Two Somerset-based Fleet Air Arm engineers have recreated a family photograph, which their fathers were in, from 26 years ago.
Air engineering technician Harvey Lewis and leading air engineer technician Sam Skelson, who are part of Flight 05 from 815 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton, discovered the significant connection while assigned to maintain a Wildcat helicopter on HMS Iron Duke.
Harvey, 24, from Portsmouth, was chatting with his dad, Gaz, when the name Skelson caught his attention.
It turns out that Gaz, then a petty officer, served with Sam's father, Andrew Skelson, on HMS Exeter in 1999.
They were part of the team enforcing a no-fly zone over Saddam Hussein’s Iraq during Operation Bolton.
As dedicated air and ground crew, they maintained the Lynx Mk3 helicopter, the predecessor of today's Wildcat.
The duties of the Ship’s Flight have remained largely unchanged over the years, with the helicopter still relying on a team for maintenance and operation.
Tasks such as folding and spreading the aircraft’s main rotor blades at sea have seen little change in the past three decades.
Harvey said: "After talking to my dad about work and the team I have on 05 Flt, he perked up when I mentioned one particular name.
"He quickly dug through his old photographs and we discovered that he had served with Sam Skelson’s father all those years ago."
Harvey said: "It’s incredible to think that both of their sons ended up on a flight together too.
"It’s also worth noting that I’m wearing my dad’s old flight deck jacket that he wore in the original photograph."
Harvey, an air engineering technician with four years of service, and Sam, a leading air engineer technician with eight years in the Fleet Air Arm, have been serving alongside each other, just like their fathers did 26 years ago.
The original photograph, a snapshot of camaraderie and dedication, serves as a testament to the enduring spirit and tradition within the Fleet Air Arm.
Both fathers, Gaz and Andrew, have now settled down in different parts of the UK.
Gaz lives on the Isle of Wight, while Andrew, 62, resides in Leicester.
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