Air Vice-Marshal Ian Townsend CBE presented medals and personally inspected fresh Navy recruits at HMS Sultan in Gosport.

The Air Officer Commanding of No 22 Group RAF, escorted by the base's Commanding Officer, Captain Mark Hamilton, gave special attention to members of the Guard of Honour, alongside Royal Navy personnel, cadets and trainees packing their sea bags for their first ship deployments.

In line with tradition, AVM Townsend handed out multiple awards honouring service and conduct. Among the recipients was LET(ME) Coull, getting the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, while WO2 Kinnaird received the Long Service and Good Conduct Clasp.

HMS Sultan, which hosted the gathering, simultaneously welcomed Rear Admiral Steven McCarthy RN - attending for the first time since being assigned Director Ship Operations and Chief Naval Engineer Officer - along with the Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Martin Pepper.

Addressing all those on parade, AVM Townsend said: "The quality of training provided by HMS Sultan and Number 22 Group is essential to the future success of our fantastic Royal Navy. My Congratulations to all those graduating today."

HMS Sultan, the Defence School of Marine Engineering and Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School are training engineers for aircraft, ships, submarines, and vehicle operations worldwide.