THREE Royal Navy Hawk T1 jets were pictured flying over RNAS Yeovilton on Thursday to mark the aircraft's retirement from military service. 

The jets were based out of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall and were used to train Royal Navy and NATO ships in air defence.

It was announced in the Royal Navy's Integrated Review last year that the Hawk T1 was set to be retired except for service in the Red Arrows. 

It was also decided that the 736 Naval Air Squadron would be decommisioned at the end of March 2022. 

Pilots of the Hawk T1 in the squadron provided 'airborne threat simulations that allowed for realistic training at sea'. 

On Thursday, March 17, three Hawk jets took off from RNAS Culdrose and flew past Plymouth before reaching Yeovilton, where instructors from the Royal Navy School of Fighter Control watched from the airfield to bid them farewell. 

The jets then flew to their other principle training sites at Bournemouth Airport and Portsmouth before landing at HMS Gannet at Priestwick, Scotland.

On March 18, the jets flew back to Cornwall with flypasts of RAF Valley in Anglesey, Pembrey, and Newquay. 

The view from the air over #Portsmouth harbour @HMNBPortsmouth today from the #736NAS @RoyalNavy Hawk jets. pic.twitter.com/ShBs1skGVM

Lieutenant Commander Jason Flintham, commanding officer of 736 Naval Air Squadron, said: “It has to be acknowledged that this is a sad day for everyone involved with the Hawks, but we should not lose sight of the significant contribution these aircraft have made to defence.

“I think it’s fair to say that the Hawks jets have been the outstanding workhorse of the military.

“They’ve been used by 736 Naval Air Squadron to train Royal Navy and NATO frontline assets since 2013.

“We’ve used them to train ships’ companies against incoming aircraft or to simulate missile attack, as well as training Royal Navy fighter controllers.

“Other roles include training air traffic controllers, airborne surveillance and control crews and aiding radar development.

“We’ve also regularly taken part in large multi-national NATO exercises, such as Exercise Joint Warrior off Scotland.

“Of course, it’s not just about these superb aircraft.

“A squadron is comprised of the men and women whose professionalism and dedication makes the squadron a success and deliver its defence aims.

“We thank everyone who has served over the years including those in industry and the military.”

#Cornwall & Scillies from 8.3 mile high club. @RNASCuldrose Hawk Jet flying at 44,000 ft - awesome view of curvature of the #Earth #flynavy pic.twitter.com/632V5TiTas

Some of the squadron's pilots have now joined training programmes for the UK’s next-generation F35B Lightning jets, which operate from the navy’s aircraft carriers.

The jets flew over RNAS Yeovilton on their farewell flight last week. Picture: Jason Bryant

Staff members in the control tower at RNAS Yeovilton during the flyover. Picture: Jason Bryant

The Hawk T1 jet is being retired from service except for the Red Arrows. Picture: Jason Bryant

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