Armed Forces - page 6

The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron (RNGS) recently lifted the lid on its day-to-day operations for close friends and family of those serving.

The Squadron Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Kyle Walkley said: “We ask a lot of our people here, often working long hours in demanding conditions, but it can be easy to forget the partners and loved ones at home, so it is nice to be able to host them and talk to them about what we do”.

It has been a particularly busy patch for RNGS, which included an annual maintenance period for HMS Scimitar, the NatWest Island Games and a week of Operational Sea Training.

The afternoon included a gourmet BBQ and drinks alongside, children’s entertainment, a bouncy castle and rides in the adventurous training RHIBS.  The day was funded in part from the annual grant the Squadron receives from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, and a one off grant from SSAFA – The Armed Forces Charity.  

The event itself had been organised by Sgt John “Ronnie” Corbett and Leading Seaman (Supply Chain) James “DJ” Anderson.  The Commanding Officer paid credit to them: “I would like to extend a huge thanks to Sgt Corbett and LSC Anderson for the work they have put in to today and over the past few weeks.  Without them this event simply would not have taken place”.

It wasn’t all fun and games for some, however. The RNGS capability remained intact during the event with some squadron members maintaining operations on the water.