HMS Sherwood

19/05/2026

⚓ FROM THE QUARTERDECK – WEEKLY UPDATES FROM HMS WILDFIRE ⚓

This week at HMS WILDFIRE, personnel received a briefing on the Pan Defence Skills Framework (PDSF) and what it means for us as members of the Royal Naval Reserve.

The session highlighted one of the RNR’s greatest strengths, the extraordinary breadth of civilian expertise our people bring alongside their military training. From vehicle maintenance and engineering to policy development and ministerial advice, the discussion showcased the depth of professional knowledge held across the unit.

The PDSF provides Defence with a clearer and more structured way to identify, capture, and validate these transferable skills. By recognising both civilian and military expertise, the framework will help improve how personnel are matched to roles, strengthen operational effectiveness, and ensure Defence makes the best possible use of the talent available across the Force.

For reservists in particular, this represents a significant opportunity to better integrate the specialist skills developed in civilian careers into Defence capability.

09/05/2026

Today our trailer is at Newark Showground as part of the Nottinghamshire County Show.

Come and try our full-motion Pacific 24 seaboat simulator - can you complete a real Royal Navy training mission.

Don't worry - our reservists will be on hand to show you the ropes and talk you through it! 🌊🚢

Our stand is right at the entrance to the Festival of Food, under the big White Ensign. Come and learn more about life in the Royal Naval Reserve, what RNR training is like and how we support the Royal Navy around the world.

East Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association
Royal Marines Reserve Nottingham
Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottinghamshire Live
Central District Sea Cadets
Newark Advertiser

24/03/2026

Keeping Britain and our allies safe in the Middle East has been our focus since the beginning of the conflict.

What does that look like? Here’s how we’re working side by side with our allies to strengthen regional security.

Reinforcing Qatar’s air defence 🇶🇦
We've extended our RAF Typhoon deployment, sent more jets, and provided expert operational advice working side by side with our Qatari counterparts.

Protecting UAE airspace 🇦🇪
Our Typhoons are flying defensive missions over the UAE, and UK specialists have provided counter-drone advice, to protect against airborne threats

Supporting Bahrain’s defensive readiness 🇧🇭
We've extended UK Typhoon flights in defence of Bahraini airspace and shared expertise on countering drones.

Partnering with Saudi Arabia on air defence 🇸🇦
Our air defence team has been on the ground since 2022, working closely with the Kingdom’s Armed Forces to protect critical national infrastructure.

Strengthening Kuwait’s air command and control 🇰🇼
RAF specialists are supporting Kuwait to keep military airspace secure.

Deepening cooperation with Oman 🇴🇲
Our strong partnership with Oman continues. This includes helping to evacuate British nationals from the region on charter flights.

Bolstering our presence in Cyprus 🇨🇾
We've strengthened our bases in Cyprus with additional Typhoons, F-35s, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, radar, and counter-drone systems. HMS Dragon, our Type 45 Destroyer, is also on its way to bolster regional air defence.

Safeguarding Jordan’s skies 🇯🇴
From the start, our Typhoon and F-35B jets have intercepted Iranian drones and UK airspace control have worked side-by-side with our Jordanian allies.

Countering drone threats over the region 💪
RAF Regiment personnel are taking down drones in support of regional security.

22/03/2026

Reservists from HMS Sherwood were among those taking part in the valuable opportunities of Exercise Northern Star

Making full use of the facilities at HMS CALLIOPE and the Tyneside area, this was a weekend of building key maritime skills like:

🚢 Seamanship
👨‍🚒 Firefighting
🤕 First Aid
🛟 Sea Survival

These are core skills that reservists have to be able to bring out when they deploy ar sea with the Royal Navy.

⬇️ Check the comments for more pictures of members HMS Sherwood taking part in the exercise.

Fifty Royal Naval Reservists from across the UK converged on Tyneside for a weekend’s intense training to hone collective skills.

25/02/2026

HMS Sherwood is taking part in Exercise Northern Star in March. ⬆⭐

We're eagerly looking forward to going to Tyneside to join HMS HMS CALLIOPE and others from around the Royal Naval Reserve for some great experiences to teach, refresh and expand on those all-important operational skills. 💪

09/02/2026

We Asked 📣
You Answered ✋️

Over the weekend this page passed a big milestone. We've welcomed some new followers in 2026 and our virtual ship' company now stands 1600 strong!

Thanks to everyone who shared, liked, commented on and talked about our stories, our 2025 goal to get a 'virtual aircraft carrier' ship's company of followers for the East Midlands went above and beyond 💪

And it's kept growing! ⬆️⏫️

Welcome Aboard to those who have recently started following this page.

Stay tuned to follow the journeys, stories and work of our Royal Naval Reservists in the East Midlands and - quite literally - all around the globe 🌍.





Royal Navy
Royal Naval Reserve
East Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association
University Royal Naval Unit
Sea Cadets

04/02/2026

"No substitute has yet been found by any service in any country that will swiftly instil discipline into large numbers of personnel as parade drills do, though many have been thought out and tried.

They also demonstrate organisation and leadership, and by decentralisation of command from the Parade Commander to a platoon or unit commander they provide opportunities for all to develop and exercise powers of leadership and to study the reaction to such examples in others.

However anachronistic it may seem, Ceremonial Training is still an integral part of our business at Ship, Command and State level. It provides us with the wherewithal to achieve the standards I would wish to maintain."

So said a former First Sea Lord, the late Admiral Sir Michael Boyce, and there really is nothing to add.

Sherwood is proud to act as a centre of excellent for ceremonial and parade training, sharing the experience and skills of our staff to develop, maintain and improve this vital part of military training and life.

Last weekend saw people from throughout the Royal Naval Reserve, as well as shipmates and partners from University Royal Naval Units, Sea Cadets and more come to HMS Sherwood for a weekend of training, practice and development in drill and ceremonies.

Royal Navy
East Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

31/01/2026

It's been a January of new challenges, new skills and new steps at HMS Sherwood. 🆕️

This weekend we have two Recruits down at HMS Raleigh, embarking on their Confirmation Course - the final stage of their initial training.👀

Commander Brooks handed Jack and Charley an HMS Sherwood cap tally to wear on their passing out parades.

Good luck to both of you - dig out, enjoy the experience and we'll welcome you back as Royal Naval Reserve ABs! 👏

Other Recruits, Cadets and Young Officers have been putting their teamwork and leadership skills to the test, in the unit and outside it in all the recent weather conditions, as well as joining other reservists from around the UK on national courses.

From getting bergens across 'minefields' and evacuating casualties to having to build a giant skittle alley in 15 minutes, these exercises are about problem-solving, coordination, working together and leadership - skills that are much better learned than taught. 💪

It's about building up our people, their capability and their confidence - so they're ready to work, lead and win in challenging situations all over the world. 🌍

This is at the heart of what we do.






Royal Navy
East Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadets Association
Royal Marines Reserve Nottingham
Nottinghamshire Live