Royal Navy to participate in Bournemouth Air Festival | Navy Lookout

The Bournemouth Air Show starts today and will continue until Saturday 31st August. Royal Navy aircraft and P2000 boats will be taking part.

After the Navy Days and the RNAS Yeovilton and RNAS Culdrose Air Days events have passed, this is one of the rare occasions where the Royal Navy can be seen by the public.

The RN Black Cats Wildcat Helicopter team is celebrating their 20th year performing in air shows, and will be putting on a flying demonstration at the event. Navy Wings, an organization focused on preserving the history of the Fleet Air Arm, will also be showcasing the Wasp helicopter and Swordfish torpedo bomber during the event.

During the weekend, the P2000s, HMS Express, and HMS Ranger from the Coastal Forces Squadron will be based in Poole Harbour. They will be giving invited guests and visitors tours of Bournemouth Bay as part of their defense outreach activities.

The RN beach village provides hands-on activities where visitors can test out the Royal Marines' gym gear and participate in a tough obstacle course challenge. Marines will be available to talk about their various missions around the world, such as their work in Korea, the USA, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, which includes training exercises, drug interdiction, and maritime security. Visitors can also watch demonstrations by RN divers and bomb disposal experts showcasing their high-tech robots and specialized equipment, including a dive tank.

The Royal Marines Band from HMS Collingwood will put on a Beating Retreat show every evening at 6:40pm in the Lower Gardens. Before that, the Commando Recruitment team will showcase an unarmed combat display at 6:20pm.