HMS FLYING FOX

05/06/2026

🦊 Leadership in action at Ashton Court.

Last week, members of the ship’s company took part in a large PLT (Practical Leadership Task), based on a challenging scenario.

Those who are due to undergo leadership assessments took charge, responsible for managing the success of the various teams.

🌳 The grounds at Ashton Court provided the perfect location for a range of skills to be practiced, including;

🗣️ communication
🙋🏻‍♂️ leadership
🤝 teamwork
🏥 first aid
🤔 problem solving
✅ and many more……

Our success depends on the quality of our people and the strength of our leaders and this was on display throughout the exercise.

👏🏻 BZ to all those who took part.

Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy
Bristol University Royal Naval Unit
South West Area Sea Cadets

02/06/2026

🏅Annual Engagement prize awarded🏅

👏🏻 A huge BZ (congratulations) to AB Maddern who was recently awarded the 2026 Fox engagement prize.

This prize is awarded annually to the person who has contributed the most to engagement events over the past year.

🤝 These events are important to increase public understanding of what we do and how we contribute Royal Navy operations worldwide.

👏🏻 Well done!

Royal Naval Reserve

30/05/2026

🦊 Foxes take on Pen Y Fan 🏔️

Today, members of the ship’s company are completing a 22 mile hike through the Brecon Beacons.

This is in aid of the Military vs Cancer charity, who provide a range of support for military personnel, veterans and families affected by cancer.

If you would like to donate please follow the link below 👇

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hms-flying-fox-pen-y-fan-challenge

To find out more about this great charity follow this link 👇

https://www.militaryvscancer.com/wales-2026-including-pen-y-fan/

Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy

27/05/2026

🇬🇮 Operational training in Gibraltar 🇬🇮

🌊 AB Matt Taylor has recently completed sea boat training, as he travelled with other members of the Royal Naval Reserve to hone their skills in the busy waters off Gibraltar.

⚓️ The opportunity to conduct this training in an operational environment made it greatly beneficial.

🗣️ Matt said, “the busy waters of Gibraltar and frequently changing weather conditions ensured it was a challenging, yet rewarding few days, as we gained the sufficient skills to become a coxswain.”

They also had the benefit of training with the Gibraltar Squadron, who provide force protection for visiting warships, working through different scenarios they may face.

These exercises pushed everyone to adapt quickly and work cohesively in demanding conditions.

🛘 Beyond the training, the team also had the chance to explore Gibraltar and experience the famous caves within the Rock- a brilliant way to round off an intense and rewarding deployment.

👏🏻 BZ Matt



Royal Navy
Royal Navy Recruitment
Bristol University Royal Naval Unit
South West Area Sea Cadets

24/05/2026

⚓️ Change of Commanding Officer at HMS FLYING FOX ⚓️

🤝Last week Fox formally welcomed Lt Cdr Dom Simonis-Law as the new CO, taking command from Lt Cdr Henry Watts during a ceremonial handover.

Lt Cdr Simonis-Law brings almost two decades of experience in the Royal Naval Reserve, having completed numerous deployments and multi-national exercises.

Fox welcomed the new CO and also thanked Lt Cdr Watts for his excellent efforts over the last few years, having overseen significant success in making the unit one of the premier RNR establishments. BZ 👏

We look forward to continuing that success!

Royal Navy
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
Royal Marines Reserve Bristol
Bristol University Royal Naval Unit

21/05/2026

🛟 Dramatic rescue at sea! 🌊

⛵️ James, a Sub- Lieutenant from Fox, recently completed two-weeks sea time on the training ship TS Pelican.

Whilst on watch James, was instrumental in the discovery of a ‘man overboard’ in the Strait of Gibraltar.

He subsequently helped rescue the struggling swimmer onboard and ensured he received medical attention.

👏🏻 BZ James!

👇 For the full story, check out the link below. 👇

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/march/03/20260303-junior-navy-officers-save-swimmers-life-in-strait-of-gibraltar

Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy

Junior Royal Navy officers saved the life of a man attempting to swim one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

19/05/2026

🌊 James, a Sub-Lieutenant from HMS FLYING FOX has recently stepped away from his day job to embark on the training ship TS Pelican of London. 🌊

Originally designed as an arctic trawler, TS Pelican is now used to give up to 36 officers of both the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary additional seagoing experience. ⚓️

Joining in Antibes, France 🇫🇷, James sailed through the Gulf of Lion, across the Mediterranean Sea 🗺️ and transiting the Strait of Gibraltar before disembarking in Tangiers, Morocco 🇲🇦 . Not bad for only two weeks onboard!

