Yeovilton crew home for Christmas

PHOTO: Petty Officer Dean Holdsworth and Stephanie Holdsworth with their children Thomas, three, and Edward, two.

THERE have been happy scenes at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton with aircrew and engineers returning from a seven-and-half-month deployment in support of disaster relief and drug-busting off the coast of the United States of America and in the Caribbean Sea.

The team of aircrew and engineers that make up 228 Flight left Falmouth on board Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Argus in May this year to provide humanitarian assistance and security at sea as part of the Royal Naval commitment overseas.

The first six weeks saw RFA Argus on Public Relations duties while representing the UK during the United States 1812 bicentenary celebrations. This marked the United States victory over Great Britain and the formation of an independent nation, a significant milestone in the growth of the USA.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Hugh Saltonstall and Rachel Saltonstall with their children Annabelle, two, Henry, five, and Edward, three.

RFA Argus sailed into New York on the 23 May 2012 amongst a parade of sail featuring ships from US, German, Japanese and Canadian Navies, to take part in the annual New York Fleet Week.

RFA Argus opened her gangway to the public for a week and saw over 4,500 visitors in three days! When not hosting, members of the ships company were able to enjoy the hospitality of the city that never sleeps. Actively encouraged to wear uniform whilst out and about the sailors enjoyed the open warmth and generosity of the City that never sleeps.

Following the six week tour of the Eastern Seaboard, RFA Argus headed south to take up her role on Atlantic Patrol Tasking, the UK’s year-round commitment to the region in support of humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Six months were spent patrolling the region ready to respond to any emergency and during their patrol 19 named storms were seen.

RFA Argus made several port calls to islands in the region, including UK Overseas Territories. Visits included Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Martinique, St Vincent, Trinidad, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Curacao, and Guantanamo Bay Cuba. 

After a seven and a half month deployment 228 Flight disembarked back to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton on December 13 for a well earned break over Christmas and New Year spent with friends and family.

PHOTO: Petty Officer Carl Wise and Amanda Wise.

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