Aircraft controller from Barnham gets top award from Royal Navy

Jack Stait from Barnham, a leading aircraft controller in the Royal Nay, has been awarded the commodore's cup. He received his award from Commanding Officer of HMS Collingwood, Captain Catherine Jordan. Picture: Keith Woodland, Crown Copyright.

Jack Stait, 25, who joined the Navy in 2015, received the first ever Royal Navy Air Traffic Management Commodore’s Cup. It was presented at a ceremonial prizegiving at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire.

The award was presented to Jack for the valuable contribution to the development and delivery of aircraft control (AC) operations from April, 2019, to March this year.

His citation reads: “Early into the WESTLANT 19 Strike group deployment HMS Dragon suffered a loss of Aircraft Control capability when their sole controller was returned to the UK. LAC Stait, who was HMS Queen Elizabeth’s only AC at the time, was loaned with only 24 hours’ notice.

“He embarked in the unfamiliar Type 45, and wasted no time in integrating into the operations team onboard, demonstrating outstanding flexibility and resilience.

“He transferred his considerable carrier aviation knowledge into his new temporary platform and consistently advised his command on wider aviation operations being conducted within the strike group.

“His positive attitude, proactive character and high professional standards saw him adopt the additional aviation tasks and responsibilities usually owned by permanent ships company, and not normally tackled by augmentees.”

Jack said: “This was thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding, and included multiple drug busts.”

Speaking of receiving his award Jack added: “I was surprised to say the least when the Commanding Officer rang me whilst I was at home to tell me about the award.

“It is satisfying for myself that the work was just acknowledged.”