This week has seen Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin, visit the Royal Naval Air hub at Culdrose and Falmouth docks as part of an initiative to highlight UK supply chain involvement for the new Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers.
The Minister first visited Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, home to the Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopters, where naval aviators are being trained to work on the new carriers. RNAS Culdrose is at the heart of the naval air training and the minister met with personnel stationed at the base as well as undertaking tours of aircraft and training facilities. These include a Dummy Flight Deck, designed to train QEC aircraft handlers among others, where she witnessed live training exercises.
The base is an important part of the QEC programme, which will deliver the two Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers, the largest warships ever built in the UK and from which the UK’s new F-35B Lightning II jets will fly.
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin, said: “It was an honour to visit one of Europe’s largest helicopter bases and meet the men and women behind its success. The state-of-the art facilities are helping to test and safeguard our maritime aircraft capacity.
“The base provides 3,000 civilian and military jobs and is one of the biggest single-site employers in Cornwall, pumping £100m into the local economy every year, bringing welcome regional investment.”
The Commanding Officer of RNAS Culdrose, Captain Danny Stembridge ADC said: “It was a privilege to welcome the Defence Minister to Culdrose this week, and to discuss the vital role its people continue to play in the defence of our nation. She visits at a very important time for us; whilst we continue to deliver our primary roles of protecting the Nuclear Deterrent and supporting Counter Terrorism, we are also getting ready to defend the Royal Navy’s Carrier Task Groups.
“HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Nation’s new flagship, will sail into Portsmouth Harbour this year and Naval Air Power will be at the forefront of this nation’s deployed capabilities. It is essential that we at RNAS Culdrose are ready to play our important role in this exciting new venture. Indeed, aircraft from 820 Naval Air Squadron, will be the very first to land on the flight deck of the new carrier.”
The Minister also visited A&P Group who support and maintain the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s four Bay Class ships, one of which is currently stationed in The Gulf, and World Fuels at Falmouth docks.
She commented: “I am delighted to be in Falmouth, which has a vital ship repair capability, sustaining jobs and part of a UK-wide carrier effort.”
Images: © Crown Copyright Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin at the announcement of the Crowsnest deal.
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Harriet Baldwin MP Merlin Helicopters Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers RNAS Culdrose
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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