A new Commanding Officer has taken charge of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.
Captain Stuart Irwin took command of RNAS Culdrose today, July 12, replacing Captain Stuart Finn.
Personnel from all over RNAS Culdrose gathered in an aircraft hangar to witness the transfer and give three cheers to Capt Finn.
Thanking the sailors and civilians gathered, Captain Finn highlighted the role of many of his members who have worked in hospitals or with ambulance services over the past two years, supporting the NHS during the pandemic.
He said: “You did it in the finest traditions of service and each of you saw death with your own eyes and had to go and speak to the families of those who have just died in front of you.
Captain Stuart Irwin (left) takes command from Captain Stuart Finn
“It takes a certain type of person.”
He pointed to other major developments such as the retirement of Hawk jets from Culdrose and the introduction of new drones and remotely piloted aircraft.
Addressing the assembled parade, he said: “You are the beating heart of the Fleet Air Arm and you are the beating heart of this nation’s first line of defense.
“It was an honor for me to serve alongside you.”
Captain Irwin then arrived and told the parade that taking command of an air station was “every airman’s dream job”.
He said the future of Culdrose and the Merlin Force was secure and of vital importance to the defense of the country, Europe and NATO.
“I am extremely excited to come to Culdrose as the new captain.
Captain Stuart Irwin addresses the men and women of Culdrose
“The people of Culdrose, military and civilian, with the unwavering support of the local community and the people of Cornwall at large, have made an enormous contribution to British defense for 75 years.
“In an increasingly dangerous world, this contribution is more important than ever.
“There is a strong emphasis on the capabilities offered by maritime aviation and the expertise that makes Culdrose Squadrons unique, protecting the people and interests of the United Kingdom at home and abroad.”
Captain Irwin joined the Royal Navy in 1998 and spent his frontline aviation in Lynx Mk3 and Mk8 maritime attack helicopters, as a pilot and captain frequently deployed in Arctic frigates and destroyers to Antarctica and from the Pacific to the Gulf.
He was an experimental test pilot and maritime counterterrorism flight commander as well as a senior pilot and senior officer of 815 Naval Air Squadron.
