A MIDSHIPMAN from Salisbury has celebrated his formal commissioning as a Royal Navy Officer on parade at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC).

Joseph Huckstep, 25, was one of 115 officer cadets who took part in the parade, watched by their families, friends and distinguished guests, including General Sir Nicholas Houghton, Chief of Defence Staff, who was the VIP inspecting officer.

To earn his place on the parade ground the budding naval pilot completed an intensive 30-week training course, which was split into three 10-week phases. H2 said: “I joined the Royal Navy as a pilot for the unique challenge of flying from warships, around the globe, in a job that will never be routine. It is incredibly rewarding to complete the initial officer training course at BRNC, Dartmouth. “I’m looking forward to continuing on to flying training and eventually gaining my naval ‘wings’ as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm.”