Prince Charles presents 857 Naval Air Squadron with Afghanistan Medals
4 May 10
A total of 77 Royal Navy Sea King crew members from 857 Naval Air Squadron were presented with their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals by The Prince of Wales on Friday 30 April 2010.
A proud officer from 857 Naval Air Squadron receives his Afghanistan Operational Service Medal from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
[Picture: POA(Phot) Julian Merrill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
Naval officers and ratings from the squadron marched from Wellington Barracks past Buckingham Palace and up The Mall to receive their medals at a royal presentation ceremony at Clarence House in London.
The squadron was deployed to Afghanistan to conduct air operations between October 2009 and March 2010.
The 'eye-in-the-sky' capability of the Mark 7 Sea King helicopter provides information to forces tackling the insurgency in Helmand province.
Originally designed to identify potential aerial targets and provide early warning to the fleet at sea, the Searchwater 2000 radar and system operators have proved highly effective at tracking both maritime and land targets over a wide area and in many different environments.
Lieutenant Commander Steve Lynch, Commanding Officer of 857 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), said:
"This is a very proud and special day for the squadron personnel and their supportive families. I am honoured to bring the squadron to London to highlight the Navy contribution to security operations in Afghanistan.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales chats with a rating from 857 Naval Air Squadron
[Picture: POA(Phot) Julian Merrill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
"This is an event we have all looked forward to, and while we may enjoy the ceremony today, we remember that our friends and colleagues are still on call for flying operations every day in Afghanistan until we return to take their place."
857 NAS personnel operated from Camp Bastion for the duration of their six-month tour, providing critical support to ground operations.
The Navy regularly works alongside both ground and airborne assets to support patrols, supply convoys and assist in their safe passage throughout Helmand province.
857 NAS will return to Afghanistan in the summer of 2010 to relieve their sister squadron, 854 NAS.
Meanwhile, the squadron personnel maintain their maritime capabilities operating from ships in the more traditional roles of surveillance of the seas and skies; protecting naval warships, detecting pirates, tracking drug smugglers or working with the Royal Marines on amphibious operations.
The Sea King squadrons are based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall.
