Some ten months and nine miles of fencing later, work to replace the security fence around the entire perimeter of RNAS Culdrose is complete.

It has been a described as a “major undertaking” to keep the Royal Navy helicopter base at Helston secure, but the project has been finished ahead of schedule.

As well as the fence, several new gates have been installed and 6,600 trees planted on land away from the airfield.

More than 6,000 trees have been planted at the same time (Image: Royal Navy) The fence includes different coloured panels, some of which are a dark green, others a light green and some red and white panels.

Read more about what they mean here: Why is the new fence around RNAS Culdrose different colours?

The new fence has panels in dark green, light green, and red and white stripes (Image: Royal Navy) The work has been carried out by Littlewood Fencing Group, in a project by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), Royal Navy Command Infrastructure, VIVO Defence Services and RNAS Culdrose Infrastructure Team.

The air station’s commanding officer Captain Stuart Irwin said: “I have to congratulate all the team on completing this major work ahead of schedule. They’ve been working all this year and I am well aware that any project on this scale will inevitably create its fair share of challenges, which have all been overcome. 

“This investment also demonstrates the importance of RNAS Culdrose as the home of the UK’s maritime Merlin helicopter fleet. It recognises that the air station continues to play a central role in the defence of our nation.”

Culdrose CO Capt Stuart Irwin with Jed Finn of company Gavin Jones Grounds Maintenance, head of infrastructure Neil Howe and project manager Gareth Payne of Vivo Defence Service (Image: Royal Navy) RNAS Culdrose is the Cornwall home of the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Merlin Mk2 helicopter force, which protects UK waters and the navy’s carrier strike groups.

The air station also trains aircraft handlers, aircrew in fixed-wing Avenger aircraft, and tests and evaluates drones for use by the Royal Navy.

READ NEXT: Big changes to training provided at RNAS Culdrose

Head of Infrastructure Neil Howe, Captain Stuart Irwin, Jason Thorpe of Littlewood Group, and Gareth Payne and Terry Grimes of VIVO (Image: Royal Navy) VIVO Defence Service’s operations director Amanda Hill said: “Replacing nine miles of security fencing around one of the Royal Navy’s most strategically important air stations is quite a task and I congratulate everyone involved for completing this ahead of time and within the budget.

“I would also like to applaud the fact that 6,600 trees were planted across the base as part of this project as this will have a long-term positive impact on the environment.”