’s fabulous to be crowned Field Gun Champions, but the icing on the cake has to be the title of The Fastest Crew ever."