The Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm closed a chapter of its history on Thursday, 29 January as the training pipelines for Royal Navy Sea King Mk 4 and Lynx helicopters came to an end when 6 aircrew received their Wings from His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG.
During the ceremony at the Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton, 2 Sea King pilots, 2 Lynx pilots and 2 Lynx observers received their Wings.
The Navy’s Commando Sea Kings are being replaced by the battlefield variant of the Merlin helicopter, and the maritime Lynx is being replaced by the Wildcat Mk2 helicopter.
The transition will take place over the next 2 years and will end in 2017 when the last Lynx is due to leave Naval service.
All 6 aircrew will remain with the Squadrons that trained them but now join the front line trained strength that will involve operations in support of the Joint Helicopter Force and the Fleet at locations and on board ships around the world.
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Image: Royal Navy