It may be a month since the last search and rescue mission flew out of RNAS Culdrose but things remain very much "action stations" at the Helston naval base.

Merlin helicopters are currently out in the Gulf, others have just returned from the Mediterranean, while 814 Squadron is heading off on anti-submarine exercises.

And then there's the missions they're not even allowed to talk about.

One thing that is for sure, the base is definitely not "closing down" as one member of the public recently suggested to its commanding officer, Captain Adrian Orchard.

He told the Helston Packet: "We are growth industry, not a receding one. If you're standing on the fence looking in from outside, it won't look that different here. But inside the wire we have several big projects."

Arguably one of the most exciting developments to come this year is the crucial role Culdrose will play onboard the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth - the first to be built in the UK for 30 years.

"The only reason the HMS Queen Elizabeth is in existence is Culdrose and vice-versa. It's an aircraft carrier and we will not only provide the core of that aircraft but the personnel," said Captain Orchard.

The helicopters from Helston’s 820 squadron, and in part 849 squadron, together with the new F35 jets when they arrive in the UK, will be the only aircraft onboard.

Later this year the ship will begin sea trials out of Portsmouth, with Culdrose Merlins - and their personnel - onboard.

The other main aspect of Culdrose is its training facilities. With around 3,000 personnel on the naval base at any one time, a large proportion are carrying out different aspects of their naval training, coming from around the country to do so.

The base trains around 200 engineers, 25 aircraft handlers and 20 air crew, while an impressive 1,800 pass through its school of flight deck operations.

A state-of-the-art 3D simulator recently installed on the base means trainees can "virtually" land almost any of the Royal Navy's aircraft on any of its ships.

"No one sets food on a grey deck unless they come here," said Captain Orchard.

In charge of all training is Commander Air and Training Jason "Wings" Phillips, who said: "The courses are absolutely jam packed with people. It is a tight schedule for people to be on the courses."

Shortly Culdrose will be receiving one of the new F35 jets - in plastic form, anyway. Although it won't be able to fly, the weight is the same as the real thing, so that aircraft handlers can practice working with them for when onboard the new aircraft carrier, which is expected to be fully operational by 2018.