JUNIOR OFFICERS COMPLETE AIR ENGINEERING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT COURSE with Fuellers as the VIP Presenter at Ceremony
Junior Officers from the Air Engineering Systems Engineering and Management Course (SEMC(AE)), SEMC 24-001, have completed their training within the Defence College of Technical Training's Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School at HMS Sultan, part of the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering.
The passing out ceremony took place at 760 Squadron (Stephenson Hangar) with Captain Mark Kingdom, Head of Engineering for Naval Aviation division within NCHQ, serving as the VIP presenter and Ashutosh Shastri, Senior Warden of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers, also in attendance.
The officers who completed the course will now progress to their next assignments at RNAS Culdrose, RNAS Yeovilton, and RAF Marham, splitting between four forces: Merlin Helicopter Force, Commando Helicopter Force, Wildcat Maritime Force, and F-35. Each student will learn their aircraft specifics, earning a Certificate of Competency and being awarded authorisations as fully trained Air Engineer Officers, enabling them to deploy with aircraft across the globe.
The SEMC(AE) for Graduate Officers is designed to prepare junior Air Engineer Officers for their first complement appointment in the Fleet Air Arm, training and educating them to administer an Air Engineering Department, direct the maintenance and support of all engineering equipment and systems in their charge, and organise, train and manage the officers and ratings of their department.
Commander Megan Ashton, Officer Commanding RNAESS said: "As someone who has walked this path from Air Engineer Officer to commanding RNAESS, I'm immensely proud of what these graduates have achieved. The SEMC course has prepared them not just as engineers, but as leaders who will ensure the Fleet Air Arm's operational readiness. They now join a proud tradition of Royal Navy Air Engineers who keep our aircraft flying in the most demanding environments."
Thomas said: "The camaraderie within our SEMC class has been extraordinary - we've supported each other through every challenge, from technical assessments to leadership exercises. The training at HMS Sultan has given us the confidence to lead engineering teams and manage sophisticated aircraft systems. As we head off to our various assignments at Culdrose, Yeovilton, and Marham, we know we're prepared for whatever operational challenges await us. This is just the beginning of an incredible engineering career."
Our thanks go to the Worshipful Company of Fuellers and the Fuellers Charitable Trust, who sponsor our academic prizes and continue to support the development of the next generation of Air Engineer Officers.
IMAGES By Leading Photographer Baz Swainsbury.