This fantastic opportunity gave James a great experience of the varied roles onboard and develop his seamanship skills. This included working alongside the regular crew undertaking:

⚓️ Engineering
⚓️ Sail training
⚓️ Navigation
⚓️ Helming
⚓️ Working aloft (on the main sail)

What a brilliant experience (despite a bumpy few days!). 🌊😀

🚨 To find out more about life in the Royal Naval Reserve, see https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/royal-navy-reserves.

Bristol University Royal Naval Unit

12/05/2026

⚓️ After 30 years of dedicated service at HMS Flying Fox, we say a huge thank you and happy retirement to Roger Davey. ⚓️

For the majority of those years, Roger served as Barrack Master, responsible for a wide range of site safety and operational duties, including Health & Safety management, risk assessments, SHEF compliance checks, and fire safety responsibilities. He also coordinated helicopter operations, ensuring the site was fully prepared for safe arrivals while liaising with key stakeholders.

Before joining Fox, Roger completed a full career in the Royal Navy. He joined in April 1963 at HMS Raleigh and went on to complete more than 22 years of distinguished service, leaving as a Petty Officer in the catering branch. During his naval career, he served across a wide range of shore establishments and ships, including HMS Tiger, HMS Berwick, HMS Salisbury and HMS Sirius.

Most notably, Roger served on HMS Broadsword, a Type 22 Frigate, during the 1982 Falklands War. After taking on supplies in Gibraltar, Broadsword sailed to Ascension Island before joining the rest of the task force heading south.

Upon reaching the Falklands, the ship came under repeated attack from Argentine aircraft. During one engagement near the landings at San Carlos, a bomb struck the nose of the embarked Westland Lynx helicopter, passed through the flight deck, and exited the ship without exploding.

Broadsword was operating alongside HMS Coventry, which was hit during the same engagement and later sank. During the rescue of 170 survivors from Coventry’s crew, Roger oversaw the forward first aid party, assessing casualties and administering first aid to those brought onboard.

Since leaving the Royal Navy in 1986, Roger has continued his service to others through his work at HMS Flying Fox and as an instructor with the Sea Cadets.
His commitment, professionalism, and support over three decades have left a lasting mark on the unit and everyone who has worked alongside him.

👏🏻 Wishing Roger a long, happy, and well-earned retirement — thank you for your outstanding service!

📸 Roger is pictured with the Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Henry Watts.

Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy
Royal Navy Recruitment
Sea Cadets

01/05/2026

Help us support a great cause!

🏔️ Next month a team from HMS FLYING FOX will once again be fundraising for Military vs Cancer by taking on a 22-mile challenge through the Brecon Beacons, including the iconic Pen Y Fan.

Military vs Cancer provides a range of emotional, financial and practical support to military personnel, veterans and families affected by cancer.

Last October 5 members of the ship’s company pulled a 1 ton Field Gun for 20 miles raising over £250 for the same charity.

👇If you would like to support us by donating to the fundraising page, please click on the link below 👇

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hms-flying-fox-pen-y-fan-challenge

The military vs cancer page can be found here 👇

https://www.militaryvscancer.com

Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Navy
Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
Wessex RFCA
Bristol University Royal Naval Unit

Raising awareness and support for Military vs Cancer

18/04/2026

Reservists, including from HMS FLYING FOX , were recently invited to dine with HRH Prince Michael of Kent at the historic In and Out Club in London.

His Royal Highness, who is the honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Maritime Reserves, celebrated the accomplishments of the RNR Sub Ops Specialisation.

👇See the article below for more info.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2026/april/17/20260417-royal-dinner-reward-for-reservists-contribution-to-front-line-submarine-operations

Royal Naval Reserve
Wessex RFCA

Submariners were invited to dine with HRH Prince Michael of Kent to celebrate the contribution of reservists to front-line underwater operations.