Photo: Royal Navy Wildcat concludes aviation year at BRNC

One of the Royal Navy’s new Wildcat helicopters has provided an added dimension to the final test of training for around 140 officer cadets at Britannia Royal Naval College.

The provision of search and rescue, winching and operational over-watch pushed the Cadets to the limit as they completed a fictional post natural disaster stabilisation exercise.

The cadets have been operating in picket boats on the Dart for the last two weeks in a pass or fail exercise to earn their place on the parade ground for the final passing-out-parade of the year later this month.

Additional assets, such as the Wildcat operated by 825 Naval Air Squadron, have been brought in to add to the realism of the exercise, which is based on current operations.

BRNC’s flight training officer, Lieutenant (Lt) Tim Curnock said: “This final exercise has wrapped up a big year of aviation at BRNC, where the links with the Fleet Air Arm have been stronger than ever.

“The helicopters provide a third dimension for the cadets to consider during their exercise. Not only are they concentrating on the maritime element of naval operations, they are also being educated on how and when an aircraft can be their greatest asset.”

More than 10 different aircraft types from all three services have utilised the prime location of Dartmouth for training this year, from the brand new Wildcats to training Squirrels and the Sea King Mark 7.