Royal Navy: Heroic HMS Diamond helicopter crew honoured for bravery after destroying Houthi rebel drones

A helicopter crew based on the Portsmouth-based warship HMS Diamond sustained repeated fire from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels based in Yemen - operating drones and using missiles. The Type 45 destroyer was deployed to the Red Sea at the end of 2023 to protect merchant ships.

Rebels were attacking these vessels, using the excuse that many were serving Israeli ports - with the country’s facing waging an ongoing conflict in Gaza against Hamas. During a six-month mission, HMS Diamond’s crew destroyed nine drones and a missile. The ship’s Wildcat helicopter - from 815 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset – played a vital role in keeping both the destroyer and other merchant vessels safe.

The biggest Houthi attack

Militants launched their most complex and co-ordinated attack on January 8, which was dubbed the ‘Battle of the Promised Conquest’. Houthis targeted merchant ships sailing near HMS Diamond with aerial and water-borne drones, as well as missiles. The Type 45 destroyer fended off subsequent attacks after repelling the initial wave - seven of 16 drones were neutralised.

Hazardous hydrogen chloride gas swirled around the destroyer from the successive Sea Viper missile launches to intercept the un-crewed aircraft. Pilot Lieutenant George Lunn guided the helicopter and prepared to engage with further drones. The crew also had to confirm that the surface drones which had vanished from the destroyer’s radar screens had actually sunk.

Their actions were described as “the finest feat of aviation” over the past 12 months. Lt Lunn - who has been promoted to Lieutenant Commander since the deployment ended - was awarded with Fleet Air Arm Sword at an awards dinner at the Houses of Parliament. He was also presented with the Sandison Trophy for developing weapons/tactics..

The team Vengeance 4 Flight consisted of an observer (navigator/weapons specialist), aircrewman, engineers and technicians. Heads of service praised them for their “exemplary teamwork, efficiency and courage operating in the face of the enemy”. They received the Sopwith Pup Trophy for achieving the highest level of operational capability.

Who was honoured at the ceremony?

Some 17 awards, trophies and commendations were presented at the awards evening, which covered operations and day-to-day business in the Fleet Air Arm in the presence of Veterans’ Minister Alistair Carns and senior naval aviators, led by the head of the branch Rear Admiral Anthony Rimmington.

Merlin helicopter engineer Warrant Officer 2 Leon Cole was named the ‘sailor of the year’ for his compassionate leadership and tireless efforts to improve life on 814 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, from providing mental health support to reorganising shifts which led to colleagues being less tired, more efficient and enjoying a better work/life balance.

Lieutenant Marc Jones received the Dunning Cup – in memory of the first person to land an aircraft at sea – for pushing the boundaries of the Navy’s dedicated drone squadron, 700X NAS, based at Culdrose, notably work with carrier HMS Prince of Wales to launch and recover larger fixed-wing crewless aircraft.

Full list of winners

JAC Commendation: POACMN Luke Phillips (847 NAS) and POAET Gary Holmes (845 NAS)

RAFAA Commendation: Lt Cdr M Santrian (Commando Helicopter Force)

Kelly Memorial Prize: Lt D Chowdhury (207 Sqn)

Henry Leigh Carslake Cup: Lt Cdr Houghton-Barnes (846 NAS)

Breitling Trophy: 824 NAS

Dunning Cup: Lt M Jones (700X NAS)

Dunsfold Plate: LH P England (820 NAS)

Fulmar Trophy: Lt M Bamber (Plymouth)

Cobham Trophy: Lt Cdr R Hunt (207 Sqn)

Australia Shield: 815 NAS

Queen Elizabeth Sword: Lt Cdr L Nesbit US Navy (UK Carrier Strike Group)

Sopwith Pup Trophy: Vengeance 4 flight (815 NAS)

Rolls Royce Efficiency Trophy: 820 NAS

FAA Sword and Robert Sandison Trophy: Lt G Lunn (815 NAS)

Commodore’s Cup: LAC J Moss-Straw (Surface Flotilla)

Oardacious Award: WO2 L Cole (814 NAS)