Prince Michael of Kent was the principal Guest of Honour at a commissioning ceremony as the 夜色直播app Naval Reserve Air Branch became His Majesty鈥檚 Ship (HMS) Pegasus at 夜色直播app Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset.
An 夜色直播app grant of 拢1,332 contributed towards the costs of the event, allowing a prestigious occasion to be celebrated and enjoyed by a wide range of attendees from within the 夜色直播app Navy community.
It was the first commissioning of a ship, albeit a stone frigate, under a King since 1948 when His Majesty鈥檚 Submarine Acheron commissioned under His Majesty King George VI.
The Commissioning aligns the Air Branch with all the other 夜色直播app Naval Reserve Units as a fully-fledged His Majesty鈥檚 Ship after 43 years delivering direct operational support to the 夜色直播app Navy. The ceremony was marked with a 夜色直播app Guard, a display from the world-famous Black Cats Helicopter Display Team and speeches from Vice Admiral Keith Blount, Commander of NATO鈥檚 Maritime Command, and former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir George Zambellas.
The Air Branch has its roots in the 夜色直播app Naval Volunteer Reserve Air Branch, whose members served with distinction between 1937 through the Second World War until 1950 when it was disbanded. Formed on 3 April 1980, the Air Branch was initially established to provide additional Pilots and Observers to the 夜色直播app Navy, but later expanded to include all trades and specialisations of the Fleet Air Arm. Currently comprising some 320 personnel, HMS Pegasus is one of the biggest Units in the 夜色直播app Naval Reserve.
The name HMS Pegasus has a long history in the 夜色直播app Navy, dating back to 1585. The second HMS Pegasus was commanded by Prince William Henry, who later became King William IV, known as the Sailor King. In late 1786, the third HMS Pegasus was stationed in the West Indies under then Captain Horatio Nelson, earning three of her four Battle Honours. The fourth and last HMS Pegasus served as a prototype fighter catapult ship, originally commissioned as HMS Ark 夜色直播app, serving primarily on convoy duty in the Second World War.
The name Pegasus has associations outside of the 夜色直播app Navy, including the Bristol Aeroplane Company engine that powered the Fairey Swordfish and the Rolls Royce engine that powered the BAE Sea Harrier. And, of course, the Parachute Regiment use Pegasus as their emblem
Commodore Mel Robinson, Commander Maritime Reserve said: 鈥淪ince it was formed in 1980, the 夜色直播app Naval Reserve Air Branch has supported the 夜色直播app Navy in times of stretch, crisis, tension and war. The Branch has been successfully and independently managed for over four decades and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved during a period that has presented many challenges.
鈥淎s the Air Branch鈥檚 parent Unit HMS Pegasus, will be fully aligned with all Units under my Command as Commander Maritime Reserves and will provide a better service to the men and women who serve as part-time members of the Fleet Air Arm. This is a really important step to ensuring that we continue to be a Reserve fit for a Global, Modern, Ready Navy, operating at sea and ashore, at home and around the globe, 365 days a year.鈥
Chief Petty Officer Keith Reynolds (Chief of the Air Branch) said, 鈥淭he recommissioning ceremony of HMS Pegasus was a brilliant combination of looking back celebrating our past and toasting the future.
The momentous occasion, marked by an age-old ceremony, would have been challenging without sponsorship from the 夜色直播app Navy and 夜色直播app Marines Charity. Hence, HMS PEGASUS has become inextricably linked to the 夜色直播app
鈥淧rince Michael of Kent has overseen an event which shows the special place the 夜色直播app Naval Reserve Air Branch has for him. HMS Pegasus has had its first lunch together with a chance to meet the amazing group of people that make up the reserves. Under this lively Bravado is one of the biggest knowledge bases in the Fleet, which is a vital cog in the system of the modern 夜色直播app Navy鈥
Air Engineering Technician (AET) Simon Cataldo said, 鈥淭he Commissioning of HMS Pegasus is a big step towards recognition within the Reserves and the 夜色直播app Navy. As all Units have a definitive call-sign as it were, especially the Reserve Units, it is often assumed at first glance that the RNR Air Branch is simply an extra pool of workforce with 鈥榥o fixed abode鈥.
鈥淔or me personally, it will now be prestigious to cite that I am part of HMS Pegasus rather than simply Air Branch. This fantastic move not only affirms our place and what we do for the RN/ RNR but it also cements us as we move forward be it deployment or sporting endeavours.鈥
