RAF Lossiemouth News

MBE for Pioneer P-8 Pilot

Image shows aviator holding medal.

Team Lossie’s very own Squadron Leader Mark Faulds was recently honoured at Buckingham Palace, as he received an MBE for his contributions to Project Seedcorn.


Project Seedcorn was a multi-nation effort to ensure Maritime Patrol skills were kept alive after the Nimrod was retired from service in 2011. Based out of NAS Jacksonville in the USA, Mark was involved in the training of almost 40 aircrew of all specialisations from the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Image shows RAF Pilot in the cockpit.


When the decision was made in 2015 to purchase the Poseidon MRA1, the project was given a boost and Mark was tasked with training the first 4 RAF Crews. On receiving his MBE from HRH Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, Mark said:


“I’m incredibly honoured to receive my MBE from HRH Prince William, the Duke of
Cambridge. Without the dedication, professionalism and help of all the Project Seedcorn personnel and
our close Allies, I would not be in this position. It is them, and their families, I wish to thank
for making the entire Poseidon venture such a great success.”

Squadron Leader Mark Faulds

Mark joined the RAF in 1990, and after completing flying training, flew the Nimrod MR2. After being selected to be a Qualified Flying Instructor, he taught on the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde Air Squadrons. His excellence in the air led him to instruct flying on the Nimrod MR2 and he later became project pilot on Nimrod MRA4.


After 8 years as Officer Commanding Project Seedcorn in Jacksonville, Mark returned to the UK in 2020 to take up the position of the UK’s P-8A Poseidon Chief Flying Instructor until he left the RAF in 2021 to become the P-8 Pilot instructor with Boeing Defence UK.

Image shows RAF aviator shaking hands with His Royal Highness Duke of Cambridge.


With over 6000 flying hours under his belt, Mark has now re-joined the RAF as a Reservist in a flying role. When asked what they spoke about at the ceremony, Mark said:


“He was really keen to talk about Poseidon and RAF Lossiemouth and was really
impressed with the story so far.”

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