Longest serving Navy squadron celebrates 60th year

A Culdrose based Squadron is celebrating its 60th year of continual service since reforming in 1952, making it the longest continuously serving Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm.

750 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air station Culdrose, trains the Navy’s Observers – airborne war fighters who must pass the gruelling 16 weeks of constant assessment they spend on the Squadron. One of the most difficult courses in the UK military, Observer training is now conducted by Ascent Flight Training Ltd, with guidance from the Navy’s experienced Observer Instructors and has recently commenced training on the new ‘Avenger’ Aircraft. The first course as part of the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) completes in December this year, after which the students will begin training on the front-line Lynx, Merlin or Sea King helicopters.

Marking 60 years of continual service of 750 Squadron, Babcock International General Manager Paul Bates presented the Squadron Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Chris Barber with a commemorative 750 Squadron Perry Buoy – a traditional naval symbol bearing the Squadron’s motto ‘Teach and Strike’. Lieutenant Commander Barber said: “It’s a great honour to command such a long serving Squadron and it is fitting that it operates the Royal Navy’s newest aircraft. With the new ‘Avenger’ aircraft the Squadron has a bright future.”