1419 Flt RAF, Merlin Det – This week, the Merlin det supported a large US Marine Corps operation in the south of the country utilising their FARE capability. FARE is the Forward Air Refuelling Equipment which, for the Merlin, is almost entirely built into the aircraft. Using the fuel pumps and dumping system the Merlin can donate fuel either directly to another aircraft or into a storage system. This was used to great effect in supporting an immediate response aircraft at an austere FOB without the need for heavy or bulky equipment at short notice and with no engineering implications.

Photography:RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2011