Episode 040

LH Den Vuqitrna

Den joined the Royal Navy in 2008 and served for 8 years in the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), as a Aircraft Engineer, reaching the rank of Leading Hand.

In this episode Den talks about joining the Royal Navy, including basic training at HMS Raleigh, and what it was like being part of ‘Roll-on/Roll-off’ travelling along the Suez Canal down to Somalia. Plus he talks about serving on HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious, whilst being certified on multiple aircraft, including the famous Harrier jump jet.

Den also shares being stationed at RNAS (Royal Naval Air Station) Yeovilton, taking part in Judo as part of the Royal Navy Judo squad, and being deployed to Afghanistan. He describes how he felt during a certain part of his service with discrimination, and how that impacted the end of his career.