US Navy cadets visit RNAS Culdrose and the South West

United States Navy Officer Cadets from the US Naval Academy atAnnapolishave been shown how the South West plays an important role in supporting the Royal Navy.

During a two week visit to theUK, five US Navy midshipmen together with their instructor spent time at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth, HMS Raleigh in Torpoint and at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Culdrose inCornwall.

Enhancing the training exchange agreement between BRNC and US Naval Academy atAnnapolis,Marylandthe American Cadets carried out navigation and seamanship training during their two day visit to theDartmouth. They were also able to meet groups of Royal Navy Young Officers giving each group an introduction to future NATO colleagues and found out about the Royal Navy’s heritage during an historical tour of the BRNC.

Moving on to RNAS Culdrose the US Navy group were shown around and briefed on the Royal Navy’s Airborne Surveillance and Command Force Sea King Mark 7, who are currently on Operations in Afghanistan. TheUScadets were particularly impressed by the range of technology available to the RN Observers, who operate the Searchwater radar on the aircraft.

Completing their South West tour at HMS Raleigh, the cadets were shown the diverse training that take place at the  base from new entry training for Royal Navy ratings to specialist training in logistics, seamanship and military skills. The US Navy Cadets were able to take a look at the new heavy replenishment at sea facility which is being used to demonstrate equipment for the next generation of Royal Navy ships and test their marksmanship skills on the firing ranges.

The US Navy commissioning programme for Officers is four years long to include study for a bachelor’s degree. Every summer theUnited StatesNavalAcademyconducts a wide array of summer training for their cadre of 4,400 Midshipmen. It ranges from local seamanship, navigation, and leadership activities, to embarking various ships, aviation units, submarines, and special warfare units in the US Fleet, to foreign exchanges with navies around the world. 

BRNC’s US Navy Liaison Officer, Lieutenant Matt Kenfield said:  “Visits to this part of the UK are very special and always popular. Not only to look at the Naval Air Squadrons and Training Establishments, but the historic traditions of each Unit, which make the Royal Navy what it is today.”