I studied whenever I could and worked hard on the deck so that I could pass their exams just as their own US sailors do, so it made me very proud to get my qualification. A dangerous and intense job, the qualifications will stand him in good stead for the Royal Navy’s own future carrier strike capability. Submariner Lieutenant Matt Main is presented with the US equivalent of his Royal Navy dolphins Ĭhief Petty Officer Stacy Gager is the first British sailor to qualify as an aircraft director on a US carrier after being put through an intense training programme on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower.Ĭhief Petty Officer Gager, who is an aircraft handler by trade, is now trained to co-ordinate a continual stream of aircraft moving around the carrier as they prepare to fly or come into land on the deck. The welcome I received when I reported on board a year ago was incredibly warm and I am proud to call these men my brothers. It has been a tough process, but getting my US Navy dolphins is one of the highlights of my career and I have enjoyed every minute of it. It is a real privilege to serve on this fine submarine with such a professional, motivated crew. US Navy submarine officers must qualify both forward and aft to earn their dolphins and so, for Lieutenant Main, learning to drive the submarine both surfaced and submerged has been a unique experience. Lieutenant Main has already earned his Royal Navy ‘dolphins’ – the unique badge which signifies a qualified submariner – but on 10 June he was presented with the US equivalent after a gruelling 27-month training and qualification process.įully integrated into the crew of the USS New Mexico, Lieutenant Main is currently the damage control assistant and will become the assistant engineer in due course before returning to the Royal Navy. Submariner Lieutenant Matt Main and Chief Petty Officer Stacy Gager have been working with US colleagues as part of the US-UK personnel exchange programme and long-lead specialist skills programme.
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