LÉ JAMES JOYCE conducted a PASSEX (Passing Exercise) with the Royal Navy Ship HMS SOMERSET earlierin the week. This opportunity allows both navies to strengthen ties and cooperation on the high seas

Madness from whichever Treasury source made these comments. A reminder of what Denis Healey had to say on this “Once we cut defence expenditure to the extent where our security is imperilled, we have no houses, we have no hospitals, we have no schools. We have a heap of cinders”

Perhaps I am old fashioned, but if the SoS for Defence and the Armed Forces Minister resign on the basis that No. 10 and the Treasury are either unwilling or unable to fund the defence of the state appropriately, then that should be a resignation for both the PM and Chancellor.

apple.news/At0Bui4UPTKC138pI… Even EDF do not like wind farms so how about sorting this mess out and perhaps you could save some money to help defence budget out

Flagship Captain Ben Power is proud to present: 🏆The Armourer's Prize to LET South. 🏆 The Operational Engineering Award to POET Welford. 🏆 The Engineering Innovation Award to LET Goodchild. Congratulations to all for their exceptional engineering skill, we salute you🫡

apple.news/AeT9CeuZEQHGvHRI4… and that is before you even get on to the issue of Defence demilitarisation prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and only want to support NATO for global peace building and climate diplomacy I would ask are they even aware of MAD that the CASD

Maintenance complete. Store ship complete. All done whilst remaining operational at all times. The Nation's Flagship is good to go for the next phase of Operation Firecrest. Standby for Lightning ⚡️✈️🇬🇧.

#abandoningthetripplelock SO IN AN EFFORT TO GET YOUNGER VOTERS IT IS @UKLabour ARE LOOKING AT SCRAPPING THE TRIPLE LOCK SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE YOUNGER VOTERS GET TO STATE PENSION AGE? REMOVING THE TRIPLE LOCK EFFECTS THE YOUNG AS MUCH AS THE OLD JOINED UP THINKING OR WHAT

Lt Cdr Grayson, 42, joined the navy as a Warfare (Pilot) Officer in September 2008 after studying for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath and a brief spell as an accountant with Deloitte.  Selected for “Junglie” he gained his wings in October 2012 and served with 845 NAS flying the Sea King Mk4, which included flying in Norway, Jordan and Afghanistan, as well as embarked operations on warships. In 2015, he moved out of the cockpit to assume the role of CHF Air Safety Officer responsible for the whole force Air Safety practices and procedures, including risk management, culture and assurance.  Returning to the cockpit in May 2017, he attended the Qualified Helicopter Instructors course at RAF Shawbury. He remained at Shawbury on completion and instructed ab-initio helicopter pilots of all three Armed Services. Selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander in 2020 he assumed the role of Senior Pilot of Sixty Sqn, where he delivered advanced helicopter training to RAF and Commando Helicopter Force Support Helicopter pilots and upgraded to an ‘A categorisation’ instructor.  On completion in Mar 2023, he assumed the role of S02 Collective Training within the Joint Aviation Command.  The MoD said he was “an utmost professional, his leadership of the operational conversion flight was exemplary, and his loss is a huge blow to the Royal Navy, Force, and squadron.”

Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, grew up in Virginia Water, Surrey. She attended Imperial College London to study for a Masters in Geology, graduating in 2016. Sporty and active from a young age, she competed for her regional Netball team, and represented England in Junior Lacrosse and Pole Vault. At university she joined the Officer Training Corps and University Air Squadron where she discovered a passion for flying.  On completion of her MSci, she became a geologist for British Petroleum for 2 years prior to commissioning into the Royal Navy in 2019. She represented Great Britain at the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in September 2021 whilst also completing Elementary Flying Training.  During a break in flying training, she attended the All Arms Commando Course, becoming Britain's only serving female Royal Navy Commando. Following this achievement, she worked as a Watch Keeper on Op ISOTROPE, the UK military's response to the Channel Migrant Crisis. Her team were responsible for coordinating naval assets to find, secure and recover vessels with the primary aim of preventing loss of life.  The MoD said: “Her death is a huge loss to the Royal Navy, Force, and Squadron. She has been an inspiration to countless people, particularly young women, encouraging them to achieve their dreams and it is clear that she had a very bright future as a naval aviator ahead of her.

PO Owen Green, 24, joined the Royal Navy in January 2022, beginning initial training at HMS Raleigh.   The Navy said he demonstrated a consistently high level of professional competence and dedication throughout his career as an Aircrewman with 845 Naval Air Squadron. Following initial training at HMS Raleigh and advanced aircrew courses at RNAS Yeovilton, RAF Shawbury, and RNAS Culdrose, he rapidly progressed through the ranks, achieving Leading Hand status in September 2025 before achieving his Aircrewman Wings in June 2025.   He successfully completed his embarked aviation qualification aboard HNLMS Johan De Witt in October 2025, “reflecting his operational readiness and adaptability in multinational environments”. He played a key role in major exercises such as Hades Warrior and Wyvern Tor 26, contributing to force tactical validation and operational preparedness. His deployment on Operation Clockwork 26 was particularly notable; he accumulated the highest-flying hours among his peers in demanding Arctic conditions, earning his Arctic environmental qualification and establishing himself as one of the squadron’s most experienced operators in extreme environments. The MoD said: “Throughout his service, he consistently demonstrated technical proficiency, operational effectiveness, and a commitment to continuous professional development, making a significant contribution to squadron capability and mission success.”

BREAKING: The Ministry of Defence has revealed the names of the three naval aviators killed in yesterday’s tragic Merlin helicopter crash. Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher of 846 Naval Air Squadron, and Petty Officer Owen Green of 845 Naval Air Squadron, died in Devon during routine training activity.   Commander of Joint Aviation Command, Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner RAF, said:  “The loss of three deeply capable and professional aviators during the tragic incident yesterday is the cause of profound sadness across the Joint Aviation Command and the Commando Helicopter Force in particular.   “They will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with the families and all those affected.”

plans for a new mandatory digital ID. It’s invasive and could mean millions of people unable to go about their daily lives. Right now it's just an idea - we need to stop it becoming a reality. Join me and sign the petition now! you.38degrees.org.uk/petitio… via @38degrees

Polygamy has never been normal in Britain. And yet the Government has just committed to giving even more taxpayer money to people in polygamous marriages. If you come to this country, you should abide by our norms. You certainly shouldn't get paid extra for failing to do so.

#OTD #Falklands1982 Remembering all of those lost on this day in 1982 from the Atlantic Conveyor and HMS Coventry, especially Adrian Anslow of 845 B Flight.

This morning, 85 years ago, the British battle-cruiser HMS Hood was destroyed by fire from German battleship Bismarck, the culmination of an 8 min fight in the Denmark Strait. Last year I attended the annual dinner of the HMS Hood Association to commemorate the loss. Couldn't 2026 but here's a display from 2025 of men & boys among 1,415 lost in the ship, also pictured, & some rivets from Hood (which landed aboard HMS Prince of Wales after the fatal explosion). Just 3 survivors. #lestweforget

I recently read this one, and I do recommend it. It's centered on the human story, from the Royal Navy perspective, who fought not just the Bismarck, but the elements too, even though it was May.

We see you. HMS Prince of Wales is participating in Exercise Dynamic Mongoose with Standing NATO Maritime Group One.