At around 0130 GMT on Saturday 22 March 2003, two Royal Navy Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Early Warning helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf.
The helicopters were from 849 Squadron A Flight, which is based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall. The crash was not the result of enemy action and tragically there were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard.
The six British personnel were:
Lieutenant Philip D Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire,
Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall,
Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent,
Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall,
Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose
The Commanding Officer of 849 Squadron asked for this letter to be published in response to all the messages of condolence received:
The early hours of 22 March 2003 marked a sad day in the proud history of 849 Naval Air Squadron. Two Sea King Mk 7 helicopters of 849 A Flight collided over the North Arabian Gulf, whilst conducting missions in support of coalition forces, with the loss of all seven crewmembers.
As one can imagine, this tragic event has shocked and devastated everyone, not only the friends and loved ones of those involved but also of those associated in anyway with 849 Naval Air Squadron, the wider Fleet Air Arm community, and beyond.
Messages of condolence, support and sympathy began arriving early Saturday morning. Since then, Culdrose and 849 Squadron have been overwhelmed by the flow of tributes that continue to arrive.
These have come from all quarters and include those close to fallen comrades, fellow aviators, members of the armed forces and from the general public.
The strength and understanding that these messages convey cannot be underestimated; they have been, and continue to be, of enormous support not only to the friends and family of those involved, but to those still serving on A Flight and the 849 community as a whole.
It will take time to respond personally to all the tributes, but be assured that all those associated with 849 Naval Air Squadron are eternally grateful and will draw great strength from them in the coming weeks and months.
Despite such horrendous losses, 849 A Flight remain in theatre and continue to execute vital missions in support of Gulf operations. The 'Eyes of the Fleet' may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant.
Finally, to our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten.
After joining the Navy in April 1996 as a graduate entry, Lieutenant Green undertook officer training at BRNC Dartmouth, passing out in April 1997. He started his flying career on Firefly aircraft at the Joint Elementary Flying Training Squadron (JEFTS), RAF Barkston Heath in June 1997. After successful completion of JEFTS in December 1997 he moved onto Basic Flying Training and the Squirrel helicopter at RAF Shawbury.
His Tri-Service flying training ended in June 1998 and he moved to RNAS Culdrose to take part in his Advanced Flying Training and Operational Flying Training, flying the Sea King helicopter with 810 Naval Air Squadron in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Role.
He completed these courses and was posted to his first frontline tour at Prestwick in Scotland with 819 Naval Air Squadron in January 2000. During his time on this squadron he completed his ASW pilot Certificate of Competency. He served in many areas gaining a wide and varied flying experience. Towards the second half of his time on this squadron he served as the second pilot on a Type 22 Frigate Flight.
He joined 849 Squadron in May 2002.
The helicopters were from 849 Squadron A Flight, which is based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall. The crash was not the result of enemy action and tragically there were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard.
The six British personnel were:
Lieutenant Philip D Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire,
Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall,
Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent,
Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall,
Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose
The Commanding Officer of 849 Squadron asked for this letter to be published in response to all the messages of condolence received:
The early hours of 22 March 2003 marked a sad day in the proud history of 849 Naval Air Squadron. Two Sea King Mk 7 helicopters of 849 A Flight collided over the North Arabian Gulf, whilst conducting missions in support of coalition forces, with the loss of all seven crewmembers.
As one can imagine, this tragic event has shocked and devastated everyone, not only the friends and loved ones of those involved but also of those associated in anyway with 849 Naval Air Squadron, the wider Fleet Air Arm community, and beyond.
Messages of condolence, support and sympathy began arriving early Saturday morning. Since then, Culdrose and 849 Squadron have been overwhelmed by the flow of tributes that continue to arrive.
These have come from all quarters and include those close to fallen comrades, fellow aviators, members of the armed forces and from the general public.
The strength and understanding that these messages convey cannot be underestimated; they have been, and continue to be, of enormous support not only to the friends and family of those involved, but to those still serving on A Flight and the 849 community as a whole.
It will take time to respond personally to all the tributes, but be assured that all those associated with 849 Naval Air Squadron are eternally grateful and will draw great strength from them in the coming weeks and months.
Despite such horrendous losses, 849 A Flight remain in theatre and continue to execute vital missions in support of Gulf operations. The 'Eyes of the Fleet' may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant.
Finally, to our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten.
After joining the Navy in April 1996 as a graduate entry, Lieutenant Green undertook officer training at BRNC Dartmouth, passing out in April 1997. He started his flying career on Firefly aircraft at the Joint Elementary Flying Training Squadron (JEFTS), RAF Barkston Heath in June 1997. After successful completion of JEFTS in December 1997 he moved onto Basic Flying Training and the Squirrel helicopter at RAF Shawbury.
His Tri-Service flying training ended in June 1998 and he moved to RNAS Culdrose to take part in his Advanced Flying Training and Operational Flying Training, flying the Sea King helicopter with 810 Naval Air Squadron in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Role.
He completed these courses and was posted to his first frontline tour at Prestwick in Scotland with 819 Naval Air Squadron in January 2000. During his time on this squadron he completed his ASW pilot Certificate of Competency. He served in many areas gaining a wide and varied flying experience. Towards the second half of his time on this squadron he served as the second pilot on a Type 22 Frigate Flight.
He joined 849 Squadron in May 2002.
At around 0130 GMT on Saturday 22 March 2003, two Royal Navy Sea King Mk 7 Airborne Early Warning helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf.
The helicopters were from 849 Squadron A Flight, which is based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall. The crash was not the result of enemy action and tragically there were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard.
