Members of 849 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, paid their respects to six members of their aircrew who lost their lives in a helicopter crash during the early stages of the Iraq war, at an emotional ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the conflict.
Serving and past members of the squadron, along with family and friends, gathered for the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Invited guests and squadron comrades read tributes to those who lost their lives in the crash.
The accident happened on March 22 2003, when two Sea King helicopters collided over the Northern Gulf, killing all six Royal Navy Aircrew and an American Navy exchange officer who was based on the Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal.
They were supporting land operations and carrying out airborne surveillance across Southern Iraq during the Al-Faw assault by Royal Marines of 42 Commando and the Junglie Sea Kings from Commando Helicopter Force
The Reverend Simon Springett, Padre at RNAS Culdrose in 2003, and Reverend Tudor Botwood, HMS Ark Royal's Chaplain during Operation Telic, lead the act of worship, remembering the shock both in Cornwall and on the ship on hearing the sad news 10 years ago.
Lieutenant Commander Dave Crimmen, who was the senior pilot on A Flight of 849 NAS at the time, said: "We were a close knit group then all of a sudden there was this accident. It's important to remember the men who died. It's an emotional time for a lot of us who were serving at the time."
He and 14 other serving and past squadron members had cycled over 400 miles to the memorial service from RNAS Culdrose to raise money for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities.
A memorial plaque and an anniversary bench dedicated to the crews who lost their lives were also unveiled during the day.
Serving and past members of the squadron, along with family and friends, gathered for the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Invited guests and squadron comrades read tributes to those who lost their lives in the crash.
The accident happened on March 22 2003, when two Sea King helicopters collided over the Northern Gulf, killing all six Royal Navy Aircrew and an American Navy exchange officer who was based on the Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal.
They were supporting land operations and carrying out airborne surveillance across Southern Iraq during the Al-Faw assault by Royal Marines of 42 Commando and the Junglie Sea Kings from Commando Helicopter Force
The Reverend Simon Springett, Padre at RNAS Culdrose in 2003, and Reverend Tudor Botwood, HMS Ark Royal's Chaplain during Operation Telic, lead the act of worship, remembering the shock both in Cornwall and on the ship on hearing the sad news 10 years ago.
Lieutenant Commander Dave Crimmen, who was the senior pilot on A Flight of 849 NAS at the time, said: "We were a close knit group then all of a sudden there was this accident. It's important to remember the men who died. It's an emotional time for a lot of us who were serving at the time."
He and 14 other serving and past squadron members had cycled over 400 miles to the memorial service from RNAS Culdrose to raise money for Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charities.
A memorial plaque and an anniversary bench dedicated to the crews who lost their lives were also unveiled during the day.
