Proud fathers watch on sons earn their Royal Navy wings

The symbolic badges represent the nascent stage of their frontline careers.

The fathers present at the ceremony were no strangers to this tradition, holding the distinguished position of previous naval aviators themselves.

They were even decked with their own Fleet Air Arm 'wings'.

The ceremony took place at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose.

A total of 11 new aircrew finished their training and are joining the frontline squadrons of the Merlin Helicopter Force.

Among those being congratulated was lieutenant Jack Millen, whose father lieutenant ocmmander Stu Millen, a teacher at the RNAS Culdrose's Merlin Training Facility, was on hand to witness his son's triumph.

The elder Millen, who received his own wings 34 years prior, expressed his pride.

He said: "I am extremely proud of Jack and I am proud of them all.

"It's been a long time in the training system.

"Everyone knows this training is tough and we all recognise that achievement today."

Along with lieutenant Jack, lieutenant Jake Odgen was applauded.

His father, Brad Ogden, who achieved his own wings 30 years ago, joined the celebration.

Mr Ogden reflected on his son's naval journey.

He said: "We always encouraged him to go to Sea Cadets.

"I remember when he went to a navy gliding camp at Yeovilton for a week, when he was about 17, that was when he decided to be a pilot."

Also present was petty officer Danny Cheesman who was applauded by his father chief petty officer Kieron Cheesman, an aircrewman at RNAS Culdrose’s Merlin Warfare Operational Support Team.

Praising his son's chosen path, Mr Cheesman said: "Being an aircrewman is an absolutely fantastic job."

The newly-qualified aircrew underwent the final phase of their training in the north Atlantic last month.

They completed day and night deck landings at sea as part of the NATO exercise, Steadfast Defender.

This informal event was simply to mark the conclusion of their course with the 824 Naval Air Squadron.

A full wings parade is to follow later in the year.

The ceremony came to a close with captain Stuart Irwin at the helm.

He expressed gratitude towards the families for the support they had provided.

Addressing the room, he said: "This has been a long and difficult course.

"It’s built around having the time to get to a very high standard.

"That doesn’t just happen by magic.

"To the families, I say: ‘Thank you.

"They will have needed your help to get this far, and they will need your again in the future’."

He encouraged the new aircrew to remember their professionalism and teamwork, and ended it with the words: "Wear your wings with pride."