A woman has been appointed as base warrant officer at RNAS Culdrose for the first time in the Helston air station’s history.

Warrant Officer Julie Wilde will advise the commanding officer on matters affecting the welfare and morale of the men and women who serve at Culdrose.

Akin to a regimental sergeant major in the army, the base warrant officer (BWO) is responsible for maintaining military standards amongst serving personnel, and as a badge of office carries a smart silver-topped cane to alert everyone of his or her presence.

In her appointment as BWO, Warrant Officer Wilde assumes the mantle of senior warrant officer at Culdrose and is also the president of the warrant officers’ and senior rates’ mess.

Julie Wilde joined the Royal Navy in 1980 and on completion of basic training at HMS Mercury near Portsmouth qualified as a radio operator. She served at various overseas communication centres including in the headquarters of the British Forces Falkland Islands.

Promoted to warrant officer in 2000, she was earmarked for a variety of training appointments culminating in the post of training warrant officer responsible for the duty of care of naval personnel at RNAS Culdrose. Julie took up her appointment this month and lives with her husband, Neil, near Helston.