Ministry of Defence
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
RAF Merlin helicopter crews ready for Afghanistan
The first Merlin helicopter crews are ready to deploy to Afghanistan following pre-deployment training in the United States.
The Merlins, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, will deploy soon and
will provide vital support to ground operations and increase the
capacity of UK helicopter lift in Afghanistan by a further 25 per
cent.
El Centro Naval Base in California is the US Navy’s main
training base and has played host to crews from 28 and 78
Squadrons. They have been training for the unique challenges of
the Afghan environment: the hot, high and dusty conditions.
The entire fleet is undergoing a £45M upgrade programme that
will allow the helicopters to improve performance in the harsh
conditions and protect against threats. Modifications include new
rotor blades for ‘hot & high’ conditions and improved
defensive aids against hostile threats.
Merlins can carry up to 20 personnel and will provide an
additional capability to the Chinook and Lynx.
Armed Forces’ Minister Bill Rammell said:
“The Merlins will be a welcome addition to the coalition
helicopter force in Afghanistan adding to the capacity of our
battlefield helicopter capability and increasing its flexibility.”
Commander of the Joint Helicopter Force, Rear Admiral Tony
Johnstone-Burt, said:
‘Afghanistan presents the most challenging flying environment
for helicopters in the world. The high altitude, and temperatures
that soar to 50oC by day and rarely drop below 35oC at night
during the summer months, test aircraft to the limit. It has been
vital to ensure that the crews are properly prepared in a
non-hostile environment. They are now fully ready and eager to
support our forces in theatre.’
Flight Lieutenant Jim Porter, a pilot on 78 Sqn who spent 3
weeks training at El Centro stated that:
“The pre-deployment training opportunity that the exercise
has provided is second to none. To operate in an environment that
replicates the conditions that we may encounter in Afghanistan so
closely, is hugely beneficial to all taking part.”
Master Aircrew Gareth Attridge, a Lead Crewman from 78 Sqn found
the training hugely beneficial:
“As an instructor, the facilities and environment encountered
during the training in El Centro provided a perfect chance to
refresh and practise new operational skills. These have been
passed on to the Merlin crews who are shortly to deploy to
Afghanistan. Combining this training with our previous experiences
in Iraq, we feel that we are ready for the challenges that lay ahead.”
Personnel from 78 Squadron are already in Afghanistan
preparing for the arrival of the first helicopters, which are due
by the end of the year.
Notes To Editors:
Images from the US based training exercise are available at:
www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
- User Name: GuestUser
- Password: GoldenMedal
For more information contact:
Wing Commander ‘Joolz’ Parry
MOD Press Office
020 72187950
Julie.parry255@mod.uk
Squadron Leader Al Green
MOD Press Office
020 72181534
Al.green633@mod.uk
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk
