Three much welcomed French guests to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose were delighted at the splendid turn out on 849 Naval Air Squadron Wings parade, when Observers Course 1/12 passed for duty.
The French Navy party, led by the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Landivisiau, Captain Hervé Hamelin, accompanied by Lieutenant Anthony Camblan and Lieutenant Julien Fabre, were invited to the passing out parade after the Fleet Air Arm Observers course had operated from BAN Landivisiau in Brittany during their course.
The Royal Navy aviators had taken part in a pre-deployment exercise for the French Carrier Air Group which consisting of Rafale, Super Étendard fighters and E2-C Hawkeye surveillance aircraft.
The fortnight detachment, over the French Navy’s Air Defence exercise, 849 Naval Air Squadron Sea King Mk7 Airborne Surveillance and Control, (SKASaC) helicopters, provide carrier strike and airborne early warning for the Flagship of the Marine Nationale, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, FS Charles de Gaulle.
Similar cross-over exercises and joint ventures are planned in the future as the Royal Navy’s Airborne Surveillance force work towards the arrival of the HMS Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers, who will join the Fleet in the next five years.
Commenting on the Wings parade, Lt Anthony Camblan said,
“We were not expecting the grandeur of a full parade like this, with a Guard of honour and band.
It was good to see the families of the students and Senior Naval Officers all together sharing the moment; C’est Magnifique.”
[mappress] Press Release, July 4, 2013; Image: Royal Navy