Frame for new hangar at RNAS Culdrose complete
BBCA new aircraft hangar is taking shape at a naval air station as part of a £100m project to improve training facilities for crew.
The new hangar at RNAS Culdrose, Helston will replace one demolished in August as part of ongoing work to build a new air engineering training school and refurbish two existing hangars and a headquarters building.
On Tuesday the commanding officer Alasdair Woodward and Taylor Kiltie, the youngest sailor in 820 Naval Air Squadron, tightened the bolts on the new frame with a ceremonial golden spanner.
Woodward said the investment was "a sign of the future" and the "modern resilient facilities" would allow the squadron to work "long into the future".
The new hangar will be home to Merlin Mark 2 helicopters, which are principally used for anti-submarine warfare but can also fulfil search and rescue roles.
Air engineering technician Taylor Kiltie,19, was on the last deployment of 820 naval air squadron, Operation Highmast in the Indo-Pacific area.
He said: "Coming back now, we're currently trying to regenerate our aircraft ready for another deployment a bit later on this year so having these newer facilities is going to be a real help to us."
The 820 naval air squadron is the Royal Navy Merlin helicopter force dedicated to protecting the UK's aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.
It is one of three squadrons in the force which protects the nuclear deterrent, critical undersea infrastructure and UK waters.
Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
