Britain's sole female special forces sailor killed in fatal helicopter accident – Royal Navy

Britain's navy identified one of its fatalities in a recent helicopter accident as its sole serving female commando, who was killed during a routine training exercise in southwest England on Thursday.

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The deceased, Lily-Mae Fisher, held the distinction of being Britain's only serving female Royal Navy Commando, according to the navy, and had earned her green beret after completing a grueling training course in 2022.

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This training course included a challenging 30-mile march, and Fisher, 31, had successfully overcome the hurdles to become a commando, a feat achieved by only seven women since 2001, with 17 having attempted the All Arms Commando Course.

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Fisher's accomplishments were cut short when she died in the Merlin Mk4 helicopter crash, which occurred during her final flight training assessment, just as she was set to qualify as a helicopter pilot this month.

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She was not alone in the fatal accident, as two other Royal Navy service personnel also lost their lives in the crash.

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Fisher was also known for her online presence, where she had amassed over 45,000 followers on Instagram, using the platform to discuss issues affecting women in the military, including the challenges of managing menstruation while on duty.

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The defence ministry paid tribute to Fisher, describing her as an inspiration to countless individuals, particularly young women, who drew motivation from her achievements and encouragement to pursue their dreams.