Mini Commando Assault at Yeovilton Families Day
A mini Commando Helicopter Assault was the highlight of the day for over 1600 family members of personnel serving in the Commando Helicopter Force and Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force (LWMF) at RNAS Yeovilton.
The sailors and airmen from each of the Forces are regularly separated from their families for extended periods so the ‘Families’ Day’ was a way of thanking them for their unceasing support.
The lead officer for the event, Lt Ben Brazenall said,
“Families’ day is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation to all our loved ones for supporting us when we are deployed globally on Operations or Exercises.
"Seeing the smiles on so many faces was incredible and justified all the effort - and to cap it all the sun came out which added to everyone’s enjoyment.”
Attractions included a static display with aircraft ranging from the iconic Swordfish right up to the newest addition to the Fleet Air Arm, the green Merlin and Wildcat, an aerial display from a Lynx of the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team (The Black Cats), plus a spectacular parachute display from the Royal Navy Raiders Parachute Display Team.
This very popular annual event also enabled parents and children the rare opportunity of flying in a Sea King or Lynx helicopter and also enjoy a tasty barbeque courtesy of the RN chefs and stewards accompanied by entertainment from a live band drawn from RNAS Yeovilton personnel.
Among those attending was Lt Cdr Lee Kennington along with his wife and three children.
Lt Cdr Kennington, an Observer who has recently returned to the Lynx fraternity after a period flying in the Sea Kings of 771 Naval Air Squadron in the Search and Rescue role, was pleased with the opportunity to show his family what his work involves adding,
“This was a wonderful opportunity for everyone in LWMF and CHF to show our families what we get up to. I particularly enjoyed being able to show my children around a Lynx, no matter how much I describe to them what I do, nothing beats seeing the real thing.” he also added;
“They show us so much support when we are deployed, often for extended periods at short notice, today was a great way to give them a better understanding of what we do and to say thank you for that support”.