UK: Culdrose Based Aircrew Send Flight Deck Message Back to Queen

After sailing from Reykjavik and en-route to Hamburg, HMS St Albans and her ship’s company mustered on the flight deck in an EIIR formation in order to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

The pictures and video, taken by LA (Phot) Abbie Herron, from the Merlin were used during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Parade that took place on 19 May.

HMS St Albans recently conducted an informal visit to Reykjavik in order to strengthen ties with Iceland, a fellow NATO member, earlier in May. The visit came after a busy exercise period for HMS St Albans and her Merlin helicopter from 829 NAS based at RNAS Culdrose.

The exercise included the Submarine Commander’s Course (SMCC) and Exercise Joint Warrior west of Scotland.

During the visit to Iceland, the ship’s company hosted an official reception with a capability demonstration and a opened the ship to visitors so that they could learn more about life onboard a Royal Navy vessel. Guests witnessed a number of briefs and demonstrations which included fire fighting, first aid and the capability and versatility of the Merlin in numerous roles including casualty evacuation and search and rescue.

On completion of the visit, HMS St Albans sailed from Reykjavik in company with the flagship Icelandic Coastguard Vessel “Thor”.

The ship conducted ‘Officer of the Watch’ manoeuvres while her Merlin helicopter, call sign “Sinner”, conducted winching operations to the deck of Thor, the Icelandic’s newest and most impressive Coastguard Vessel.

On completion, HMS St Albans conducted a memorial service and wreath laying in the fjord Hvalsfordur to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Arctic convoys.

829 Naval Air Squadron remains as busy as ever with all five of it’s Merlin Flights currently away on operations and exercises. 02 Flight are currently embarked on HMS Westminster whilst 03 Flight is embarked on HMS Sutherland and 05 Flight is embarked on HMS Northumberland conducting sea trials.

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Naval Today Staff, June 11, 2012; Image: Royal Navy