Against particularly strong competition, the 2009/10 winner of the Rolls Royce engineering efficiency trophy has been given to the Navy Command Sea King Helicopter Force based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.

Unusually this year, the highly coveted Trophy has been awarded to the whole Force rather than to an individual unit, in acknowledgement of the exceptional combined engineering achievements of the Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Squadrons.

The presentation ceremony took place in 771 Squadron’s newly modernised Hangar with Commodore Marsh (Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics) and Ian Ritchey Senior Vice President – Engineering and technology (Rolls Royce) as principal guests. Apart from those operating on frontline duties in Afghanistan, the whole of the Sea King Force was present.

Some of the Royal Navy’s Sea King aircraft date from the 1970’s, but they are equipped with the most technically advanced radar and communications equipment available. With its high tempo of operations and training requirements, the Sea King Force places a heavy workload on its engineers requiring them to provide fully serviceable aircraft round the clock and across the globe.

The Sea King Force is made up of five Naval Air Squadrons. 857, 854 and 849 Squadrons provide the Airborne Surveillance and Control (ASaC) capability, while 771 and Gannet SAR Flight provide SAR cover in Cornwall and Scotland.

The ASaC squadrons use their far-reaching and sensitive radar to detect enemy aircraft and missiles at sea, and since 2009, this skill has also been utilised by joint forces in Afghanistan where 854 and 857 Squadrons provide vital tactical information to coalition forces in the war against the Taliban. Engineers had to quickly adapt the helicopters to suit this new environment working in extreme temperatures to keep the aircraft airborne for a busy flying schedule.

771 Squadron and Gannet SAR flight provide search and rescue cover to Cornwall, the West of Scotland and the Lake District. At 15 minutes notice by day and 45 minutes by night, engineers work around the clock to ensure that helicopters are available when required.

Commander Pat Douglas, the Sea King Helicopter Force Commander said:

“The Maritime Sea King Force at RNAS Culdrose has been awarded the Rolls Royce Engineering Efficiency Trophy for their achievements over the past year.”

“The last 12 months have seen many of the Force operating in Afghanistan in the fight against the insurgents whilst back in the UK others, based both here in Cornwall and up at Prestwick in Scotland, have continued to conduct Search and Rescue duties around the clock.”

“The achievement of these tasks is no mean feat and we only succeed with the support, dedication and focus of our engineers and maintainers. This is a very proud day for all of us in the Sea King Force.”

In a message to the Sea King Force when the award was announced last year, the Naval Chief of Staff responsible for Naval Aviation and Aircraft Carriers said:

“The Sea King force has had a real impact in Operation Herrick. Additionally they have continued to provide critical embarked assets for the key Fleet exercises throughout.”

“In parallel 771 NAS and Gannet SAR Flight have delivered unprecedented levels of Search and Rescue response this year, and simultaneously provided essential NVG (Night Vision Goggle) and environmental training for the SKASaC Force.”

“These achievements by Sea King Force engineers have demanded dedication, innovation, agility and efficiency and have been in the finest traditions of the Fleet Air Arm. The Sea King Force fully deserves recognition through the award of the Rolls Royce Efficiency Trophy.”

Commodore Marsh, who has just recently returned from Afghanistan, where he was able to see at first hand some of the work that the force do, paid tribute to the remarkable achievement of the Force’s engineers in providing such a wide range of capabilities across the world. He praised their skills which are critical both in the provision of SAR, flying over 650 missions in the last 12 months alone, and in delivering huge benefit to joint forces in Afghanistan. He added:

“With your flexibility, adaptability and agility, it is difficult to see how any other service could provide this wide range of expertise.”