YEOVILTON LIFE: Awards ceremony for young technicians

SKILLED young technicians from RNAS Yeovilton marked the successful completion their training to become fully fledged Royal Navy aircraft engineers before joining front line squadrons.

Commander Jo Deakin, Commanding Officer of the Air Engineering Department, welcomed everyone to the parade and thanked the staff and families for their support during the 55 weeks qualification process.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was Commodore Jon Pentreath OBE, Commanding Officer RNAS Yeovilton. In addressing the students’ families Cdre Pentreath thanked everyone present saying;

“The Navy like to think of themselves as a family and so we will look after your sons, daughters, brothers and sisters but your support when they’re operating around the world is just as critical,” he said.

Cdre Pentreath, speaking to the trainees, added: “I congratulate all of you. You are now fully paid up members of the Fleet Air Arm; a deeply professional department, delivering huge output around the globe. You are joining at an extremely exciting time; you all have challenging and rewarding careers ahead of you.”

He then presented each student with the certificates, amongst which were six individuals recognised for their outstanding qualities, abilities and attitude.

PHOTO – TOP: AET Mark Greenway, winner of the Merlin Ethos trophy; AET Jeremy Orange, Lynx Academic Award winner; AET Zoë Baker, Lynx Ethos winner; AET Rachel Dunn-Mcglynn, awarded the Wildcat Academic; AET Beasley Michael, Merlin Academic winner; and AET Dean Cooper, Wildcat Ethos winner.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Commodore Jon Pentreath.

The Academic Award is presented to the student who has achieved the best results during their training;

AET Jeremy Orange, 23, Lynx Academic Award winner, said: “I feel brilliant and very proud.  This award is the icing on the cake”

AET Beasley Michael, 22, Merlin Academic winner, said: “We had no idea about these awards and no expectations really.  Mum’s very proud.”

AET Rachel Dunn-Mcglynn, 30, awarded the Wildcat Academic award, said: “I’m very happy but also feel a little geeky and nerdy.”

The Ethos Award is presented for spirit, loyalty, respect, sense of humour and determination during training. AET Zoë Baker, 21, Lynx Ethos winner, said: “It’s wonderful, dad’s over the moon.”

AET Mark Greenway, 28, winner of the Merlin Ethos trophy, said: “I didn’t even know about this award. This just proves that people do notice.”

AET Dean Cooper, 27, Wildcat Ethos winner, said: “I’m astonished to receive this award. I really didn’t expect anything.”

On completion of the parade the newly qualified, smiling and proud AET’s joined their families, military instructors and industry guests to celebrate their success and achievements over lunch. 

PHOTOS: Taken during the awards ceremony.

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