THE Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset has been awarded a trophy for outstanding standards in naval aviation at an award ceremony in Plymouth.

The ship has been presented with the Wigley Trophy - awarded annually to the ship or other unit which displays the highest standards of aviation capability during training off the South West.

HMS Somerset was chosen for this prestigious award due to success in operating Lynx and Merlin helicopters during the ship’s demanding pre-deployment sea training which culminated in a six-month patrol to the Gulf region.

The ship also integrated manned flying with operating the Royal Navy’s first unmanned aerial system known as Scan EagleRear.

Admiral Ben Key, who heads the Plymouth-based Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) organisation presented the trophy to HMS Somerset’s captain Commander Mike Smith, who accepted the award with the flight crews.

Commander Smith said: “This is a proud moment for HMS Somerset and all of her crew for their dedicated hard work over last 2 years to restore aviation to the ship and to use the capability operationally.’’

The award ceremony also marked a very special occasion with the presentation of Long Service and Good Conduct (LS&GC) medals to HMS Somerset’s Executive Warrant Officer Alan Jones and Petty Officer ‘Spike’ Hughes.

Cdr Smith said: “Also taking the time to recognise 30 and 15 years of unblemished service is special and both men should be rightly proud of reaching these important milestones, it’s a great example of just how far you can progress in the Royal Navy and how diverse a career can be in the Senior Service. I am extremely proud to have them both serving in HMS Somerset.”

Adding the Medal Bar for 30 years service to his already awarded Long Service and Good Conduct Medal which he received in 1999, Warrant Officer Jones said:

“It is nice to be recognised today for my 30 years service during which I have experienced an extremely rewarding and diverse career.’’

He started his career in 1984 as a marine engineering mechanic at the training base HMS Raleigh, serving his career so far in the Plymouth Flotilla undertaking a number of appointments in a wide variety of ships.

He added: “This is the second time I have had the privilege to serve onboard HMS Somerset, with my previous sea time served as the senior Chief Marine Engineer onboard.”

Petty Officer Hughes joined the Royal Navy in 1998.

He said: ”I am really grateful for the recognition of 15 years’ Naval Service and having my medal presented by the Admiral has really marked the occasion for me.”

HMS Somerset, having returned from a very successful deployment in support of operations in the Gulf and Indian Ocean, is completing currently coming to the end of a maintenance period in HM Naval Base Devonport and will be proceeding to sea next month to undertake trials and preparations for the next phase of operational sea training