Double celebration at RNAS Yeovilton as graduates receive their wings

Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton marked a double celebration with a special anniversary and new aircrew personnel and pilots gaining their wings.

Twelve personnel, one from the British Army and 11 from the Royal Navy, were presented with their wings and certificates in front of their families and friends.

The graduates will join 845 Naval Air Squadron and will be held at five days' readiness to deploy anywhere in the world.

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And for visitors at the parade, a demonstration from 846 Naval Air Squadron showed what their future could look like as they simulated a rescue operation.

The ceremony also marked the 80th anniversary of the Commando Helicopter Force's Training Squadron, 846 Naval Air Squadron.

Commander Richard Bartram of 846 Naval Air Squadron said: "We've got a generation of new pilots and aircrewmen carrying on the tradition of 846.

"We've got historic aircraft from points in our history here as well.

"So, it's a real combination of the old and the new today, of our history in the past but also looking toward the future with a new generation of aircrew."

RNAS Yeovilton, located near Yeovil, in Somerset, is one of the Navy's two principal air bases and is one of the busiest military airfields in the UK.