The six British personnel were:
Lieutenant Philip D Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire,
Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall,
Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent,
Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall,
Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose
The Commanding Officer of 849 Squadron asked for this letter to be published in response to all the messages of condolence received:
The early hours of 22 March 2003 marked a sad day in the proud history of 849 Naval Air Squadron. Two Sea King Mk 7 helicopters of 849 A Flight collided over the North Arabian Gulf, whilst conducting missions in support of coalition forces, with the loss of all seven crewmembers.
As one can imagine, this tragic event has shocked and devastated everyone, not only the friends and loved ones of those involved but also of those associated in anyway with 849 Naval Air Squadron, the wider Fleet Air Arm community, and beyond.
Messages of condolence, support and sympathy began arriving early Saturday morning. Since then, Culdrose and 849 Squadron have been overwhelmed by the flow of tributes that continue to arrive.
These have come from all quarters and include those close to fallen comrades, fellow aviators, members of the armed forces and from the general public.
The strength and understanding that these messages convey cannot be underestimated; they have been, and continue to be, of enormous support not only to the friends and family of those involved, but to those still serving on A Flight and the 849 community as a whole.
It will take time to respond personally to all the tributes, but be assured that all those associated with 849 Naval Air Squadron are eternally grateful and will draw great strength from them in the coming weeks and months.
Despite such horrendous losses, 849 A Flight remain in theatre and continue to execute vital missions in support of Gulf operations. The 'Eyes of the Fleet' may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant.
Finally, to our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten.
After joining the Navy in April 1996 as a graduate entry, Lieutenant Green undertook officer training at BRNC Dartmouth, passing out in April 1997. He started his flying career on Firefly aircraft at the Joint Elementary Flying Training Squadron (JEFTS), RAF Barkston Heath in June 1997. After successful completion of JEFTS in December 1997 he moved onto Basic Flying Training and the Squirrel helicopter at RAF Shawbury.
His Tri-Service flying training ended in June 1998 and he moved to RNAS Culdrose to take part in his Advanced Flying Training and Operational Flying Training, flying the Sea King helicopter with 810 Naval Air Squadron in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Role.
He completed these courses and was posted to his first frontline tour at Prestwick in Scotland with 819 Naval Air Squadron in January 2000. During his time on this squadron he completed his ASW pilot Certificate of Competency. He served in many areas gaining a wide and varied flying experience. Towards the second half of his time on this squadron he served as the second pilot on a Type 22 Frigate Flight.
He joined 849 Squadron in May 2002.
The helicopters were from 849 Squadron A Flight, which is based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall. The crash was not the result of enemy action and tragically there were no survivors from the six British and one US crew members aboard.
The six British personnel were:
Lieutenant Philip D Green RN, aged 30 from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire,
Lieutenant Antony King RN, aged 35 from Helston, Cornwall,
Lieutenant Marc Lawrence RN, aged 26 from Westgate-on-Sea, Kent,
Lieutenant Philip West RN, aged 32 from Budock Water, Cornwall,
Lieutenant James Williams RN, aged 28 from Falmouth, Cornwall, and
Lieutenant Andrew Wilson RN, aged 36 from Exeter all from 849 Squadron, RNAS Culdrose
The Commanding Officer of 849 Squadron asked for this letter to be published in response to all the messages of condolence received:
The early hours of 22 March 2003 marked a sad day in the proud history of 849 Naval Air Squadron. Two Sea King Mk 7 helicopters of 849 A Flight collided over the North Arabian Gulf, whilst conducting missions in support of coalition forces, with the loss of all seven crewmembers.
As one can imagine, this tragic event has shocked and devastated everyone, not only the friends and loved ones of those involved but also of those associated in anyway with 849 Naval Air Squadron, the wider Fleet Air Arm community, and beyond.
Messages of condolence, support and sympathy began arriving early Saturday morning. Since then, Culdrose and 849 Squadron have been overwhelmed by the flow of tributes that continue to arrive.
These have come from all quarters and include those close to fallen comrades, fellow aviators, members of the armed forces and from the general public.
The strength and understanding that these messages convey cannot be underestimated; they have been, and continue to be, of enormous support not only to the friends and family of those involved, but to those still serving on A Flight and the 849 community as a whole.
It will take time to respond personally to all the tributes, but be assured that all those associated with 849 Naval Air Squadron are eternally grateful and will draw great strength from them in the coming weeks and months.
Despite such horrendous losses, 849 A Flight remain in theatre and continue to execute vital missions in support of Gulf operations. The 'Eyes of the Fleet' may have dimmed briefly but they remain open, alert and ever vigilant.
Finally, to our fallen comrades from 849 A Flight we say: Rest in peace in the knowledge that your professionalism, dedication and ultimate sacrifice will never go unrecognised or be forgotten.
After joining the Navy in April 1996 as a graduate entry, Lieutenant Green undertook officer training at BRNC Dartmouth, passing out in April 1997. He started his flying career on Firefly aircraft at the Joint Elementary Flying Training Squadron (JEFTS), RAF Barkston Heath in June 1997. After successful completion of JEFTS in December 1997 he moved onto Basic Flying Training and the Squirrel helicopter at RAF Shawbury.
His Tri-Service flying training ended in June 1998 and he moved to RNAS Culdrose to take part in his Advanced Flying Training and Operational Flying Training, flying the Sea King helicopter with 810 Naval Air Squadron in the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Role.
He completed these courses and was posted to his first frontline tour at Prestwick in Scotland with 819 Naval Air Squadron in January 2000. During his time on this squadron he completed his ASW pilot Certificate of Competency. He served in many areas gaining a wide and varied flying experience. Towards the second half of his time on this squadron he served as the second pilot on a Type 22 Frigate Flight.
He joined 849 Squadron in May 2002.
Inscription
A beloved son, brother and friend.
Killed in a helicopter collision
North Arabian Gulf
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