Heritage Day

​Today, working alongside Navy Wings, the church hosted a heritage day for 75 Phase 2B Air Engineering Technicians from the air station at Yeovilton. The trainees were divided into small groups, rotating through selected points of interest inside and outside in the Royal Naval Cemetery.  The stances were the Falkland’s Conflict Memorial tablet, a brass plaque listing the four naval aviation Victoria Cross recipients, the resting place of Honorary Vice Admiral Sir Donald Gosling KCVO Royal Naval Reserve and the graves of those who lost their lives in a Lynx helicopter operating from HMS Portland in 2004. 
Individuals within the groups had been previously nominated to research and then deliver a short talk to their colleagues on the relevant subjects. The day provided a sombre reminder of how important their future roles in the Fleet Air Arm would play in operating naval aircraft safely ashore and afloat. It also gave the trainees an opportunity to learn about the heroic exploits of earlier generations and to honour their sacrifice. Whilst visiting the Navy Wings hangar they were able to get up close to the historic Sea Vixen FAW2, Sea Fury FB.11 and two Swordfish aircraft.