The new commanding officer of the aircraft handlers' school at RNAS Culdrose has described his appointment as "like coming home."

Lieutenant Commander Scott Harding has taken command of the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations, which trains sailors how to work safely on flight decks and deliver flying operations at sea.

It is the same institution where he trained and later worked as an instructor, prompting him to say: "It feels like I’ve come home."

Lt Cmdr Harding has just transferred from Culdrose’s 1700 Naval Air Squadron, where he was recently deployed to the Caribbean onboard RFA Argus. The ship spent the last half of 2020 on disaster-relief patrol and took part in several major drug busts alongside US Coastguards.

He said: “I am very proud to take command of this highly professional and capable team. As an aircraft handler, I have passed through these doors both as a student and an instructor. With that providence, to be here now as the CO is a great honour and it feels like I’ve come home.”

He takes over from Lieutenant Commander Billy Benton, who has commanded the school for the last two years and said: “It has been an absolute privilege to work within such a dedicated team of Royal Navy, civil servants and contractors, who deliver high-quality training in support of defence aims.”

The navy’s carrier strike group deployment this spring will benefit directly from the qualifications achieved by trainees across the aircraft handling courses, as well as the numerous air courses that qualify personnel from various trades, he added.

Lt Cmdr Benton said: “Like everywhere, we have been challenged by the pandemic but through the determination and professionalism of the whole team, the school has returned to full training delivery, with enhanced safety measures to protect staff and trainees. I could not have asked for more from them.”