YEOVILTON LIFE: Wildcat squadron is go!

ADMIRAL of the Fleet, Lord Boyce, was at RNAS Yeovilton this morning (Friday, October 10, 2014) for the official commissioning ceremony of the new Wildcat helicopter squadron.

The 825 Naval Air Squadron has been resurrected for the Wildcat for a number of significant reasons.

Firstly the 800 series of numbers for Fleet Air Arm Squadrons indicates that they are frontline units.

PHOTO – TOP: Commanding officer of 825 NAS, Cdr Glyn Owen, left, with Cdr Al Haigh, commanding officer of 815 NAS, right, along with Cdr Louis Wilson-Chalon, who is in command of the Lynx Wildcat Maritime Force based at RNAS Yeovilton.

PHOTO – RIGHT: A splendid cake was made by Rachael Kilby, wife of the previous commanding officer of 702 NAS, Stewart Kilby, and she is pictured with AET Adam Geddes and Miss I. Mitchell who were invited to cut the cake during the commissioning ceremony.

The second reason it was chosen is for historical importance within the Fleet Air Arm history. The 825 NAS conducted the sinking of the Bismarck and the Channel Dash where the commanding officers was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

The squadron then reformed in 1982 for the Falklands War conflict and was then disbanded on its return from South Atlantic.

Lord Boyce said it was a “huge honour” for him to be at today’s commissioning – although he joked that he could not understand his invite to the Naval Air station with his background being under the sea as a submariner.

But he said that the Wildcat was a “state-of-the-art maritime helicopter.”

“It is an exciting time for the Royal Navy,” he said. “The 825 NAS will have such an important part to play.

“I would like to wish everyone the very best and have a very happy and successful future.”

Commanding officer of 825 NAS, Cdr Glyn Owen, said it was a “wonderful and memorable day.”

Friends, family, officers, dignitaries and guests gathered at the 825 hangar at RNAS Yeovilton for today’s ceremony.

A number of awards were presented and the cutting of a ceremonial cake which was made by Rachael Kilby, wife of Stuart Kilby, the previous commanding officer of 702 NAS.

People were also given a special performance from the Black Cats Display Team.

More news and photos of today's commissioning ceremony later.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Personnel from HMS Heron at today's commissioning service of the 825 NAS at RNAS Yeovilton.

PHOTO - ABOVE LEFT: Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Boyce, arrives at the 825 NAS hangar followed by Cdr Glyn Owen.

PHOTO - ABOVE RIGHT: Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Boyce, was delighted and honoured to be at today's commissioning service of the Wildcat 825 NAS.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Today's commissioning service at RNAS Yeovilton was a real family affair.

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