The Commando Helicopter Force
New ‘Wings’ at RNAS Culdrose
by G Wilkinson, Acting Public Relations Officer
Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has welcomed a new head of flying operations and training in the role colloquially known as ‘Wings’ Lt Col Neil Brighouse RM. Based in the Control Tower at the Cornish air station, Lt Col Brighouse now oversees all flying and those sections directly linked to the aerodrome, such as Air Traffic Control and the Fire Station.
He also has overarching responsibility for the welfare and development of those trainees who have recently joined the Royal Navy as trainee air engineers and aircraft handlers. He took over the role, properly titled ‘Commander Air and Training’, from Cdr Ian Fraser RN on 31 March 2025. Lt Col Brighouse is the first Royal Marine to take up the role at Culdrose at a time when a fellow RM is the Wings of sister air station RNAS Yeovilton.
‘Wings’ Lt Col Brighouse RM
He said ‘This is the first time both positions have been filled by Royal Marines, there’s no particular reason, purely coincidence. We are selected for the role from a pool of our Royal Navy peers.’ He added: ‘I am looking forward to the challenge of managing the airfield and supporting the activity of Merlin Helicopter Force and the other squadrons that are based here.’