Milestone for Royal Navy aircraft engineer after 42 years of service

AN AIRCRAFT engineer who has served with the Royal Navy for 42 years has reached his 1,000th flying hour in a Helicopter at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton.

John Turuta, 61,, an aircraft engineer on Royal Navy Lynx Helicopters takes to the skies with the pilots to give expert engineering advice. Reaching 1,000 hours is a significant milestone in an aviator’s career and he is now the most experienced of all ‘Flying Maintainers’ in the Navy.

John said: “I’m really proud. I’m the first Engineer to do this and may well be the last. Although it’s taken 22 years to get here I’m not ready to stop yet!”

PHOTO: John Turuta, left, and Commander Anthony Rimmington.

John joined the Navy in 1971 leaving the service in 2000. However, he continued to work with the Royal Navy at Yeovilton as an aircraft engineer for Serco, contracted to support the Royal Navy’s Engineering Activities.

In his service John has worked on Wasp, Lynx and Wessex Helicopters and even Hovercraft. He saw active service in the Gulf and Falklands wars. He has been on 702 Squadron, the Training Squadron for Royal Navy Lynx for 18 years alone.

Lieutenant Commander Alex Sims, 702 Squadron's training officer, said: “He’s been serving longer than I’ve been alive and this achievement is remarkable. He’s a real asset to the Royal Navy and Serco and hopefully there is many more years left in him yet!”

John was honoured in a short presentation on 702 Squadron by the Air Station's Commanding Officer, Commodore Jock Alexander and Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force Commander Kev Flemming.

The 702 Squadron is the Lynx Helicopter training Squadron based at the Naval Air Station near Yeovil. They are responsible for training engineers and pilots to supply the front line in conflicts across the world.

PHOTO: John Turuta, centre, with Cdre Jock Alexander, left, and Cdr Kev Flemming.

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