Lieutenant Commander Martin 'Florry' Ford has served with the Royal Navy for over 30 years.
When he joined the service in 1979 his initial role was that of a caterer. He moved to flying duties in 1983 and he is currently a helicopter observer at HMS Gannet's Scottish search and rescue unit where he has been for the last two years.
His time with the Royal Navy as part of the Fleet Air Arm has seen him deploy to many areas of conflict around the world as a helicopter observer, a job which involves navigation and risk analysis while in the air, as well as winch operation, and he has trained many observers flying in helicopters ranging from the Lynx to Sea Kings.
His initial time was spent on 820Â Squadron and between his first operational job and arriving at HMS Gannet he has flown with a subsequent eight different naval air squadrons.
In the world of search and rescue, Lt Cdr Ford has carried out over 500 missions, a record only held by a few in the Fleet Air Arm.
He was recognised this year in the military operational honours list with a Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air for a difficult rescue in the Scottish Highlands. He has previously been awarded the Air Force Cross for a rescue role in the devastating Boscastle flood in 2004.
Lt Cdr Ford celebrated notching up his 5,000 flying hours with his colleagues and a special cake. HMS Gannet's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Bryan Nicholas, said:
"This really is a fantastic achievement. Florry brings a huge amount of experience and enthusiasm to the job, and is a very important member of my team here. Not just the sheer amount of hours he has flown, but to notch up over 500 search and rescue missions is a great accomplishment.
"We're delighted to have been able to share this moment with him and a celebratory cake, which definitely seemed the order of the day.
"Extremely committed to life in the Fleet Air Arm and with a real passion for flying, Florry is always one to volunteer for a rescue. He has a real 'can do' ethos and is consistent in getting the job done.
"It gives him great personal satisfaction to be able to help people and to know that what he does makes a difference."
Captain Graeme Mackay, Commanding Officer of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, echoed these sentiments, saying:
"Having known Florry for many years I am delighted to see him reach this huge and impressive milestone in his flying career.
"It ranks him among a select few who are qualified on many helicopter types, flying all over the world on operations, so his career is a real inspiration to us all and I add my warmest congratulations to him."
Lt Cdr Ford said:
"The cake was a real surprise, particularly to think someone had gone to the trouble of organising it. I am lucky to undertake a job I really enjoy, it's challenging and you never know what's around the corner.
"I have had the opportunity to operate both in armed conflict and the search and rescue role where I have had the honour of working alongside some of the best crews in the Navy, hopefully making a difference.
"With some time remaining of my career I hope to have the opportunity to gain further flying experience as every day is a learning day."