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Nuclear test medal: UK veterans to receive recognition after years-long campaign

Veterans of Britain’s nuclear test programme are to receive a newly designed medal in time for Remembrance Day, the government says.

The release of the design follows a years-long fight for recognition by veterans and their families, who said exposure to nuclear tests had caused cancer and premature deaths among thousands of people who took part, as well as causing health problems for their families.

The first medals will be available in time for Remembrance Sunday on 12 November, the government said. However, they will not be issued automatically – veterans and relatives wanting posthumous recognition will need to apply, and survivors will be prioritised over next of kin

Britain's Top Guns - The Fleet Air Arm Story

 

It is the little known, but epic, saga of Britain’s naval aviation from its earliest days in 1908 and WWI’s Royal Naval Air Service, to the cutting-edge Fleet Air Arm of today’s Royal Navy.

Flying from ships at sea puts unique pressures on air and ground crew in some of the most hostile environments and operational circumstances on earth.
This is a story about the world’s oldest naval aviation service and the men and women who, for more than a century, have done their duty in conflicts all over the world, and still do so today. It’s a story that deserves to be told

Retired Metoc Steve Howard at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial 31 March 2023

Steve is the smart one

Steve is a well-travelled man. His exploits, along with the Menin Gate story can be followed in his blog at https://www.driverandchef.co.uk/2023-greece/to-istanbul

Fly Navy Federation

The Fly Navy Federation was set up as an umbrella organisation enabling all the Fleet Air Arm Associations to maintain a common contact point with each other and to pull together when appropriate. With the amalgam of all the Associations there is a wealth of knowledge and experience which could be of use in helping and supporting those currently serving.

Although the FNF has brought all the FAA Associations together, it is a very loose alliance allowing the individual groups to retain their autonomy. The aim of the Federation is to assist in promoting significant anniversaries and celebrations and to assist those currently serving to promote the Fleet Air Arm in all its facets and to ensure that it maintains a profile that is to the forefront of public awareness.

A secondary aim is to promote the individual associations, some of whom help to keep ‘dead’ branches alive and prevent them from disappearing onto oblivion; others are still functioning but sadly their very existence may come into question. Many individual associations maintain links with those currently serving and the Federation will support, where possible, any campaigns involving the retention and viability of any part or former part of the FAA.

The Federation march as a body each Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph, following this with their own Service of Remembrance at the FAA Memorial on the Embankment. They are also responsible, as a group, for instigating the placing of plaques around the FAA Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. In addition the FNF had considerable input into the 2009 celebration to commemorate 100 years of naval aviation under the banner of Fly Navy 100.

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FAA Buccaneer Association
Cloudobservers
Aircrewmans Association
Junglie Association
FAAOA Fleet Air Arm Officers Association
Fulmar Association
Royal Navy Safety Equipment and Survival Association
Royal Navy Photographers Association
The Channel Dash Association
FAA Armourers Association
The Anyface Association
FAA Field Gun Crew Association
Aircraft Handlers Association
Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton
Sea Harrier Association

To contact the FNF Secretary: