Charlie Wheen installed as new MCDOA President
1 Jun 2026 - I am delighted to announce that Captain Charlie Wheen RN has agreed to supersede Ben Vickery as our new President effective from today. He will remain in an acting capacity until endorsed at our online AGM on Wednesday 1 July.
Before his departure, Ben sent Martin Mackey, our Chair, this message:
Outgoing President Ben Vickery
“Hi Martin,
As I make the transition into a new and exciting civilian role it is with a heavy heart that I stand down as the associations President as of 1st June, a role which I have thoroughly enjoyed. My first dinner as an aspiring MCDO newly arrived on course was in 2002 when our course was “offered” (3 line whipped) places at the dinner in the week running up to it. From doing grace then, to being Master of Ceremonies seemed an unlikely journey at the time, but one which has been great fun, and getting back to Excellent, from the dinner in Nelson in 2022, was fantastic.
Presiding over these dinners has clearly been a highlight but so too was being the MC for official opening of the Vernon Monument back in July 2022. I thank the association for its support, particularly regarding the work that has taken place in the CD Branch Recovery. As you know this has been a project close to my heart and one which has really started to bear fruit and which has set the branch up for success for the next generation of CDs.
I am delighted to be handing over to Captain Charlie Wheen, who is the latest Captain PUXD (MFP in old money), as I was when I took up the MCDOA presidency. He is extremely well placed to ensure the next generation of MCDOs have strong links with our association. I wish him, and the association well into the future and will of course be an active member - back with my muckers in the cheap seats!
Yours aye,
Ben”
Martin Mackey, our Chair, responded with this message:
“On behalf of the MCDOA, may I thank Captain Ben for his stalwart support to our Association as our President since 2022. We wish him the very best for the future and look forward to seeing him at the dinner this year where he will be one of our leavers.
The Committee unanimously recommends Captain Charlie Wheen Royal Navy (Captain PUXD) as our next President, and we look forward to welcoming him into the role on 1 June 2026. This will need members endorsement at the AGM on 1 July 2026.
Regards,
Martin”
As described here, Ben has joined Exall to work in Mine Warfare systems development.
Incoming President Charlie Wheen
Charlie Wheen assumed the role of Captain PUXD (Patrol, Underwater Exploitation & Diving) following his promotion to Captain in January. His most recent appointment was in Command of the Type 23 frigate HMS IRON DUKE.
According to this biography:
“Charlie Wheen was educated at Wells Cathedral School and spent three years working in Peru before joining the Royal Navy in 2002.
Highlights of his early career as a junior Warfare Officer include participation in the initial phases of Operation TELIC (Gulf War 2) in HMS CHATHAM, a short-term exchange and regional deployment in the Republic of Singapore Ship RESOLUTION, and NATO exercises in northern Norway as the Gunnery Officer in HMS BANGOR.
Specialising as a Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer in 2006, he spent the following years supporting Operation KIPION MCM main effort: the protection of critical sea lanes in the Arabian Gulf. During this time he served as the Operations Officer in HM Ships BROCKLESBY, MIDDLETON and CHIDDINGFOLD, before joining the FOST(MPV) staff with responsibility for delivering mine warfare, diving and demolitions training to ships' teams generating for operations.
Charlie completed the Principal Warfare Officer course in 2013 and was appointed to HMS ARGYLL, joining her on maritime security operations in the eastern Pacific. The following year, as the Operations Officer, he guided the ship through regeneration and Fleet Ready Escort duties, before deploying to the Caribbean on counternarcotics tasking under the US-led Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, and on disaster relief tasking in support of the UK Overseas Territories.
On leaving HMS ARGYLL in 2015, he took a seven-month career break, sailing with his young family around France and travelling in Peru.
Back in uniform in 2016, he spent two highly enjoyable years in Command of MCM2 Crew 8 in minehunters HMS MIDDLETON and HMS CATTISTOCK.
During this time he returned to Operation KIPION in the Middle-East, conducted tasking in support of Homeland Defence, and deployed with the Standing NATO MCM Task Group in the Norwegian fjords and Baltic Sea.
He is a graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course (2018/19) and has completed staff assignments in Navy Command Headquarters and the Surface Flotilla Headquarters. He assumed Command of HMS IRON DUKE in May 2022.
Charlie lives in London with his wife Victoria and three children.
I am sure all members will join me in wishing Ben fair winds and a following sea and welcoming Charlie into the fold as our new President.