YEOVILTON LIFE: Smiles and tears as helicopter crew returns home
THERE were emotional scenes at RNAS Yeovilton when a Lynx helicopter crew returned home following a nine-month deployment to the Middle East.
During their 263 days away from the UK, the 239 Lynx flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron had been deployed with HMS Defender, but today (Thursday, July 7, 2016) their families waited to welcome them home.
Commanding Officer of 815 NAS Commander Phil Richardson, who welcomed home the air crew, said: “These are magic moments, it’s an amazing afternoon here at 815 with 239 Flight coming back from nine months away in HMS Defender, they’ve had a fantastic deployment and it’s wonderful to welcome them home safe today, they have done a great job.”
The Type 45 Destroyer with Lynx flight embarked has visited 19 ports in 11 countries, participated in two major international maritime exercises, represented the UK at the International Indian Fleet review, and conducted numerous boarding operations, one of which resulted in a major drugs bust street value estimated at £5.6 million!
PHOTO – TOP: The Clark family reunited.
PHOTO – RIGHT: Chief Petty Officer Jim Wilkins hugs daughter Phoebe Wilkins, 13.
Flight Commander Lieutenant Hamish Walker said: “It’s been a fantastically productive deployment over nine months and the drug interception on the way home was the icing on the cake!”
Natalie Clark, wife of Petty Officer Damon Clark, stood waiting patiently with her two small boys waiting to see Daddy after nine long months.
“The first part was worse than the second part but having two-year-old Joshua and 11-month-old Oliver boys kept me busy,” said Natalie.
“Really looking forward to having him home we have a mini beast adventure planned for tomorrow, finding bugs in the woods with our little boys there will be no peace!”
The ship has travelled 47,538 nautical miles, the equivalent of going more than twice around the world. To cover this distance, she has used 10,551,000 litres of fuel, enough to fill 4.2 Olympic-size swimming pools.
It is not just the ship that required fuelling as during the deployment the 248 sailors on board consumed 75,600 eggs, 19,000 kg of potatoes, or the equivalent of 16 Mini Coopers, and 54,720 sausages weighing 3420 kg, which would cover three miles if laid end to end.
PHOTO – ABOVE: Cdr Phil Richardson welcomes back the Flight Commander, Lt Hamish Walker.
PHOTO – ABOVE: A jubilant Flight Commander, Lt Hamish Walker, with mum Trish Walker.
PHOTO – ABOVE: HMS Defender’s Lynx helicopter lands back at RNAS Yeovilton.
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